What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved3Below: Tales of Arcadia
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2018
If you loved 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, start with Elio (Domee Shi, 2025) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to 3Below: Tales of Arcadia across media.
You loved 3Below: Tales of Arcadia for the way it balances high-stakes interstellar threats with the awkward, human challenges of finding your place.
Books on the same thread
The Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu · Book
Explores: Existential threat, Technological singularity, Societal collapse.
Like 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, this story explores the massive scale of alien contact, focusing on the existential tension and societal shifts caused by extraterrestrial forces arriving on Earth.
THE ADVENTURE ZONE: STORY AND SONG
Clint McElroy et al · Book
Explores: found family, heroic quest, self-discovery.
Much like the core group in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, these characters navigate a journey of self-discovery while relying on the strength of their found family to survive.
The Bad Guys
Aaron Blabey · Book
Explores: Redemption, Unlikely friendships, Subverting tropes.
If the comedic subversion of tropes in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia kept you engaged, you will appreciate how these misunderstood protagonists challenge perceptions while navigating their own unique adventures.
Nimona
ND Stevenson · Book
Explores: found family, moral ambiguity, anti-hero.
This story mirrors the outsider dynamic found in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, highlighting a chaotic but loyal bond between characters who are constantly struggling to blend in.
Films on the same thread
Elio
Domee Shi · Film · 2025
Shares 2 threads with 3Below: Tales of Arcadia: Fish Out of Water, Animated Sci-Fi Comedy.
This cosmic misadventure perfectly captures the fish-out-of-water spirit of 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, following a protagonist who must navigate intergalactic diplomacy while discovering his true potential among aliens.
Nimona
Troy Quane · Film · 2023
Explores: Outsider Acceptance, Challenging Societal Norms, Redemption.
You will recognize the heart of 3Below: Tales of Arcadia in this tale of an unlikely duo working together to challenge societal norms while being treated like outsiders.
Ron's Gone Wrong
Sarah Smith · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with 3Below: Tales of Arcadia: Animated Sci-Fi Comedy.
Similar to the technology-driven humor in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, this film explores the bond between a boy and his malfunctioning robot while navigating the complexities of social isolation.
Flow
Film · 2024
Explores: Resilience, Inter-species Cooperation, Environmental Change.
This story echoes the resilience found in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, showcasing how disparate individuals must form an inter-species alliance to adapt to a world that feels entirely foreign.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The improvised group dynamics here reflect the same charm seen in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, where a ragtag crew manages to find humor and success amidst constant high-fantasy danger.
Reply All
Gimlet · Podcast · 2026
Explores: internet subcultures, modern connectivity, technological ethics.
If the modern, tech-savvy humor of 3Below: Tales of Arcadia resonated with you, this exploration of digital culture provides a grounded, investigative look at how we navigate modern life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of 3Below: Tales of Arcadia?
3Below: Tales of Arcadia follows two royal teen aliens who crash-land on Earth. While on the run from intergalactic bounty hunters, they must attempt to blend in with humans to survive their time on the planet.
Who created 3Below: Tales of Arcadia?
3Below: Tales of Arcadia was created by Guillermo del Toro. The series premiered in 2018 and focuses on the struggles of alien royalty hiding on Earth after their spacecraft crashes.
Is 3Below: Tales of Arcadia about humans?
No, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia is about two royal teen aliens. Although they are forced to live among humans after crash-landing on Earth, they are actively hiding their true identities while evading intergalactic bounty hunters.
Why are the main characters hiding in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia?
The main characters in 3Below: Tales of Arcadia are hiding because they are royal teen aliens on the run. They must conceal their identities from humans to stay safe while evading the intergalactic bounty hunters pursuing them.