What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedA Monster Calls
J. A. Bayona · Film · 2016
If you loved A Monster Calls, start with Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (Guillermo del Toro, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to A Monster Calls across media.
If you loved A Monster Calls, you are drawn to stories where childhood grief and trauma manifest through dark, otherworldly encounters.
Books on the same thread
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling · Book
Shares a thread with A Monster Calls: magical realism.
Like A Monster Calls, this story explores the burdens of a young boy facing extraordinary challenges, blending the trials of growing up with a hidden, magical world.
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Explores: Greek mythology in modern settings, Coming-of-age, Found family.
This pick captures the same feeling of a young protagonist grappling with a hidden, high-stakes reality while navigating the complex social pressures of middle school life.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares 2 threads with A Monster Calls: Children's Fantasy, Coming-of-Age Story.
Fans of A Monster Calls will appreciate how this narrative anchors a young boy's journey through isolation and destiny within a world defined by its magical, hidden rules.
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt · Book · 2016
Explores: Grief, Loss, Art and Obsession.
This novel mirrors the profound emotional weight found in A Monster Calls, focusing on how a young person processes the devastating loss of a parent through haunting circumstances.
Series on the same thread
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2016
Explores: Chosen One, Secret World, Coming of Age.
Much like A Monster Calls, this adventure forces an ordinary teenager to reconcile the demands of a secret, supernatural world with the challenges of their everyday life.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Explores: Orphanhood, Good vs Evil, Coded Messages.
This series reflects the somber, gothic tone of A Monster Calls, focusing on children who must find strength in the face of overwhelming adversity and persistent, looming threats.
The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Family Secrets, Mental Illness.
If A Monster Calls resonated with you, this story offers a similar deep dive into how unresolved childhood trauma and grief linger within a family's haunted history.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Unexplained Phenomena, First-hand Testimony, Atmospheric Horror.
This collection of personal accounts captures the same unsettling atmosphere of the supernatural that frames the emotional landscape of A Monster Calls through first-hand, mysterious experiences.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
While tonally distinct from A Monster Calls, this podcast provides an intimate look at the human need for connection, echoing the protagonist's search for understanding and genuine companionship.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is A Monster Calls appropriate for a 12-year-old?
A Monster Calls features a 12-year-old protagonist dealing with his mother's terminal illness and bullying. The film explores these mature emotional themes through the lens of a fantasy encounter, making it relevant to the age of the main character, though parents should consider the serious nature of the subject matter.
What is the primary theme of A Monster Calls?
The primary theme of A Monster Calls is the process of coping with grief and loss. The story follows a young boy who receives help from an ancient tree monster to navigate the difficult reality of his mother's terminal illness and the challenges he faces with bullies at school.
Does A Monster Calls involve supernatural elements?
Yes, A Monster Calls features supernatural elements through the presence of an ancient tree monster. This creature appears to the 12-year-old protagonist to guide him through his emotional struggles, serving as a central figure in his journey to process his mother's terminal illness and his experiences with school bullies.
Is A Monster Calls a story about bullying?
A Monster Calls addresses bullying as a key part of the protagonist's life. While the core of the narrative focuses on the boy coping with his mother's terminal illness, his encounters with the tree monster help him manage the stress caused by his difficult experiences with bullies at school.