If you loved
A Monster Calls
J. A. Bayona · Film · 2016
What hooked you in A Monster Calls was the raw, emotional collision between childhood vulnerability and the overwhelming weight of grief.
Books on the same thread
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Explores: Greek mythology in modern settings, Coming-of-age, Found family.
Like the protagonist of A Monster Calls, Percy navigates a world where ancient, mythical forces intersect with the painful, confusing realities of growing up and finding one's own identity.
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.
Much like the young boy in A Monster Calls, Harry finds refuge from a harsh reality in a hidden magical world that forces him to confront his destiny.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 3)
J.K. Rowling · Book · 2017
Shares 2 threads with A Monster Calls: Children's Fantasy, Magical Realism.
This story mirrors the atmospheric tension of A Monster Calls, using the intrusion of the supernatural to mirror the protagonist's internal struggle with looming danger and personal loss.
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt · Book · 2013
Explores: grief and bereavement, obsession and addiction, found family.
This novel echoes the profound exploration of grief found in A Monster Calls, focusing on how a young man processes his mother's death through the lens of emotional trauma.
Series on the same thread
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2016
Explores: Chosen One, Secret World, Coming of Age.
If the monster-driven escapism of A Monster Calls resonated with you, this series offers a similar narrative where an ordinary teen is thrust into a secret, dangerous world.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Explores: Orphanhood, Good vs Evil, Coded Messages.
These orphans navigate a dark, gothic world of incompetence and tragedy, mirroring the way A Monster Calls uses a bleak, stylized setting to frame the experience of childhood trauma.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Unexplained Phenomena, First-hand Testimony, Atmospheric Horror.
The supernatural encounters in this podcast capture the same unsettling, atmospheric mystery that defines the tree monster’s presence in A Monster Calls, grounding the bizarre in raw human experience.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
While comedic, this podcast probes the same longing for deep connection and authentic human relationships that drives the emotional core of the young character in A Monster Calls.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is A Monster Calls appropriate for younger children?
A Monster Calls deals with heavy emotional themes including a mother's terminal illness and bullying. Because the narrative focuses on a 12-year-old boy coping with these difficult life experiences, it is generally intended for audiences who can process mature subject matter regarding grief and loss.
What is the main premise of A Monster Calls?
A Monster Calls follows a 12-year-old boy named Conor who is struggling with his mother's terminal illness and daily bullying at school. He is visited by an ancient tree monster who helps him navigate these complex emotions and cope with the reality of his difficult situation.
Does A Monster Calls involve supernatural elements?
Yes, a central element of A Monster Calls is the appearance of an ancient tree monster. This creature visits the 12-year-old protagonist to guide him through the process of dealing with his mother's illness and the challenges he faces at school.
How does the tree monster help the protagonist in A Monster Calls?
In A Monster Calls, the ancient tree monster acts as a guide for the 12-year-old boy. The creature helps him process his feelings regarding his mother's terminal illness and provides support as he deals with the stress of being bullied by his peers at school.