What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedA Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler · Book · 1999
If you loved A Series of Unfortunate Events, start with Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (Brad Silberling, 2004) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to A Series of Unfortunate Events across media.
If you loved A Series of Unfortunate Events, you crave stories where sharp, gothic wit meets the struggle against eccentric, overwhelming conspiracies.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Brad Silberling · Film · 2004
Adaptation
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Films on the same thread
The Addams Family
Barry Sonnenfeld · Film · 1991
Explores: Macabre Humor, Family Secrets, Outsiders.
Like A Series of Unfortunate Events, this film celebrates the macabre, focusing on an outsider family navigating bizarre, threatening situations with a dark sense of humor and resilience.
Se7en
David Fincher · Film · 1995
Explores: Moral Decay, Urban Decay, Good vs Evil.
If A Series of Unfortunate Events hit, Se7en shares the thread.
Knives Out
Rian Johnson · Film · 2019
Explores: Family Secrets, Wealth and Privilege, Inheritance.
This whodunit mirrors the inheritance-focused stakes of A Series of Unfortunate Events, pairing a dysfunctional family dynamic with a sharp, inquisitive detective investigating a complex, sudden death.
Addams Family Values
Barry Sonnenfeld · Film · 1993
Shares a thread with A Series of Unfortunate Events: Satire.
This sequel captures the same satirical tone found in A Series of Unfortunate Events, highlighting siblings who must rely on their wits to survive a villainous, greedy intruder.
Series on the same thread
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Dick Wolf · Series · 1999
Explores: Justice, Sexual Assault, Moral Ambiguity.
If A Series of Unfortunate Events hit, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit shares the thread.
Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane · Series · 1999
Shares 2 threads with A Series of Unfortunate Events: Satire, Dark Humor.
If A Series of Unfortunate Events hit, Family Guy shares the thread.
Dark
Baran bo Odar · Series · 2017
Explores: Time Paradox, Family Secrets, Existential Crisis.
If A Series of Unfortunate Events hit, Dark shares the thread.
Wednesday
Miles Millar · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with A Series of Unfortunate Events: Gothic Fiction.
Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events will recognize the cynical, intelligent protagonist navigating a mysterious academy, mirroring the orphans' struggle against dangerous adults and hidden, dark secrets.
Podcasts on the same thread
Story Pirates
Story Pirates · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Childhood imagination, Collaborative storytelling, Humor.
If A Series of Unfortunate Events hit, Story Pirates shares the thread.
Lore
Aaron Mahnke · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Dark History, Supernatural, Mysterious Events.
This podcast explores the same fascination with tragic narratives and historical misfortune that permeates A Series of Unfortunate Events, presenting dark tales that prove truth is often quite strange.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the adaptations of A Series of Unfortunate Events?
You can watch the 2004 film adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events or the 2017 television series. Both follow the story of the Baudelaire orphans, but the television series covers the entire book series, while the film focuses on the events of the first three installments.
Is A Series of Unfortunate Events based on a book?
Yes, A Series of Unfortunate Events is based on the book series written by Daniel Handler under the pen name Lemony Snicket. The books, which began publication in 1999, follow the three Baudelaire orphans as they attempt to escape the clutches of the villainous Count Olaf.
How long is the television adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events?
The television adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events, released in 2017, covers the full narrative of the original book series. It depicts the lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire as they survive numerous dangers and evade the schemes of Count Olaf across multiple episodes.
Should I watch the movie before the television series of A Series of Unfortunate Events?
You can watch either the 2004 movie or the 2017 television series of A Series of Unfortunate Events independently. The film provides a condensed version of the early books, while the television series offers a more comprehensive adaptation of the entire story of the Baudelaire orphans.