What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAbout Schmidt
Alexander Payne · Film · 2002
If you loved About Schmidt, start with The Kominsky Method (Chuck Lorre, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to About Schmidt across media.
You connected with About Schmidt because you appreciate how midlife reflection and family friction reveal the quiet absurdity of human existence.
Books on the same thread
The Stranger (L'Étranger)
Albert Camus · Book · 1942
Explores: Absurdity of Life, Alienation, Indifference.
Much like the existential journey in About Schmidt, this work explores the indifference of the universe and the moral ambiguity that arises when an ordinary man faces life's senseless nature.
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with About Schmidt: Self-Discovery.
If you valued the complicated father-daughter dynamics in About Schmidt, you will find a deeper, more intimate exploration of family secrets and the struggle for identity in this autobiographical work.
The Road
Cormac McCarthy · Book · 2007
Explores: Parent-child bond, Moral ambiguity, Existential dread.
Those who appreciated the existential dread hidden beneath the surface of About Schmidt will recognize a more extreme, stripped-down version of that isolation in this harrowing portrait of paternal survival.
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
Explores: Grumbling protagonist, Unexpected friendship, Redemption.
The grumpy protagonist navigating a sudden life transition in this novel mirrors the curmudgeonly spirit of About Schmidt, offering a similar blend of humor and poignant, late-life emotional growth.
Series on the same thread
Arrested Development
Mitchell Hurwitz · Series · 2003
Shares a thread with About Schmidt: Dark Comedy.
The sharp, dark comedy found in About Schmidt translates perfectly here, focusing on a family forced to confront their dysfunction and loss while maintaining a facade of their former lives.
Schitt's Creek
Eugene Levy · Series · 2015
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Family dynamics, Class differences.
While About Schmidt finds humor in the mundane, this series similarly uses a fish-out-of-water scenario to force a prideful family to reevaluate their values and their relationships with one another.
The Kominsky Method
Chuck Lorre · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with About Schmidt: Aging.
This series captures the specific melancholic humor of aging seen in About Schmidt, focusing on the realities of mortality and the enduring necessity of friendship during one's twilight years.
Six Feet Under
Alan Ball · Series · 2001
Shares a thread with About Schmidt: Dark Comedy.
If the existential undertones of About Schmidt resonated with you, this drama provides a profound, ongoing look at how a family processes death and finds meaning in the face of mortality.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
This long-running drama mirrors the focus on complex, imperfect family life found in About Schmidt, providing an immersive look at the interconnected relationships that define our daily existence.
SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett · Podcast · 2026
Explores: camaraderie, spontaneity, shared life experiences.
The candid and organic conversations in this podcast echo the desire for authentic human connection and self-discovery that drives the central character throughout the narrative of About Schmidt.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is About Schmidt a comedy or a drama?
About Schmidt is a 2002 film directed by Alexander Payne. It follows a retired man on a journey to his daughter's wedding, where he gains unexpected insights about his life. The film blends elements of both comedy and drama as the protagonist navigates this significant personal transition.
What is the main plot of About Schmidt?
The plot of About Schmidt centers on a man who has recently retired. He decides to travel to the wedding of his estranged daughter. During this journey, he experiences a series of events that lead him to discover more about himself and his life than he originally expected.
Who directed the movie About Schmidt?
The 2002 movie About Schmidt was directed by Alexander Payne. The film portrays the story of a recently retired man who embarks on a journey to his daughter's wedding, ultimately finding that the trip provides him with a deeper understanding of his own life and identity.
What happens to the protagonist in About Schmidt?
In About Schmidt, a recently retired man sets out on a trip to attend his estranged daughter's wedding. As he travels, he encounters circumstances that force him to reflect on his past and present, resulting in a profound discovery regarding his own life and character.