What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAcross the Universe
Julie Taymor · Film · 2007
If you loved Across the Universe, start with The Get Down (Baz Luhrmann, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Across the Universe across media.
You were drawn to the way Across the Universe captures personal stories unfolding against the backdrop of transformative historical and social upheaval.
Books on the same thread
Atonement
Ian McEwan · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with Across the Universe: Forbidden Love.
Like the star-crossed lovers in Across the Universe, this story explores how the personal consequences of war and class conflict can irrevocably alter the course of a lifetime.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
If the tragic romance of Across the Universe resonated with you, you will find a similar exploration of idealism and loss within this classic tale of American longing.
From the Earth to the Moon
Jules Verne · Book · 1967
Explores: Space Travel, Technological Advancement, Human Ambition.
While Across the Universe focuses on the social revolution of the sixties, this work shares that same sense of human ambition pushing boundaries during a period of rapid change.
Love Story
Erich Segal · Book · 1970
Shares a thread with Across the Universe: Forbidden Love.
This story mirrors the central conflict found in Across the Universe, where forbidden love struggles to survive the pressures of class differences and the weight of external expectations.
Series on the same thread
The Vietnam War
Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Across the Universe: Anti-War Movement.
Those who were moved by the anti-war movement and political tensions depicted in Across the Universe will appreciate this deep dive into the historical reality of that era.
Angels in America
Series · 2003
Explores: AIDS Epidemic, Identity, Sexuality.
Much like the shifting socio-political landscape of Across the Universe, this drama captures the intersection of identity and crisis within a rapidly changing American cultural climate.
The Get Down
Baz Luhrmann · Series · 2016
Explores: Urban Decay, Youth Culture, Musical Innovation.
Fans of the musical innovation and youth-driven cultural evolution in Across the Universe will recognize that same spirit of artistic discovery amidst the urban decay of the seventies.
From the Earth to the Moon
Tom Hanks · Series · 1998
Explores: Space Race, Technological Advancement, American Exceptionalism.
Because you enjoyed the specific historical atmosphere of Across the Universe, you will find this exploration of the sixties space race a compelling look at the American experience.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
The cinematic, immersive storytelling found in these audio dramas echoes the sensory intensity and experimental spirit that define the unique visual world of Across the Universe.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This series mirrors the emotional stakes of Across the Universe by focusing on love and loss while navigating the challenges of survival in an unpredictable, harsh environment.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Across the Universe set during the Vietnam War?
Yes, Across the Universe is set during the Vietnam era. The story follows Jude and Lucy as they navigate the political tensions and the rising body count of the Vietnam War while residing in the United States during this period of significant social change.
What is the main plot of Across the Universe?
Across the Universe follows a young dockworker named Jude who travels from Liverpool to the United States to find his father. He falls in love with Lucy, and together they become caught up in the anti-war movement and the psychedelic social shifts occurring in the nation.
Does Across the Universe feature a romance?
Yes, Across the Universe features a central romance between Jude and Lucy. The two characters are depicted as star-crossed lovers who attempt to maintain their relationship while becoming swept up in the political unrest and the growing anti-war movement of the era.
Where does the story of Across the Universe begin?
The story of Across the Universe begins in Liverpool, where the main character Jude works as a dockworker. He eventually leaves his home to travel to the United States in search of his estranged father, which initiates the events of the film.