What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedAll the Bright Places
Brett Haley · Film · 2020
If you loved All the Bright Places, start with 13 Reasons Why (Brian Yorkey, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to All the Bright Places across media.
You were drawn to All the Bright Places because it navigates the fragile, beautiful intersection of profound personal grief and raw first love.
Books on the same thread
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with All the Bright Places: Existentialism, First Love.
Much like All the Bright Places, this story examines the weight of mortality on young romance, forcing its protagonists to find meaning and connection amidst a terminal reality.
Looking for Alaska
John Green · Book · 2014
Shares 3 threads with All the Bright Places: Grief, Existentialism, First Love.
If the existential questioning in All the Bright Places resonated with you, this novel captures that same restless search for purpose and the painful, transformative power of adolescent grief.
The Nearest Faraway Place
Hayley Long · Book · 2017
Shares 3 threads with All the Bright Places: Grief, Loss, Trauma.
This narrative mirrors the emotional landscape of All the Bright Places by focusing on how siblings and families attempt to piece themselves back together following a life-altering tragedy.
Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森)
Haruki Murakami · Book · 1987
Shares 3 threads with All the Bright Places: Loss, Grief, Existentialism.
This classic explores the intersection of mental health and deep loss in a way that echoes the somber, reflective tone established throughout the journey in All the Bright Places.
Series on the same thread
13 Reasons Why
Brian Yorkey · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with All the Bright Places: Trauma.
Like All the Bright Places, this series confronts the aftermath of a student's suicide, meticulously unraveling the hidden traumas and complicated emotions that lead to such a devastating choice.
My Life with the Walter Boys
Melanie Halsall · Series · 2023
Explores: found family, grief and healing, small-town life.
This series offers a similar focus on the healing process as All the Bright Places, showcasing how a new environment and unexpected relationships help a teen process deep grief.
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Park Shin-woo · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with All the Bright Places: Mental Health Drama.
The connection between two individuals burdened by their own emotional histories in this drama reflects the intense, therapeutic bond formed between the protagonists of All the Bright Places.
Normal People
Series · 2020
Shares 2 threads with All the Bright Places: First Love, Coming-of-Age Drama.
This show captures the same complex, shifting intimacy found in All the Bright Places, focusing on how two people evolve while navigating the messy realities of their personal lives.
Podcasts on the same thread
We Can Do Hard Things
Treat Media and Glennon Doyle · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Vulnerability, Personal growth, Emotional support.
If you appreciated the vulnerability regarding mental health in All the Bright Places, this podcast provides a comforting, authentic space for exploring the challenges of being human.
Painfully Human Podcast
Podcast
Explores: vulnerability, human experience, emotional intelligence.
This podcast mirrors the raw, honest examination of the human experience that defined All the Bright Places, offering listeners a space to feel seen through difficult, transformative conversations.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is All the Bright Places a story about travel?
All the Bright Places follows two teenagers as they embark on a journey across Indiana. While they visit various locations to chronicle the wonders of the state, the primary focus of the film is the powerful bond they form while facing their own personal struggles.
How long is the movie All the Bright Places?
All the Bright Places is a 2020 film directed by Brett Haley. The runtime of the movie is approximately 107 minutes. This duration covers the cathartic journey of the two main characters as they explore Indiana and navigate their complex personal lives together.
What is the main conflict in All the Bright Places?
The central conflict in All the Bright Places involves two teenagers who are each dealing with their own personal struggles. As they grow closer, they form a bond that helps them navigate these difficulties while they travel throughout Indiana to discover and document local wonders.
Should I watch All the Bright Places if I enjoy character-driven dramas?
If you enjoy character-driven dramas, All the Bright Places is a suitable choice. The film focuses on the emotional development of two teens who form a powerful connection while confronting personal challenges and completing a shared project during their travels across the state of Indiana.