If you loved
Animal Kingdom
Jonathan Lisco · Series · 2016
If Animal Kingdom hooked you, it is because you are drawn to the volatile, high-stakes loyalty found within dangerous, unconventional families.
Start with the source
The source
Animal Kingdom
David Michôd · Film · 2010
Books on the same thread
The Nearest Faraway Place
Hayley Long · Book · 2017
Like the Cody clan in Animal Kingdom, this story explores the raw, unbreakable bond between brothers forced to navigate the world after a devastating family tragedy.
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt · Book · 2013
Much like the protagonist in Animal Kingdom, you will find yourself pulled into a complex, gritty underworld where grief and survival dictate every dangerous decision.
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1)
Rick Riordan · Book · 2010
If you enjoyed the fractured sibling dynamics of Animal Kingdom, you will appreciate how these estranged brothers must reconcile their differences to survive their new reality.
Dope Sick
Walter Dean Myers · Book · 2009
This narrative mirrors the dark, high-pressure environment of Animal Kingdom, focusing on the struggle for redemption and second chances amidst cycles of addiction and systemic violence.
Films on the same thread
Boyz n the Hood
John Singleton · Film · 1991
This film captures the same tension found in Animal Kingdom, where young men struggle to maintain their identity while surrounded by the constant threat of urban violence.
Bound by Honor
Film · 1993
The intense loyalty and criminal entanglements of the Vatos Locos echo the brotherhood and moral ambiguity that defined the Cody family throughout Animal Kingdom.
mid90s
Jonah Hill · Film · 2018
Just as J sought belonging in Animal Kingdom, you will see how a young man is drawn into a surrogate family that offers both community and danger.
My Fault
Domingo González · Film · 2023
If the friction of entering a new, wealthy, and morally complex home fascinated you in Animal Kingdom, this story of forced family integration provides a similar tension.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
The dynamic between the brothers in this podcast mirrors the collaborative yet intense rapport seen between the Cody boys when they are executing their criminal schemes.
The MeidasTouch Podcast
MeidasTouch Network · Podcast · 2026
These brothers mirror the tight-knit, collaborative structure of the Cody family in Animal Kingdom, showcasing how deep-rooted sibling relationships drive their professional and personal pursuits.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Animal Kingdom based on a previous film?
Yes, the 2016 television series Animal Kingdom is an adaptation based on the 2010 movie of the same name. Both versions explore the criminal activities of the Cody family under the influence of their matriarch, Smurf.
What is the central premise of Animal Kingdom?
Animal Kingdom follows 17-year-old Joshua J Cody after he moves in with his estranged relatives in Southern California. Following his mother's death, he joins a dangerous crime family led by his grandmother, Smurf, and her sons, including Pope, Craig, and Der.
Who leads the family in Animal Kingdom?
In Animal Kingdom, the criminal clan is headed by the matriarch Janine Smurf Cody. She manages the family business alongside Baz, who serves as her right-hand man and primary strategist for their various operations.
Does Animal Kingdom feature the same characters as the 2010 movie?
The 2016 television version of Animal Kingdom shares the core premise and central characters of the 2010 movie. Both narratives focus on the Cody family dynamic, detailing the lives of Smurf, her sons, and the arrival of young Joshua J Cody.