If you loved
Better Things
Pamela Adlon · Series · 2016
If you loved Better Things, you will appreciate these stories that explore the messy, beautiful, and unfiltered reality of modern family life.
Books on the same thread
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · Book · 2007
Explores: Father-Daughter Relationship, Sexual Identity, Family Secrets.
Much like Better Things, this graphic novel digs deep into the complexities of generational inheritance and the difficult, often unspoken dynamics that shape our identities within a family unit.
Little Fires Everywhere
Celeste Ng · Book · 2018
Explores: Mother-daughter relationships, Class differences, Race and privilege.
This novel captures the tension between societal expectations and individual choices, echoing the way Better Things examines the weight of motherhood while navigating the pressures of a community.
I'm Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdy · Book · 2022
Explores: Child abuse, Mother-daughter relationship, Eating disorders.
If you appreciated the unflinching honesty of Better Things, you will find this memoir's raw examination of a strained mother-daughter relationship and the personal cost of performance deeply resonant.
Guts
Raina Telgemeier · Book · 2019
Explores: Anxiety, Childhood, Food Issues.
This story mirrors the grounded, everyday anxieties found in Better Things, focusing on the intimate ways parents and children navigate physical and emotional health during the turbulent growing years.
Films on the same thread
20th Century Women
Mike Mills · Film · 2016
Shares 2 threads with Better Things: Single Motherhood, Coming-of-age.
This film reflects the spirit of Better Things by centering on a determined single mother raising her child amidst a changing culture, emphasizing the importance of non-traditional support systems.
Fatherhood
Paul Weitz · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with Better Things: Dramedy.
Fans of Better Things will recognize the familiar struggle of balancing vulnerability with the necessity of being a pillar of strength while raising a child as a solo parent.
Instant Family
Sean Anders · Film · 2018
Explores: foster care, adoption, parenting.
This story captures the chaotic, imperfect, and rewarding nature of modern parenting, much like the way Better Things portrays the unpredictable rhythm of raising children in a busy household.
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2017
Explores: Mother-Daughter Relationship, Teenage Rebellion, Self-Discovery.
The sharp, witty, and deeply emotional mother-daughter bond at the heart of this film will strike a chord with anyone who connected with the family dynamics in Better Things.
Podcasts on the same thread
We Can Do Hard Things
Treat Media and Glennon Doyle · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Vulnerability, Personal growth, Emotional support.
This podcast provides the same kind of raw, conversational comfort found in Better Things, offering a space to discuss the hard truths of personal growth and daily emotional survival.
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
If you valued the humor and frankness of Better Things, you will appreciate this look at the relatable annoyances and genuine struggles that define modern parenting and domestic life.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Better Things about a single mother?
Yes, Better Things follows Sam Fox, a single working actor living in Los Angeles. She balances her career while acting as the sole provider and guardian for her three daughters, Max, Frankie, and Duke, navigating the daily challenges of parenthood on her own.
What is the premise of Better Things?
Better Things centers on Sam Fox, a working actor raising three daughters in Los Angeles. The show depicts her life as she manages her career while serving as a mother, father, and referee for her children, Max, Frankie, and Duke, often without a filter.
Who created Better Things?
Better Things was created by Pamela Adlon in 2016. The series focuses on her character, Sam Fox, a working actor who is raising three daughters named Max, Frankie, and Duke while managing the complexities of life in Los Angeles as a single parent.
Does Better Things feature a single parent protagonist?
Yes, Better Things features Sam Fox, a single mother and working actor. The show documents her life in Los Angeles as she acts as the mother, father, and referee for her three daughters, Max, Frankie, and Duke, while maintaining her career.