What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBoys
Mischa Kamp · Film · 2014
If you loved Boys, start with Heartstopper (Alice Oseman, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Boys across media.
If you loved the tender, athletic vulnerability of Boys, these stories capture that same delicate, transformative journey toward self-discovery and first love.
Books on the same thread
The Runner
Cynthia Voigt · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with Boys: Self-Discovery, Coming-of-Age.
Much like the track stars in Boys, the protagonist here finds that the intensity of sports becomes a primary setting for internal growth and the challenging work of connection.
Heartstopper, Vol. 1
Alice Oseman · Book
Shares 3 threads with Boys: first love, self-discovery, LGBTQ+ romance.
You will recognize the quiet, authentic exploration of budding attraction found in Boys, as Nick and Charlie navigate the same high school uncertainties and the thrill of first love.
Spinning
Tillie Walden · Book · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Boys: Self-Discovery, Identity, First Love.
This memoir mirrors the athletic discipline seen in Boys, showing how the pressure of competition acts as a crucible for personal identity and the courage to come out.
Series on the same thread
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman · Series · 2022
Shares 3 threads with Boys: First Love, Self-Discovery, Acceptance.
This series expands on the gentle, transformative relationship dynamics of Boys, focusing on the same realistic, heart-centered approach to teen discovery and the evolution of a deep friendship.
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Shares 2 threads with Boys: Sports Romance, LGBTQ+ Romance.
While the stakes are professional, the core tension reflects the forbidden, magnetic pull between athletes that defined the emotional landscape of Boys as they grapple with their true feelings.
Boy Meets World
Michael Jacobs · Series · 1993
Shares a thread with Boys: First love.
If the coming-of-age sincerity of Boys resonated with you, this classic series provides a broader look at the same formative experiences and life lessons that shape a young man.
Young Royals
Lisa Ambjörn · Series · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Boys: Identity, First Love.
This drama echoes the central conflict of Boys, where the protagonist must reconcile his personal desires with the expectations of his environment while navigating a high-pressure, transformative romance.
Podcasts on the same thread
To Be A Boy
Podcast
Explores: raising boys, toxic masculinity, male friendships.
This podcast digs into the very themes of masculinity and boyhood that underscore the characters in Boys, offering a thoughtful exploration of the pressures facing young men today.
The Bathroom Love Affair by XPanicX | Audiobook Series
Podcast
Explores: Unexpected Romance, Neighborly relationships, Friendship to Love.
The transition from friendship to romance seen in Boys is mirrored here, capturing the same sense of discovery as two individuals find their lives unexpectedly changed by one another.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Boys a sports movie?
Boys centers on two teen track stars who are training for a relay race. While athletics serve as the primary setting for the narrative, the core of the film focuses on the discovery of first love between the two protagonists.
How long is the movie Boys?
The 2014 film Boys, directed by Mischa Kamp, has a runtime of 76 minutes. This duration covers the timeline of the two main characters as they navigate their training and their developing relationship leading up to their relay race.
What is the central plot of Boys?
The plot of Boys follows two teenage track stars who are preparing for the most important relay race of their lives. During this period of intense physical training, the two athletes discover their first romantic feelings for one another.
Does Boys feature a competitive relay race?
Yes, the relay race is a central element of the story in Boys. The pressure of preparing for this competition provides the backdrop for the two teen track stars to explore their first love and evolving relationship.