What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedChicago Fire
Derek Haas · Series · 2012
If you loved Chicago Fire, start with Chicago P.D. (Dick Wolf, 2014) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Chicago Fire across media.
What hooked you in Chicago Fire was the way high-stakes professional sacrifice consistently creates unbreakable bonds of brotherhood and intense, life-altering teamwork.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Chicago P.D.
Dick Wolf · Series · 2014
Adaptation
Chicago Med
Dick Wolf · Series · 2015
Books on the same thread
The Fireman
Joe Hill · Book · 2016
Explores: Global pandemic, Spontaneous combustion, Social collapse.
If the survival instincts and camaraderie of Chicago Fire resonated with you, this story of a global pandemic tests the limits of found family amidst terrifying, high-stakes chaos.
Homicide
David Simon · Book · 2007
Explores: Homicide Investigation, Urban Decay, Moral Ambiguity.
You loved the procedural grit and professional exhaustion in Chicago Fire; here, the raw, investigative reality of Baltimore homicide detectives offers a similarly unflinching look at public service.
Sookie Stackhouse
Charlaine Harris · Book · 2009
Explores: Supernatural, Small Town Secrets, Strong Female Lead.
The tight-knit, small-town community dynamics that define Chicago Fire translate perfectly to this supernatural mystery, where personal secrets and professional challenges collide within a deeply interconnected, local circle.
City on Fire
Don Winslow · Book
Explores: loyalty and betrayal, intergenerational conflict, criminal empire.
While Chicago Fire focuses on saving lives, this organized crime saga mirrors the intense loyalty and internal friction found at Firehouse 51, exploring how intense pressure defines relationships.
Films on the same thread
Backdraft
Ron Howard · Film · 1991
Shares a thread with Chicago Fire: heroism.
This film is the natural successor to Chicago Fire, centering on the same heroic tradition and complex sibling dynamics that make the television series so emotionally compelling and gritty.
Only the Brave
Joseph Kosinski · Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Chicago Fire: Brotherhood, Sacrifice, Teamwork.
This biographical drama captures the exact spirit of brotherhood and sacrifice seen in Chicago Fire, highlighting the courage required by elite teams to face life-threatening, dangerous situations together.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Aaron Sorkin · Film · 2020
Explores: Civil Disobedience, Government Overreach, Social Justice.
Much like the intense, high-stakes environment of Chicago Fire, this legal drama thrives on the friction of individuals forced to work together under extreme pressure and public scrutiny.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
If the serialized, character-driven community of Chicago Fire kept you invested, this long-running rural drama provides an equally deep exploration of evolving relationships and interconnected lives within one community.
Forensic Files
Podcast
Explores: crime scene investigation, scientific analysis, evidence-based analysis.
The procedural precision you enjoyed in Chicago Fire is here replaced by scientific analysis, offering a similarly addictive look at the professionals working behind the scenes of emergencies.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med?
You should watch the series in the order they premiered to follow the shared universe timeline. Chicago Fire debuted in 2012, followed by Chicago P.D. in 2014, and Chicago Med in 2015. This release order aligns with the establishment of the various emergency services within the Chicago setting.
Is Chicago P.D. related to Chicago Fire?
Yes, Chicago P.D. is an adaptation from the same creative universe as Chicago Fire. Both shows focus on the high-stakes professions of everyday heroes in Chicago, with Chicago Fire centering on the personnel of Firehouse 51 and Chicago P.D. shifting the perspective to the city's police department.
How do Chicago Med and Chicago Fire connect?
Chicago Med and Chicago Fire are interconnected series sharing the same setting and creative origins. While Chicago Fire focuses on the rescue squads and paramedics of Firehouse 51, Chicago Med expands the narrative to the medical professionals who treat the patients and personnel involved in the city's dangerous incidents.
Should I watch Chicago Med if I enjoyed the medical aspects of Chicago Fire?
If you enjoyed the paramedic and rescue storylines in Chicago Fire, you should watch Chicago Med. It provides a deeper look into the medical side of the emergency services depicted in the franchise, following the professional lives of the staff working in the city's medical facilities.