What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCODA
Sian Heder · Film · 2021
If you loved CODA, start with Maid (Molly Smith Metzler, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to CODA across media.
What hooked you in CODA was the delicate tension between fulfilling deep-seated family obligations and the desperate, necessary pursuit of your own dreams.
Books on the same thread
Reminders of Him
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
Explores: Mother-daughter reconciliation, Social stigma, Forgiveness.
Like the protagonist of CODA, Kenna Rowan navigates the weight of social stigma and the painful, complex struggle to reconcile her personal aspirations with the needs of her family.
Sounder
William H. Armstrong · Book · 2011
Explores: Poverty, Racial injustice, Loyalty.
This classic mirrors the emotional core of CODA, highlighting how poverty and systemic barriers force young individuals to prioritize loyalty to their family over their own individual growth.
If I Stay
Gayle Forman · Book · 2014
Explores: Grief, Loss, Family.
Mia shares the central conflict found in CODA, as her intense devotion to music forces a difficult choice between her creative passion and the crushing reality of family tragedy.
Series on the same thread
Maid
Molly Smith Metzler · Series · 2021
Explores: Single Motherhood, Breaking the Cycle of Abuse, Resilience.
This story echoes the grit found in CODA, focusing on a young mother who must fight to break cycles of adversity while balancing the survival of her own child.
Go Ahead
Series · 2020
Shares a thread with CODA: Coming-of-Age Drama.
Much like the characters in CODA, these three friends rely on a found family dynamic to navigate childhood trauma and the burden of their pasts while striving for stability.
Navillera
Series · 2021
Explores: Mentorship, Late-Life Dreams, Overcoming Obstacles.
The intergenerational bond here reflects the heart of CODA, showing how pursuing a late-life dream can provide a lifeline for two people trapped by their respective harsh realities.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Yu Je-won · Series · 2021
Explores: Small Town Romance, City Slicker vs. Small Town, Healing.
If you loved the coastal community setting of CODA, you will appreciate this story of a city professional finding healing and connection within a close-knit, small-town seaside village.
Podcasts on the same thread
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human resilience, Emotional healing, Self-discovery.
This podcast captures the same spirit of resilience seen in CODA, offering intimate explorations of human strength and the emotional healing required to forge one's own unique path.
Inherited
Podcast
Explores: family history, traditions, cultural heritage.
This series examines how our family history shapes our identity, mirroring the journey of the protagonist in CODA as she learns to honor her roots while seeking independence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is CODA about the struggles of a family with deaf parents?
Yes, CODA centers on Ruby, the only hearing member of a deaf family. The story explores her internal conflict as she navigates her personal passion for music while balancing the responsibilities of helping her parents maintain their threatened fishing business.
Does CODA focus on Ruby's career as a musician?
CODA follows Ruby as she discovers her love for music. However, her journey is complicated by the needs of her family, forcing her to decide between pursuing her own musical aspirations and the fear of abandoning her parents during a difficult time for their business.
What is the primary conflict in CODA?
The primary conflict in CODA is the tension between Ruby's desire to pursue her talent for music and her obligation to support her deaf parents. She feels torn because her family relies on her assistance to keep their fishing business afloat.
Is CODA centered on a character who is a CODA?
Yes, CODA is centered on Ruby, who is a Child of Deaf Adults. As the only hearing person in her family, she acts as a bridge between her deaf parents and the hearing world while trying to find her own path in life.