What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedEighth Grade
Bo Burnham · Film · 2018
If you loved Eighth Grade, start with Euphoria (Sam Levinson, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Eighth Grade across media.
What hooked you in Eighth Grade was the way it captured the raw, excruciating intimacy of navigating adolescent social performance.
Books on the same thread
Smile
Raina Telgemeier · Book
Shares 3 threads with Eighth Grade: adolescent anxiety, self-discovery, coming-of-age.
Like Eighth Grade, this memoir captures the specific, humiliating physical discomfort of growing up, grounding the universal anxiety of middle school in a relatable and deeply personal visual narrative.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
and Jeff Kinney · Book
Explores: Middle school struggles, Adolescent awkwardness, Social hierarchy.
You will recognize the same middle school survival instincts found in Eighth Grade, as this series explores the social hierarchy and awkwardness that define the pre-high school experience.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
Much like the protagonist of Eighth Grade, the characters here grapple with the existential dread of their teenage years, highlighting the pain of outgrowing childhood friendships and familiar environments.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with Eighth Grade: social awkwardness.
This book mirrors the middle school struggle portrayed in Eighth Grade, focusing on the social awkwardness and daily survival tactics necessary when you are just trying to fit in.
Series on the same thread
Euphoria
Sam Levinson · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Eighth Grade: Coming-of-Age.
While darker in tone than Eighth Grade, this show explores similar themes of identity and mental health, showing the intense pressure teenagers face while navigating their social environments.
Sex Education
Laurie Nunn · Series · 2019
Shares 3 threads with Eighth Grade: Social Awkwardness, Self-Discovery, Teen Comedy-Drama.
This series shares the awkward, honest approach to teenage growth seen in Eighth Grade, focusing on the fumbling attempts to understand social dynamics and personal identity during adolescence.
PEN15
Anna Konkle · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Eighth Grade: Middle school.
This show is the perfect companion to Eighth Grade, as it captures the cringeworthy, nostalgic reality of being a middle school outcast with unflinching and comedic precision.
Insecure
Issa Rae · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Eighth Grade: self-discovery.
If the honest portrayal of internal life in Eighth Grade resonated with you, you will appreciate this candid look at the messy, awkward process of finding one's identity.
Podcasts on the same thread
anything goes with emma chamberlain
emma chamberlain · Podcast · 2026
Emma Chamberlain mirrors the digital-age introspection found in Eighth Grade, offering a raw, unscripted look at the modern experience that feels like a natural extension of Kayla's internal monologue.
Tough Watch
Podcast
Explores: Internet trends, Social media criticism, Absurdity.
This podcast dissects the internet culture that consumes the characters in Eighth Grade, providing a sharp, critical, and humorous look at the digital world that shapes modern adolescence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Eighth Grade about the start of high school?
Eighth Grade focuses on the final week of middle school for a thirteen-year-old protagonist. The narrative concludes as she prepares to transition into high school, capturing the specific challenges and social pressures experienced during the end of her eighth grade year in a suburban setting.
What is the main plot of Eighth Grade?
The film follows a thirteen-year-old girl named Kayla as she navigates the social difficulties of contemporary suburban adolescence. The story centers on her experiences during the final week of middle school, documenting the end of a difficult eighth grade year before she moves on to high school.
Does Eighth Grade take place over a long period of time?
No, the events of Eighth Grade are confined to a short timeframe. The story specifically chronicles the final week of middle school, capturing the tension and personal growth that occurs as the main character finishes her eighth grade year and prepares for the transition into high school.
Is Eighth Grade a movie about middle schoolers?
Yes, Eighth Grade is a 2018 film directed by Bo Burnham that centers on the life of a thirteen-year-old girl. It depicts her daily life and struggles while navigating the social landscape of her final week in middle school before beginning her freshman year of high school.