What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedEmpire
Danny Strong · Series · 2015
If you loved Empire, start with Unscripted (James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams) — a book on the same thread. Below: 2 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Empire across media.
If Empire hooked you with its high-stakes power plays, these stories explore the volatile intersection of dynastic ambition and personal betrayal.
Books on the same thread
Unscripted
James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams · Book
Explores: power dynamics, corporate greed, dynastic succession.
Just as Empire dramatizes the cutthroat music industry, this investigation mirrors that exact tension by exposing the ruthless internal power struggles within a real-world multibillion-dollar media empire.
City on Fire
Don Winslow · Book
Explores: loyalty and betrayal, intergenerational conflict, criminal empire.
Fans of the brutal intergenerational conflict in Empire will appreciate how this narrative captures the same cold-blooded fight for control between rival families competing for supreme territory.
Films on the same thread
The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola · Film · 1972
Shares 2 threads with Empire: Succession, Betrayal.
The foundational family loyalty and corruption seen in Empire find their cinematic origin here, as the Corleone saga masterfully depicts the heavy weight of maintaining a criminal dynasty.
The Last Emperor
Bernardo Bertolucci · Film · 1987
Explores: Imperialism, Cultural Revolution, Loss of Innocence.
Much like the decline and shifting status found in Empire, this film tracks the fall of a leader, illustrating how immense power inevitably leads to personal isolation.
Dreamgirls
Film · 2006
Shares 2 threads with Empire: Betrayal, Musical Drama.
If the musical ambition of Empire drew you in, this story offers a parallel look at the cost of fame and the personal betrayals inherent in show business.
The Greatest Showman
Michael Gracey · Film · 2017
Explores: Underdog Story, Self-Discovery, Acceptance.
Those drawn to the empire-building spirit of the Lyon family will recognize the same relentless drive for influence and legacy-making within this tale of a visionary showman.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
While the setting differs, you will recognize the same addictive, long-form serialized drama that made Empire a staple, focusing on the tangled relationships and internal history of families.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The moral ambiguity and consequences of power that define Empire are explored here on a grander scale, providing a deeper look at the human nature behind historical dominance.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Empire a family drama?
Yes, Empire is a powerful family drama centered on the head of a music empire. The narrative focuses on the internal power struggle between his three sons and his ex-wife as they all battle for control of his throne.
What is the main premise of Empire?
Empire follows the head of a successful music empire who must navigate a complex power struggle. His three sons and his ex-wife are all competing to take over his position, creating a tense conflict within the family dynamic.
Who created the show Empire?
The television show Empire was created by Danny Strong. The series first premiered in 2015 and centers on the high-stakes drama surrounding a family fighting for power within the music industry.
Does Empire revolve around the music industry?
Yes, the drama in Empire is set within the music industry. The central conflict involves the head of a music empire and his family, consisting of his three sons and his ex-wife, all vying for control of his throne.