What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFather Stu
Rosalind Ross · Film · 2022
If you loved Father Stu, start with Muhammad Ali (2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Father Stu across media.
If Father Stu moved you, you will find similar resonance in these stories about the messy, transformative journey toward faith and redemption.
Books on the same thread
Have a Little Faith: A True Story
Mitch Albom · Book · 2009
Explores: Faith, Interfaith Dialogue, Poverty.
Like the protagonist of Father Stu, the subjects here navigate the gritty realities of life and criminal pasts to find spiritual purpose through community and genuine faith.
Confessions
Saint Augustine · Book · 2007
Explores: Redemption, Sin and Forgiveness, The Search for Meaning.
If you appreciated the raw, biographical arc of Father Stu, this classic narrative offers a profound look at the struggle between a worldly life and spiritual conversion.
The Passenger
Cormac McCarthy · Book · 2022
Explores: Grief, Conspiracy, Existentialism.
While darker in tone, this story mirrors the existential weight and search for meaning that defines the second half of the life depicted in Father Stu.
Just Mercy
Bryan Stevenson · Book · 2015
Explores: systemic inequality, criminal justice reform, restorative justice.
This memoir echoes the themes of redemption and overcoming adversity found in Father Stu, showing how compassion can fundamentally change the trajectory of an individual life.
Series on the same thread
The Chosen
Dallas Jenkins · Series · 2019
Explores: Faith, Redemption, Discipleship.
Fans of Father Stu will connect with this dramatization of faith, as it focuses on the human experiences of those who encountered a life-changing spiritual presence.
Ted Lasso
Jason Sudeikis · Series · 2020
Explores: Optimism, Underdog Story, Cultural Clash.
The redemptive underdog journey in Father Stu is mirrored here, as a flawed man finds a new sense of calling and influence in an unexpected environment.
Father Brown
Tahsin Guner · Series · 2013
Explores: Faith and Doubt, Small Town Secrets, Justice vs. Forgiveness.
This series captures the intersection of faith and moral complexity explored in Father Stu, focusing on a priest who navigates the human struggles of his community.
Muhammad Ali
Series · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Father Stu: Overcoming Adversity, Religious Conversion.
This documentary captures the same real-life grit and religious transformation seen in Father Stu, showcasing a boxer who finds a deeper purpose beyond the ring.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension · Podcast · 2026
Explores: faith, spiritual growth, historical context.
If the spiritual growth of the lead character in Father Stu resonated with you, this podcast provides a structured path for exploring those same religious foundations.
Rosario
Podcast
Explores: Catholicism, Prayer, Spirituality.
This podcast offers a direct continuation of the Catholic spirituality that becomes the cornerstone of the life and mission depicted in the film Father Stu.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Father Stu based on a true story?
Yes, Father Stu is based on the true-life story of a boxer who becomes a priest. After an injury ends his amateur boxing career, he moves to Los Angeles and eventually transitions from a life as an agnostic supermarket clerk to his religious calling.
What leads Stuart Long to start attending church in Father Stu?
In Father Stu, Stuart Long begins attending church to impress Carmen, a Sunday school teacher he meets while working as a supermarket clerk. He is initially determined to win her over, despite being a longtime agnostic who is immune to her lack of interest in his bad-boy charm.
Does a motorcycle accident happen in Father Stu?
Yes, a motorcycle accident occurs in Father Stu. This event happens after Stuart Long has begun attending church to win over Carmen, marking a significant turning point in the life of the former boxer who eventually becomes a priest.
What was Stuart Long doing before his time in Father Stu?
Before the events depicted in Father Stu, Stuart Long was an amateur boxer. His career in the sport ended due to an injury, which prompted his move to Los Angeles in search of money and fame before he eventually found his path to the priesthood.