What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFerdinand
Carlos Saldanha · Film · 2017
If you loved Ferdinand, start with Hilda (Luke Pearson, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Ferdinand across media.
What hooked you in Ferdinand was the way a gentle, misunderstood soul finds the courage to remain true to their nature.
Books on the same thread
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as Ferdinand finds peace in his own identity, Max navigates his tempestuous emotions through a fantasy world that mirrors the internal journey of a misunderstood character seeking acceptance.
Charlotte's Web
E.B. White · Book · 1952
Explores: Friendship, Mortality, Sacrifice.
Much like the gentle bull in Ferdinand, Wilbur is a soft-hearted creature who defies his expected fate through the power of friendship, loyalty, and the strength of character.
Candide
Voltaire · Book · 1984
Explores: Optimism vs. Pessimism, Social Commentary, The Absurdity of Life.
The protagonist of this classic shares the same resilient, gentle spirit found in Ferdinand, maintaining his core values even when the world demands he act with aggression and cynicism.
Giraffes Can't Dance
Giles Andreae · Book · 2015
Explores: Self-Acceptance, Overcoming Obstacles, Individuality.
Gerald the giraffe embodies the same struggle for self-acceptance seen in Ferdinand, proving that being different from the rest of the herd is a strength rather than a weakness.
Series on the same thread
Phineas and Ferb
Dan Povenmire · Series · 2007
Explores: Summer Vacation, Sibling Rivalry, Secret Identity.
These inventive brothers share the same kindhearted nature as Ferdinand, navigating a world that often tries to force them into predictable patterns while they pursue their unique interests.
Hilda
Luke Pearson · Series · 2018
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Friendship, Environmentalism.
Hilda possesses the same free-spirited individuality that defines Ferdinand, choosing to forge her own path and treat the world with kindness despite the expectations placed upon her by others.
Fighting Spirit
Series · 2000
Explores: Underdog, Self-Improvement, Coming of Age.
Ippo mirrors the journey of Ferdinand by finding his own way within a high-pressure environment, proving that a gentle temperament can coexist with the demands of a competitive world.
Shaun the Sheep
Richard Starzak · Series · 2007
Explores: Anthropomorphism, Mischief, Animal Antics.
Shaun the Sheep shares the mischievous yet kindhearted spirit of Ferdinand, showing how an animal with a unique personality can stand out against the backdrop of a standard barnyard.
Podcasts on the same thread
Lex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, technological ethics, deep thinking.
These deep conversations mirror the philosophical core of Ferdinand, exploring what it means to live with integrity and intention in a world that often favors conformity over personal truth.
FC Bullard
Podcast
Explores: football club, grassroots football, sports commentary.
Building something from nothing requires the same quiet determination that Ferdinand displayed when he chose to sit under his cork tree rather than conform to the ways of others.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Ferdinand a movie about bullfighting?
Ferdinand follows a bull who prefers smelling flowers over fighting. While he is mistakenly chosen for the bullfights in Madrid due to his size and strength, the story centers on his mellow temperament and his desire to avoid the ring rather than his participation in the sport.
What is the main conflict in Ferdinand?
The main conflict in Ferdinand arises when five men visit to select the biggest and roughest bull for the bullfights in Madrid. Ferdinand, who is actually a gentle bull that prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree, is mistakenly chosen for the event despite his peaceful nature.
Who directed the movie Ferdinand?
The 2017 animated movie Ferdinand was directed by Carlos Saldanha. It tells the story of a bull who chooses to remain true to his mellow personality instead of conforming to the expectations of the other bulls who spend their time jumping around and butting heads.
Is Ferdinand based on a classic story?
Yes, Ferdinand is based on a classic 1936 story. The film expands on the premise of a bull who would rather sit quietly under a cork tree smelling flowers than engage in the rough behavior expected of him before he is eventually taken to Madrid.