What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedFuturama
Matt Groening · Series · 1999
If you loved Futurama, start with Sleeper (Woody Allen, 1973) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Futurama across media.
What hooked you in Futurama was the cynical humor used to expose the absurdity of modern life through a futuristic lens.
Books on the same thread
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Shares a thread with Futurama: Satirical Science Fiction.
Much like Futurama, this story finds hilarity in the mundane frustrations of bureaucracy and the sheer absurdity of navigating an indifferent, vast, and often baffling universe.
Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut · Book · 1991
Shares a thread with Futurama: Time Travel.
If the time-bending antics of Futurama resonated with you, this narrative offers a darker, deeper exploration of how time travel impacts the human psyche and existential meaning.
Afrofuturism
Ytasha L. Womack · Book · 2013
Explores: racial identity, social justice, cultural identity.
Futurama uses its setting to critique society, and this work provides a vital, intellectual framework for understanding how future visions can redefine our current cultural identity.
The Futurological Congress (from the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy).
Stanisław Lem · Book · 1974
Explores: Reality vs. Illusion, Drug-induced hallucinations, Social Commentary.
Fans of the satirical corporate and societal commentary found in Futurama will appreciate this biting look at how reality can be manipulated by those in power.
Films on the same thread
Sleeper
Woody Allen · Film · 1973
Shares a thread with Futurama: Fish Out of Water.
This film mirrors the cryostasis premise of Futurama, using a fish-out-of-water protagonist to poke fun at the political and social tropes of a strange new future.
The Matrix
Lana Wachowski · Film · 1999
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Reality vs. Illusion, Free Will vs. Determinism.
While Futurama plays with the tropes of science fiction for comedy, this film examines the nature of reality and artificial intelligence with a similar focus on technology.
Idiocracy
Film · 2006
Explores: Anti-intellectualism, Future shock, Consumerism.
This movie shares the exact premise of being displaced in time as seen in Futurama, focusing its biting satire on the decline of intelligence and consumer culture.
Galaxy Quest
Dean Parisot · Film · 1999
Shares a thread with Futurama: Fish Out of Water.
Just as Futurama lovingly mocks the tropes of science fiction, this film captures the same spirit by deconstructing the fan culture surrounding space opera and hero archetypes.
Podcasts on the same thread
Recycle Bin
fpt. · Podcast · 2025
Explores: internet culture, tech industry news, casual conversation.
If you enjoy the humorous banter and satirical take on technology found in Futurama, this podcast provides a modern, conversational deep dive into our digital world.
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
This show echoes the corporate skepticism and cynicism present in Futurama, offering a unfiltered look at the tech industry that aligns with the show's satirical roots.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Futurama?
Futurama follows Philip J. Fry, a 20th-century pizza delivery boy who is cryogenically frozen for one thousand years. Upon waking in the 31st century, he begins working for Planet Express, an interplanetary delivery company operating within a retro-futuristic version of New York City.
When was Futurama first released?
Futurama was created by Matt Groening and first released in 1999. The series focuses on the adventures of Philip J. Fry after he is frozen and transported to the 31st century to work for the delivery company Planet Express.
Who is the main character in Futurama?
The main character of Futurama is Philip J. Fry. He is a pizza delivery boy from the late 20th century who accidentally undergoes cryogenic freezing and wakes up one thousand years later to find employment at an interplanetary delivery company called Planet Express.
Where does Futurama take place?
Futurama takes place in a retro-futuristic version of New York City during the 31st century. The story centers on the experiences of Philip J. Fry after he is cryogenically frozen for one thousand years and starts a new job at Planet Express.