What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGenius
Michael Grandage · Film · 2016
If you loved Genius, start with Genius (Kenneth Biller, 2017) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Genius across media.
If you were captivated by the intense, complicated dynamics of creative genius, these selections explore the volatile intersection of brilliance and human frailty.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Genius
Kenneth Biller · Series · 2017
Books on the same thread
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
Because you admired the literary world depicted in Genius, this classic novel offers an immersive look at the Jazz Age culture that shaped those legendary writers and their work.
F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 1991
Explores: The American Dream, Social Class, Wealth and Status.
This quintessential Jazz Age narrative provides the same historical atmosphere found in Genius, allowing you to experience the era that defined Max Perkins and his most famous literary discoveries.
A Moveable Feast
Ernest Hemingway · Book · 1996
Explores: Creative Struggle, Bohemian Lifestyle, Expatriation.
This memoir offers an intimate, firsthand account of the creative struggles and personal relationships among the same writers that you saw being cultivated by Max Perkins in Genius.
American Prometheus
Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin · Book
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Genius and hubris.
Much like the internal conflict of the artists in Genius, this biography examines the heavy moral burden and personal cost that often accompany a life of profound intellectual brilliance.
Series on the same thread
Hemingway
Series · 2021
Explores: American Authors, The Lost Generation, Masculinity.
If the literary history within Genius fascinated you, this documentary provides a deeper look at the turbulent life and creative process of one of the film's central iconic figures.
The Queen's Gambit
Scott Frank · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Genius: Period Drama.
The compelling exploration of raw talent and the sacrifices made for greatness in Genius is mirrored here, as you witness the personal toll of pursuing a singular, obsessive gift.
Fosse/Verdon
Steven Levenson · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Genius: Biographical Drama.
This biographical drama mirrors the intense creative partnership and volatile intimacy seen in Genius, showcasing how high-stakes collaboration can both fuel and fracture the lives of two brilliant artists.
Sherlock
Mark Gatiss · Series · 2010
Explores: Genius detective, High-functioning sociopath, Unconventional crime solving.
The dynamic between the detective and his partner in this series echoes the complex, symbiotic relationship between the editor and the writer that sits at the heart of Genius.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
If you appreciated the historical depth of Genius, this series offers a rigorous re-examination of the past, challenging your perspective on the foundational narratives that shaped American history.
Revisionist History
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Explores: historical revisionism, cognitive bias, unconventional perspectives.
Just as Genius reconsiders the lives of literary icons, this podcast invites you to look past conventional history, uncovering the hidden complexities behind the figures we thought we knew.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2016 movie Genius based on a true story about Max Perkins?
Yes, the 2016 film Genius depicts the real life of Max Perkins, a prominent literary editor in 1920s New York. The movie follows his professional journey as he discovers and edits the works of legendary authors like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Should I watch the 2017 TV series Genius if I liked the 2016 movie?
While both projects share the title Genius, they are unrelated productions. The 2016 film focuses on literary history and the work of editor Max Perkins, whereas the 2017 television series is an anthology show that explores the lives of various historical figures throughout different seasons.
What is the plot of the 2016 movie Genius?
The 2016 film Genius centers on editor Max Perkins working in 1920s New York. The story begins when Perkins receives a massive, chaotic manuscript from an unknown writer and decides to mentor him, believing he has discovered a significant new literary talent in the process.
Does the movie Genius feature famous writers like Hemingway?
Yes, the 2016 movie Genius includes depictions of literary icons Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The film highlights their professional relationships with Max Perkins, who was the editor responsible for signing these authors during his time working in the New York publishing industry.