What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGet On Up
Tate Taylor · Film · 2014
If you loved Get On Up, start with The Get Down (Baz Luhrmann, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Get On Up across media.
If you loved Get On Up, you will appreciate how these stories chronicle the arduous climb from humble origins to legendary musical or personal status.
Books on the same thread
Up from Slavery
Booker T. Washington · Book · 2011
Shares a thread with Get On Up: Overcoming Adversity.
Much like the protagonist of Get On Up, Booker T. Washington demonstrates a relentless drive to overcome systemic barriers and poverty, turning a difficult upbringing into an enduring legacy.
UP FROM SLAVERY (An Autobiography)
Booker T. Washington · Book · 2017
Shares a thread with Get On Up: overcoming adversity.
This autobiography mirrors the trajectory seen in Get On Up, focusing on the transformative power of education and personal determination when rising from the hardships of early life.
The Color Purple
Alice Walker · Book · 2011
Explores: female resilience, intergenerational trauma, sisterhood.
You will recognize the profound resilience against adversity featured in Get On Up within this narrative, as the characters struggle to define their own worth despite challenging circumstances.
The Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown · Book
Explores: Perseverance, Teamwork, Great Depression era.
Just as Get On Up explores the grit required to achieve greatness, this story follows athletes who persevere through the Great Depression to reach the pinnacle of their craft.
Series on the same thread
The Get Down
Baz Luhrmann · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Get On Up: Musical Innovation.
If the musical innovation of Get On Up captivated you, this series offers a similar look at how raw talent and youthful ambition can fundamentally reshape the music landscape.
The New Edition Story
Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Get On Up: Biographical Drama.
This chronicle of R&B pioneers echoes the themes of fame and fortune found in Get On Up, highlighting the complex personal costs of navigating a life in the spotlight.
The Temptations
Series · 1998
Shares 2 threads with Get On Up: Biographical Drama, Musical Biography.
This biography captures the same behind-the-scenes tensions and group dynamics that defined the career of the central figure in Get On Up, exploring the price of musical success.
The Defiant Ones
Series · 2017
Explores: Partnership, Mentorship, Cultural Impact.
The improbable partnerships and cultural impact explored here provide a perfect companion to Get On Up, showcasing the mentorship and industry influence behind legendary musical careers and icons.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
These biographical anecdotes offer a deeper look at the obscure life stories that shape American history, much like the way Get On Up dramatizes the reality behind music.
A New Untold Story
Podcast
Shares a thread with Get On Up: Overcoming adversity.
This podcast shares the spirit of overcoming adversity present in Get On Up, focusing on an individual who defies low expectations to carve out a unique personal identity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Get On Up a biographical film about James Brown?
Yes, Get On Up is a 2014 film directed by Tate Taylor that chronicles the life of James Brown. It documents his journey from experiencing extreme poverty as a child to becoming one of the most influential musicians in music history.
What is the primary focus of Get On Up?
The primary focus of Get On Up is the rise of James Brown. The narrative explores his development as an artist and his transition from a difficult, impoverished upbringing to achieving global success and influence as a musician.
Who directed the movie Get On Up?
The movie Get On Up was directed by Tate Taylor. Released in 2014, the film serves as a biographical chronicle detailing the life and professional trajectory of musician James Brown.
Does Get On Up cover James Brown's entire life story?
Get On Up covers the trajectory of James Brown's life, specifically focusing on his rise from extreme poverty. The film aims to depict his path to becoming an influential musician by highlighting the key stages of his development and career.