What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGet Smart
Peter Segal · Film · 2008
If you loved Get Smart, start with Get Smart (Buck Henry, 1965) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Get Smart across media.
What you enjoyed in Get Smart was the hilarious intersection of high-stakes espionage and the bumbling, underdog energy of an ordinary person.
Start with the source
The source
Get Smart
Buck Henry · Series · 1965
Books on the same thread
Spy School
Stuart Gibbs · Book
Explores: imposter syndrome, competence porn, underdog hero.
If you loved the underdog hero dynamic in Get Smart, you will appreciate this story of a boy suddenly thrust into the high-pressure world of a junior spy academy.
Get Shorty
Elmore Leonard · Book · 1990
Explores: Fish-out-of-water, Hollywood satire, Mobster in Hollywood.
Like the fish-out-of-water premise in Get Smart, this story features a mobster navigating a new, unfamiliar world, proving that career changes often lead to unexpected and humorous chaos.
Intelligence in an Insecure World
Peter Gill, Mark Phythian · Book · 2006
Explores: Intelligence gathering, National security, Democratic control.
While Get Smart parodies the agency, this book provides the grounded reality of intelligence work, perfect if you want to understand the actual world behind the movie's secret agents.
Spy x Family, Vol. 1
Tatsuya Endo · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Get Smart: Action comedy.
This series mirrors the secret identity themes in Get Smart, balancing high-stakes espionage with the domestic farce that arises when spies attempt to lead a normal-looking family life.
Series on the same thread
Chuck
Josh Schwartz · Series · 2007
Shares 2 threads with Get Smart: Spy Comedy, Action Comedy.
Fans of the reluctant hero in Get Smart will find a perfect match in this series, where an ordinary computer geek is suddenly forced into the world of espionage.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with Get Smart: Action Comedy, Parody.
This show captures the satirical espionage spirit of Get Smart, focusing on a group of people who must maintain false identities while navigating a dangerous, high-stakes undercover mission.
MacGyver
Lee David Zlotoff · Series · 1985
Explores: Ingenuity, Problem-solving, Non-violence.
If you appreciated the resourcefulness required to survive in Get Smart, you will enjoy watching this secret agent use everyday items and pure wit to solve complex problems.
Mr. Bean
Richard Curtis · Series · 1990
Explores: Social Awkwardness, Misunderstanding, Incompetence.
Those who enjoyed the physical comedy and blunders in Get Smart will appreciate how this character turns mundane daily tasks into a series of hilariously chaotic and unavoidable accidents.
Podcasts on the same thread
SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett · Podcast · 2026
Explores: camaraderie, spontaneity, shared life experiences.
The camaraderie and organic hilarity found in Get Smart translate well to this podcast, which relies on spontaneous, lighthearted banter to connect with listeners through shared life experiences.
NerdCast
Jovem Nerd · Podcast
Explores: humor, satire, current events commentary.
If the satirical approach to pop culture in Get Smart resonated with you, this podcast offers a similar brand of humor through its ongoing commentary on current events.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2008 Get Smart movie a direct remake of the 1965 television series?
The 2008 Get Smart film is an adaptation of the original 1965 television series. While the movie features the same core agency and character dynamics, it updates the premise of Maxwell Smart transitioning from an analyst to a field agent to thwart the crime syndicate known as KAOS.
Does Get Smart feature the same characters as the 1965 show?
Yes, Get Smart includes the iconic characters Maxwell Smart and Agent 99. In the 2008 film, these two agents must work together to protect the agency Control after their identities are compromised by the nefarious crime syndicate KAOS, mirroring the spirit of the 1965 television series.
What is the main conflict in the 2008 Get Smart film?
The primary conflict in Get Smart involves the nefarious crime syndicate KAOS attacking the U.S. spy agency Control. This forces the Chief to promote the analyst Maxwell Smart to field agent status, where he partners with Agent 99 to stop the group's plans for world domination.
Should I watch the original Get Smart television series before the 2008 movie?
Watching the 1965 Get Smart television series is not required to enjoy the 2008 film, as the movie provides a self-contained story about Maxwell Smart and Agent 99. However, fans of the original show may appreciate the updated portrayal of the characters and the conflict with KAOS.