What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGoodbye, Lara
Series · 2026
If you loved Goodbye, Lara, start with The Little Mermaid (John Musker, 1989) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Goodbye, Lara across media.
What hooked you in Goodbye, Lara was the way the weight of eternal existence clashes with the desperate search for connection.
Start with the source
The source
The Little Mermaid
John Musker · Film · 1989
Adaptation
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Film · 2000
Books on the same thread
The Little Mermaid
H. C. Andersen · Book · 2003
Explores: Sacrifice, Longing, Transformation.
Return to the roots of the story that inspired Goodbye, Lara by exploring the original themes of sacrifice and the longing for an immortal human soul.
Thief, Witch, & Liar
Emmarayn Redding · Book · 2025
Shares 2 threads with Goodbye, Lara: Fairy Tale Retelling, Dark Fantasy.
Much like the precarious situation in Goodbye, Lara, this story pits a protagonist against a powerful witch while navigating the complexities of forbidden and seductive romantic entanglements.
The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood & Boyfriends
Jamie D'Amato · Book · 2025
Explores: Suicide Attempt, Coming of Age, Secret Identity.
Brennan’s struggle to reconcile his supernatural identity with the desire for a normal human life mirrors the existential dread and fish-out-of-water isolation felt by Lara.
Fairy Tale
Stephen King · Book
Explores: coming of age, good versus evil, interdimensional travel.
If the portal fantasy elements of Goodbye, Lara intrigued you, this dark journey into another world highlights the same high-stakes battle between good and evil.
Films on the same thread
The Deadly Little Mermaid
Cameron Uzoka · Film · 2026
Explores: deception, isolation, predatory behavior.
This coastal gothic tale twists the aquatic origin found in Goodbye, Lara into a chilling psychological horror, focusing on the predatory dangers of a hidden, otherworldly past.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
While less dark than Goodbye, Lara, this story captures the same melancholy beauty of finding unexpected, life-changing connections through the lens of deep, lingering grief.
The Bride!
Maggie Gyllenhaal · Film · 2026
Explores: playing god, existential loneliness, bodily autonomy.
The Bride shares the profound existential loneliness and the search for autonomy found in Goodbye, Lara, as both characters navigate the burden of their unnatural, created lives.
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender
Lauren Montgomery · Film · 2026
Explores: found family, hero's journey, cycle of reincarnation.
This epic journey mirrors the sense of being a displaced soul in Goodbye, Lara, focusing on the heavy responsibility of a hero defined by their unique heritage.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
If the tragic romance and survival elements of Goodbye, Lara resonated with you, this audio drama offers a similar exploration of love and loss in hostile environments.
Lore
Aaron Mahnke · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Dark History, Supernatural, Mysterious Events.
The tragic narratives and folklore roots featured here provide the same eerie, atmospheric depth that makes the supernatural premise of Goodbye, Lara so hauntingly compelling.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Goodbye, Lara based on the original The Little Mermaid book?
Goodbye, Lara is a unique story set in Lake Biwa 200 years after the events of the original mermaid legend. While it shares the core premise of a mermaid seeking true love to avoid vanishing into sea foam, it is not a direct adaptation of the 2003 book.
Does Goodbye, Lara follow the same plot as The Little Mermaid movie from 1989?
No, Goodbye, Lara features a distinct narrative where the mermaid protagonist awakens in Lake Biwa centuries after her initial transformation. It differs from the 1989 movie by focusing on her final chance at life and love in a modern setting rather than the original fairy tale events.
Should I watch The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea before Goodbye, Lara?
There is no narrative connection between The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and Goodbye, Lara. You do not need to watch the 2000 movie to understand the plot of Goodbye, Lara, as it is an independent story centered on a mermaid princess in Lake Biwa.
How long does Lara have to find true love in Goodbye, Lara?
In Goodbye, Lara, the protagonist awakens in Lake Biwa with one final chance at life. The magic from the witch's potion dictates that if she fails to secure true love, she will vanish into sea foam forever, marking the conclusion of her 200-year journey.