What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGrumpy Monkey
Suzanne Lang · Book · 2021
If you loved Grumpy Monkey, start with Ron's Gone Wrong (Sarah Smith, 2021) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Grumpy Monkey across media.
You appreciate how Grumpy Monkey validates big, messy feelings and the vital importance of being allowed to simply have a bad day.
Films on the same thread
Monsters, Inc.
Pete Docter · Film · 2001
Shares a thread with Grumpy Monkey: Friendship.
Much like the friends in Grumpy Monkey who struggle to understand Jim, this film explores the awkward friction between emotional expression and social expectations within a colorful, character-driven world.
Dumbo
Ben Sharpsteen · Film · 1941
Shares 3 threads with Grumpy Monkey: Self-acceptance, Friendship, Animal Story.
Dumbo mirrors the journey of self-acceptance found in Grumpy Monkey, showing how embracing one's unique traits and feelings is essential to overcoming the pressure to fit in with others.
Ron's Gone Wrong
Sarah Smith · Film · 2021
Shares a thread with Grumpy Monkey: Friendship.
If you valued the way Jim navigated peer pressure in Grumpy Monkey, you will identify with this story of a protagonist who finds comfort in being different from the norm.
Wonder
Film · 2017
Shares a thread with Grumpy Monkey: Self-acceptance.
This film provides a deeper look at the theme of inclusion explored in Grumpy Monkey, focusing on how a supportive environment helps individuals navigate their own unique emotional experiences.
Series on the same thread
Bluey
Joe Brumm · Series · 2018
Explores: Family Relationships, Imaginative Play, Childhood Development.
Bluey echoes the emotional intelligence lessons of Grumpy Monkey, teaching children that experiencing a full range of feelings is a natural and healthy part of growing up and playing.
Fraggle Rock
Jim Henson · Series · 1983
Explores: Interconnectedness, Environmentalism, Cultural Exchange.
The community dynamics in this show reflect the social pressures Jim faces in Grumpy Monkey, emphasizing how empathy and patience allow for better understanding between very different types of characters.
Sesame Street
Lloyd Morrisett · Series · 1969
Shares a thread with Grumpy Monkey: Friendship.
Sesame Street shares the core mission of Grumpy Monkey by providing a safe space to explore complex social concepts and emotions through the lens of relatable, character-led storytelling.
Shaun the Sheep
Richard Starzak · Series · 2007
Explores: Anthropomorphism, Mischief, Animal Antics.
This series captures the lighthearted animal antics found in Grumpy Monkey while highlighting the importance of friendship and support when navigating the daily troubles of a social group.
Podcasts on the same thread
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
If Grumpy Monkey hit, Grumpy Old Geeks shares the thread.
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
If Grumpy Monkey hit, Sh**ged Married Annoyed shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Grumpy Monkey about a chimpanzee who is having a bad day?
Yes, Grumpy Monkey follows Jim the chimpanzee as he experiences a bad mood for no apparent reason. Despite the beautiful weather and his friends' attempts to cheer him up by suggesting he smile and stop hunching, Jim ultimately struggles to manage his feelings and has a meltdown.
Why is Jim the chimpanzee grumpy in Grumpy Monkey?
The story of Grumpy Monkey reveals that Jim is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends try to understand his behavior, but he eventually realizes that he simply needs to have a day to feel grumpy rather than forcing himself to act happy.
Does Grumpy Monkey show Jim the chimpanzee taking advice from his friends?
In Grumpy Monkey, Jim's friends encourage him to stop hunching and to smile to improve his mood. Jim attempts to follow this advice, but he finds he cannot take it and eventually experiences a meltdown because he is not ready to change his current emotional state.
What is the main conflict in Grumpy Monkey?
The central conflict in Grumpy Monkey involves Jim the chimpanzee feeling grumpy on a beautiful day. His friends struggle to understand why he cannot be happy, leading to a situation where Jim must navigate their unwanted advice and his own need to process his bad mood.