If you loved
Happiness
Film · 1998
If you loved the way Happiness unspools the desperate, messy intersections of human lives, these selections capture that same haunting, intimate friction.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Happiness
Han Sang-un · Series · 2021
Books on the same thread
Anxious People
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2021
Like Happiness, this book examines how strangers tethered by circumstance reveal their deep-seated anxieties and flawed histories, proving that even the most desperate people crave redemption and connection.
A Visit from the Goon Squad
Jennifer Egan · Book · 2011
This narrative mirrors the structure of Happiness by weaving together the fragmented lives of characters whose pasts and regrets collide, capturing the same poignant sense of isolation and longing.
Kitchen (キッチン)
Banana Yoshimoto · Book · 1988
You will recognize the delicate balance of grief and social comedy found in Happiness; this story explores how loss forces individuals to navigate their dysfunctional surroundings in search of meaning.
Driven To Distraction
Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey · Book · 1995
While Happiness explored the darker side of human behavior, this book provides clinical insight into the impulsive, hyperactive internal drives that often dictate the characters' disturbing choices and social alienation.
Series on the same thread
This Is Us
Dan Fogelman · Series · 2016
This series shares the interest in interconnected life stories seen in Happiness, focusing on the secrets and intergenerational trauma that bind families together despite their complicated and sometimes damaging relationships.
Normal People
Series · 2020
Much like the characters in Happiness, these two individuals struggle with the painful nuances of emotional intimacy, miscommunication, and the quiet desperation inherent in wanting to be truly known.
The White Lotus
Mike White · Series · 2021
This satire captures the same dark, unsettling social observation as Happiness, exposing the toxic relationships and moral ambiguity hiding just beneath the surface of seemingly normal, privileged lives.
Modern Love
John Carney · Series · 2019
This anthology echoes the varied, intersecting human experiences depicted in Happiness, offering a grounded look at the tribulations of modern relationships and the difficult quest for genuine connection.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
This podcast explores the same core theme of Happiness: the profound, often uncomfortable void between professional performance and the desperate, underlying need for real and lasting human friendship.
Lex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman · Podcast · 2026
If the psychological inquiry into the human condition within Happiness captivated you, these long-form conversations provide a deeper intellectual dive into the complex motivations and ethics driving humanity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2021 TV show Happiness related to the 1998 movie Happiness?
No, the 2021 television series Happiness is not related to the 1998 movie Happiness. They are distinct productions that share the same title but feature entirely different stories, themes, and creative teams.
What is the 1998 movie Happiness about?
The 1998 movie Happiness follows the lives of several individuals as they intertwine while engaging in acts that society might find disturbing. It portrays their desperate search for human connection as they navigate their unique lives.
Should I watch the 2021 show if I liked the movie Happiness?
The 2021 show Happiness and the 1998 movie Happiness are not adaptations of each other. If you enjoyed the movie, you should be aware that the 2021 television series is a completely separate project and does not share the same source material.
Are there any official sequels or adaptations of the movie Happiness?
There are no official sequels or adaptations of the 1998 movie Happiness. While a television series titled Happiness was released in 2021, it is not connected to the film or its narrative.