What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHard Luck
Jeff Kinney · Book · 2013
If you loved Hard Luck, start with Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Thor Freudenthal, 2010) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Hard Luck across media.
If you enjoyed the messy social navigation of Hard Luck, you will appreciate these stories about surviving awkward transitions.
Films on the same thread
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Thor Freudenthal · Film · 2010
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Coming-of-age comedy.
Because you loved the middle school survival stakes in Hard Luck, this film captures the same humiliating social hierarchy and the specific angst of navigating the hallway environment.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Film · 2011
Explores: Sibling rivalry, Middle school struggles, Family dynamics.
Fans of the self-centered protagonist in Hard Luck will recognize the familiar sibling friction and the desperate attempt to maintain status while dealing with family-induced chaos.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Film · 2012
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Peer pressure.
Much like the peer pressure and social dilemmas faced in Hard Luck, this story highlights the frustration of having your personal plans derailed by difficult family expectations.
Series on the same thread
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
Scott Fellows · Series · 2004
Explores: School life, Friendship, Self-improvement.
If you appreciated the tactical approach to school life in Hard Luck, this show offers a similar guide to surviving junior high hurdles through relatable humor and friendship.
Awkward.
Lauren Iungerich · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Hard Luck: Social Awkwardness.
The social awkwardness that defines Hard Luck is mirrored here, as a simple misunderstanding spirals into the kind of chaotic identity crisis that every teenager eventually faces.
Red Dwarf
Doug Naylor · Series · 1988
Explores: Existentialism, Slacker Humor, Male Bonding.
If Hard Luck hit, Red Dwarf shares the thread.
Bluey
Joe Brumm · Series · 2018
Explores: Family Relationships, Imaginative Play, Childhood Development.
If Hard Luck hit, Bluey shares the thread.
Podcasts on the same thread
We Can Do Hard Things
Treat Media and Glennon Doyle · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Vulnerability, Personal growth, Emotional support.
If Hard Luck hit, We Can Do Hard Things shares the thread.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If Hard Luck hit, Dan Carlin's Hardcore History shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Hard Luck the eighth book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series?
Yes, Hard Luck is the eighth installment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It was released in November 2013 and follows Greg Heffley as he deals with his best friend Rowley Jefferson ditching him and the challenges of finding new friends.
Did Hard Luck win any awards for the series?
Hard Luck was recognized for its popularity among readers. The book received the Nickelodeon 2014 Kids Choice Award for Favourite Book, highlighting its success as a globally bestselling entry in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series written by Jeff Kinney.
What is the main conflict Greg Heffley faces in Hard Luck?
In Hard Luck, Greg Heffley is on a losing streak. The primary conflict driving the story is that his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, forcing Greg to navigate the difficult process of finding new friends to replace his former best friend.
Who is the author of Hard Luck?
Hard Luck was written by Jeff Kinney. It is part of his award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book serves as the eighth entry in the franchise and continues the humorous story of the main character, Greg Heffley, as he struggles through his middle school experiences.