What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHe's All That
Mark Waters · Film · 2021
If you loved He's All That, start with The Heirs (Kim Eun-sook, 2013) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to He's All That across media.
If you loved He's All That, you likely crave stories that blend social status, high-stakes transformations, and the messy pursuit of popularity.
Books on the same thread
If We Were a Movie
Zakiya N Jamal · Book · 2025
Explores: Academic Rivalry, Black-Owned Business, Movie Theater Setting.
Like He's All That, this story thrives on the friction between social reputation and romance, capturing that same sharp, competitive energy found within the halls of high school.
The Love Haters
Katherine Center · Book
Explores: Career reinvention, Opposites attract, Emotional vulnerability.
Much like the career-salvaging motivations in He's All That, this narrative uses a professional mission to force two opposites together, proving that reinvention often leads to unexpected romance.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino · Book · 2021
Explores: Nostalgia, Fame and Obsolescence, Counter-culture.
If the meta-narrative and fame-focused themes of He's All That appealed to you, you will appreciate this deep dive into the performative nature of Hollywood success and obsolescence.
Fairy Tale
Stephen King · Book
Explores: coming of age, good versus evil, interdimensional travel.
While the genre differs, the core coming-of-age journey mirrors the transformative arc seen in He's All That, focusing on how a sudden shift in environment forces personal growth.
Series on the same thread
The Heirs
Kim Eun-sook · Series · 2013
Explores: Class Difference, Forbidden Love, Coming of Age.
This series mirrors the high-status social dynamics of He's All That, exploring how rigid school hierarchies and class differences complicate the lives of teenagers searching for authentic connections.
True Beauty
Series · 2020
Shares a thread with He's All That: Transformation.
The reliance on physical transformation to navigate social anxiety in this show perfectly echoes the makeover plot of He's All That, emphasizing the pressure to maintain a perfect image.
Never Have I Ever
Mindy Kaling · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with He's All That: High School Comedy.
This series captures the same high school social climbing obsession as He's All That, focusing on a protagonist desperately trying to pivot from social pariah to popular trendsetter.
Boys Over Flowers
Yoon Ji-ryun · Series · 2009
Explores: Class differences, Forbidden Love, Bullying.
The dynamic between a powerful, elite student and an underdog outsider in this show is the spiritual predecessor to the central romance featured in He's All That.
Podcasts on the same thread
Insta Love
Podcast
Shares a thread with He's All That: revenge plot.
This podcast explores the intersection of influencer culture and complex rivalries, directly addressing the social media obsession that serves as the foundation for He's All That.
Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
Spotify Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: dark human nature, criminal psychology, public fascination.
While darker, this show taps into the public fascination with image and reputation that drives the central conflict of He's All That, highlighting the consequences of curated public personas.
Common questions
Is He's All That based on a true story?
He's All That is a fictional movie released in 2021 directed by Mark Waters. The plot follows an influencer who attempts to transform an unpopular classmate into a prom king as an act of revenge against her ex-boyfriend.
What is the primary plot of He's All That?
The story of He's All That centers on an influencer who decides to seek revenge on her ex-boyfriend. She chooses to do this by attempting to transform an unpopular classmate into the prom king.
Who directed He's All That?
He's All That was directed by Mark Waters. The 2021 film features a narrative about an influencer who tries to turn an unpopular classmate into a prom king to get back at her former boyfriend.
Does He's All That involve a prom king transformation?
Yes, the central premise of He's All That involves an influencer who attempts to transform an unpopular classmate into the prom king. She initiates this plan as a method of revenge against her ex-boyfriend.