What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHis Dark Materials
Philip Pullman · Book · 1995
If you loved His Dark Materials, start with His Dark Materials (Jack Thorne, 2019) — a series from the same story. Below: 1 film, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to His Dark Materials across media.
If you loved His Dark Materials, you crave narratives that challenge authority through the lens of profound, world-altering existential discovery.
Start with the source
Adaptation
His Dark Materials
Jack Thorne · Series · 2019
Films on the same thread
The Golden Compass
Chris Weitz · Film · 2007
Shares 2 threads with His Dark Materials: Good vs Evil, Steampunk Fantasy.
As the direct adaptation of His Dark Materials, this film captures the same sense of destiny and religious oppression that drives Lyra Belacqua through her parallel universe adventure.
Series on the same thread
Fullmetal Alchemist
Series · 2003
Explores: alchemy, brotherhood, redemption.
Like the moral complexity found in His Dark Materials, this series explores the heavy price of forbidden knowledge and the struggle against institutional power through the lens of alchemy.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Shares a thread with His Dark Materials: Good vs Evil.
Fans of His Dark Materials will recognize the unsettling clash between good and evil, as this mystery series masterfully builds a web of existential dread within a small town.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
Explores: Alchemy, Brotherhood, Redemption.
This iteration mirrors the thematic depth of His Dark Materials by examining the consequences of challenging universal laws, centered on brothers caught in a conflict of moral ambiguity.
The Magicians
Sera Gamble · Series · 2015
Explores: Coming of Age, Existential Crisis, The Burden of Power.
Just as His Dark Materials deconstructs the nature of belief, this series explores the burden of power and the shattering of childhood wonder when magical worlds become dangerously real.
Podcasts on the same thread
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Those who appreciate the theological rebellion in His Dark Materials will find this historical analysis compelling for its unflinching look at the consequences of power and human nature.
Dark History
Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold narratives, institutional corruption, societal taboos.
This podcast echoes the spirit of institutional critique present in His Dark Materials by uncovering hidden narratives and systemic corruption that history books often choose to ignore.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is His Dark Materials based on a book series?
Yes, His Dark Materials is based on a classic trilogy written by Philip Pullman. The first volume was published in 1995, and the series has been acclaimed as a modern masterpiece, winning top awards for children's literature while being enjoyed by both adults and children alike.
How does the 2019 His Dark Materials TV show relate to the books?
The 2019 television series is an adaptation of the His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman. The source material has also been previously adapted into the film titled The Golden Compass, which covers the first volume of the acclaimed literary work.
What is the source material for the film The Golden Compass?
The film The Golden Compass is an adaptation of the first volume of the His Dark Materials trilogy. Written by Philip Pullman and first published in 1995, the book follows the story of Lyra and her daemon and serves as the foundation for both the film and the 2019 television series.
Are there different ways to read His Dark Materials?
His Dark Materials is available in a large-format, bind-up edition that collects the trilogy into one volume. This allows readers to experience the complete story of Lyra and her daemon, which has been recognized as a modern masterpiece since the first book was published in 1995.