What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHoles
Andrew Davis · Film · 2003
If you loved Holes, start with Holes (Louis Sachar, 2018) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Holes across media.
What hooked you in Holes was the way an ordinary life gets caught in a web of injustice, mystery, and fated discovery.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain · Book · 2009
Explores: Racism, Freedom, Moral Development.
Like the journey of Stanley Yelnats in Holes, this classic explores the moral development of a young boy navigating a harsh world that treats him with deep suspicion.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Holes: Coming-of-Age Story.
If the underdog spirit of Holes resonated with you, you will appreciate this story of an overlooked boy finding his true identity and destiny against overwhelming odds.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
Mark Haddon · Book · 2003
Shares a thread with Holes: Coming-of-Age Story.
Much like the mystery-solving element of Holes, this narrative follows a young protagonist whose unique perspective allows him to uncover buried family secrets and hidden truths.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
The reluctant hero trope that made Holes so memorable is center stage here as a quiet character is thrust into a perilous quest for lost treasure.
Series on the same thread
Prison Break
Paul T. Scheuring · Series · 2005
Shares 2 threads with Holes: Redemption, Justice.
Fans of the wrongful imprisonment plot in Holes will find this high-stakes escape story familiar as it centers on an innocent man fighting to prove his innocence.
Arrested Development
Mitchell Hurwitz · Series · 2003
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Wealth and Privilege, Family Business.
While Holes uses a family curse to drive its narrative, this show explores the chaotic consequences of a dysfunctional family losing everything they once took for granted.
I Will Find You
Series · 2026
Explores: parental devotion, search for truth, institutional corruption.
Mirroring the wrongful conviction at the heart of Holes, this gripping story follows a father who must overcome an unjust system to reclaim his lost family life.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay · Series · 2019
Explores: Racial injustice, Wrongful conviction, Systemic racism.
The themes of systemic injustice and the struggle of innocent youth seen in Holes are explored here through a powerful, real-world lens that demands your full attention.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
If you enjoyed the cinematic mystery and unexpected twists of Holes, you will appreciate how these short, immersive audio stories explore the complexities of the human condition.
Criminal
Podcast
Shares 2 threads with Holes: Justice, Redemption.
Building on the fascination with justice and wrongful conviction presented in Holes, this investigative series dives into the real-world stories of those caught in the legal system.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the Holes movie based on a book?
Yes, the 2003 film Holes is an adaptation of the source material. You can read the book titled Holes, which was published in 2018, to experience the story of Stanley Yelnats and the mystery at Camp Green Lake in a different format.
What is the premise of the movie Holes?
The movie Holes follows Stanley Yelnats, who is wrongfully convicted of stealing shoes. He is sent to a detention facility called Camp Green Lake, where boys dig holes in the desert. Stanley eventually uncovers a mystery involving the warden and his own family history.
Should I read the book Holes before watching the movie?
You can enjoy the story in either order. Both the 2018 book Holes and the 2003 film adaptation cover the same plot involving Stanley Yelnats, his time at Camp Green Lake, and the mystery behind the holes the boys are forced to dig.
Does the movie Holes feature the same characters as the book?
Yes, the 2003 movie Holes features the same core narrative and characters found in the book titled Holes. Both versions focus on Stanley Yelnats and his experiences at the Camp Green Lake detention facility while he works to solve the mystery surrounding his family.