If you loved
Horrible Histories
Terry Deary · Series · 2009
You loved Horrible Histories because you appreciate how it transforms the gruesome, absurd, and often disgusting realities of human history into laugh-out-loud comedy.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution
Brian Kilmeade · Book · 2013
If Horrible Histories captured your interest with its unconventional look at the past, this deep dive into revolutionary espionage provides a similarly focused, albeit more serious, historical narrative.
All My Friends Are Dead
Avery Monsen, Jory John · Book · 2013
The dark, ironic wit found in this book mirrors the gallows humor that made Horrible Histories so memorable, proving that even the most morbid topics can be hilariously presented.
Knights of the Kitchen Table
Jon Scieszka · Book · 1993
Much like Horrible Histories, this series uses the premise of time travel to place characters into historical settings, resulting in an adventurous and humorous exploration of the past.
Darkmans
Nicola Barker · Book · 2007
This novel shares the cynical, satirical view of history seen in Horrible Histories, treating the repetitive nature of human trauma and past events as a grotesque, recurring joke.
Films on the same thread
Monty Python's The Meaning of Life
Terry Jones · Film · 1983
The surreal, sketch-based format of this film is the clear spiritual predecessor to the anarchic style of Horrible Histories, turning life's biggest questions into a series of outrageous vignettes.
History of the World: Part I
Mel Brooks · Film · 1981
This film delivers the same irreverent, anachronistic spoofing of major historical events that defined Horrible Histories, proving that no era is too sacred to be turned into a comedy.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Trey Parker · Film · 1999
The vulgar, biting satire found here echoes the boundary-pushing nature of Horrible Histories, showing that when you pair controversial topics with comedy, the result is both shocking and hilarious.
And Now for Something Completely Different
Ian MacNaughton · Film · 1971
Fans of the sketch comedy structure in Horrible Histories will recognize the roots of that anarchic humor in these classic, absurdist skits that prioritize laughs above all else.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Justin McElroy, Dr. Sydnee McElroy · Podcast · 2026
Just as Horrible Histories focused on the grossest parts of the past, this podcast highlights the weird, bad, and medically misguided ways humans have attempted to fix themselves throughout history.
Story Pirates
Story Pirates · Podcast · 2026
This podcast shares the collaborative, sketch-based spirit of Horrible Histories, using comedy to bring creative and imaginative stories to life for an audience that loves a good laugh.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Horrible Histories based on a book series?
Yes, the 2009 television show is based on the best-selling Horrible Histories books written by Terry Deary. The series maintains the same anarchic and unconventional spirit as the original 1993 source material, focusing on the most gruesome and funny moments throughout human history.
What time periods does Horrible Histories cover?
Horrible Histories explores a wide variety of eras from the past. The show covers topics including the Stone Age, the Middle Ages, the Egyptians, and the Romans. It uses a comedic approach to deliver educational content about these specific historical periods to its audience.
Is Horrible Histories appropriate for younger viewers?
Horrible Histories is based on children's books and features a group of British comedians presenting history. While the show is liberally splattered with references to guts, blood, and poo, it is designed as an unconventional and humorous take on history intended for a younger audience.
How is the content presented in Horrible Histories?
Horrible Histories presents its educational content through an anarchic and unconventional lens. By using a group of British comedians, the show focuses on the most gruesome and funny moments of history, ranging from the Stone Age to the Romans, rather than using a traditional documentary format.