What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedHumans of New York
Brandon Stanton · Book · 2013
If you loved Humans of New York, start with Humans of Bombay presents How The Hell Did I Do It? — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Humans of New York across media.
What hooked you in Humans of New York was the way intimate, candid storytelling reveals the beating, complex heart of urban life.
Films on the same thread
Paris Is Burning
Jennie Livingston · Film · 1991
Explores: Found family, Intersectionality, Performative identity.
Just as Humans of New York centers marginalized voices, this documentary captures the raw, authentic personal narratives of a subculture, grounding systemic issues in deeply human, lived experiences.
Manhattan
Woody Allen · Film · 1979
Explores: Infidelity, Age Gap Romance, Existential Crisis.
If you appreciated the way Humans of New York documents the specific atmosphere of the city, you will enjoy how this film uses the urban landscape to frame personal neurosis.
New York Stories
Martin Scorsese · Film · 1989
Explores: Artist's Muse, Mother-Son Relationship, Urban Loneliness.
Like the diverse portraits in Humans of New York, this anthology explores the varied, often lonely emotional lives of city dwellers through a series of focused, character-driven vignettes.
Man with a Movie Camera
Dziga Vertov · Film · 1929
Explores: Urban modernism, Meta-cinematic self-reflexivity, Industrialization.
This film shares the observational spirit of Humans of New York, utilizing the camera as a tool to document the mechanical and rhythmic pulse of daily urban existence.
Series on the same thread
How I Met Your Mother
Carter Bays · Series · 2005
Shares a thread with Humans of New York: Urban Life.
The focus on personal history and the importance of individual storytelling in Humans of New York is reflected here as a father recounts his life through nostalgic, interconnected memories.
Friends
Marta Kauffman · Series · 1994
Explores: Friendship, Relationships, Coming of Age.
Similar to how Humans of New York highlights the necessity of human connection, this show explores how individuals find support and belonging while navigating the pressures of city life.
How To with John Wilson
John Wilson · Series · 2020
Explores: New York City life, Anxiety, Self-discovery.
This series mirrors the candid, street-level curiosity of Humans of New York, as the filmmaker obsessively observes and documents the quiet, often overlooked lives of his fellow New Yorkers.
Orange Is the New Black
Jenji Kohan · Series · 2013
Explores: Female Ensemble, Incarceration, Social Class.
Much like the personal profiles in Humans of New York, this show peels back layers of identity and background, revealing the complex human stories hidden behind external circumstances.
Podcasts on the same thread
Humans of Bombay presents How The Hell Did I Do It?
Podcast
Explores: success stories, entrepreneurship, career advice.
This podcast continues the legacy of Humans of New York by prioritizing the personal journey and unique life experiences of each guest through an intimate, interview-based format.
Tuesdays with Stories!
Tuesdays with Stories! · Podcast
Explores: anecdotes, stand-up comedy, observational humor.
If you valued the conversational style of Humans of New York, you will appreciate how this podcast highlights the art of storytelling through humorous, lived-in anecdotes from city residents.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the origin story of Humans of New York?
Humans of New York began in the summer of 2010 when photographer Brandon Stanton started an ambitious project to create a photographic census of New York City. The project evolved from simple street photography into a collection of in-depth, intriguing, and moving interviews with people he encountered on the streets.
Is Humans of New York just a collection of photographs?
While it began as a photographic project, Humans of New York is defined by the dialogue Stanton has with his subjects. The interviews accompanying the photos have become increasingly in-depth and moving, turning the project into a compelling record of the personal stories found throughout New York City.
How did Brandon Stanton develop the concept for Humans of New York?
Brandon Stanton single-handedly created Humans of New York by approaching strangers on the streets of New York City. He began by taking photos, but the project grew into a dialogue-heavy experience where the interviews became just as significant and impactful as the portraits he captured for the blog.
What can I expect from the content in Humans of New York?
You can expect a series of portraits paired with personal interviews that capture the lives of individuals in New York City. The content of Humans of New York focuses on the moving, intriguing, and in-depth stories shared by the people Brandon Stanton encountered during his photographic census of the city.