What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedI, Tonya
Craig Gillespie · Film · 2017
If you loved I, Tonya, start with Spinning Out (Samantha Stratton, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to I, Tonya across media.
You were drawn to I, Tonya because it masterfully navigates the intersection of fierce athletic ambition, systemic dysfunction, and raw public spectacle.
Books on the same thread
Spinning
Tillie Walden · Book · 2017
Explores: Self-Discovery, Identity, First Love.
Like I, Tonya, this memoir captures the isolating intensity of competitive figure skating, grounding the high-stakes world of the ice in a deeply personal story of identity and struggle.
Atonement
Ian McEwan · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with I, Tonya: Class Conflict.
Much like the complex characters in I, Tonya, this narrative examines the lasting impact of childhood trauma and how subjective memory shapes the way we perceive our own destructive actions.
The Boys in the Boat
Daniel James Brown · Book
Explores: Perseverance, Teamwork, Great Depression era.
If you appreciated the gritty, high-stakes pursuit of athletic glory in I, Tonya, you will value this account of the relentless perseverance required to reach the Olympic stage.
Educated: A Memoir
Tara Westover · Book · 2018
Explores: Family dysfunction, Self-discovery, Overcoming adversity.
This memoir mirrors the harsh family dynamics found in I, Tonya, exploring how an individual breaks free from a stifling, dysfunctional environment to define their own path toward success.
Series on the same thread
Spinning Out
Samantha Stratton · Series · 2020
Shares 2 threads with I, Tonya: Ambition, Sports Drama.
This series echoes the central tensions of I, Tonya, focusing on the precarious balance between elite athletic ambition, family pressures, and the fragile mental health of a young skater.
Yuri!!! on Ice
Series · 2016
Explores: Finding Purpose, Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Overcoming Adversity.
Fans of the competitive skating world in I, Tonya will find a more hopeful exploration of the sport, where mentor-mentee relationships provide a vital lifeline during moments of adversity.
Hawkeye
Jonathan Igla · Series · 2021
Explores: Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Legacy, Redemption.
This series captures the chaotic, messy intersection of legacy and redemption seen in I, Tonya, as characters navigate the consequences of past trauma while attempting to prove themselves worthy.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
If you enjoyed the dark, satirical look at athlete misconduct in I, Tonya, this podcast provides an equally unmerciful and humorous investigation into the world of sports-related legal absurdity.
Stugotz and Company
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: absurdism, unfiltered opinion, camaraderie.
This podcast shares the irreverent and unfiltered energy found in I, Tonya, offering a satirical take on the sports world that thrives on the same absurdity you enjoyed onscreen.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is I, Tonya based on a true story?
I, Tonya is a 2017 film directed by Craig Gillespie that dramatizes the life of competitive ice skater Tonya Harding. It follows her rise through the U.S. Figure Skating Championships and the subsequent controversy involving her ex-husband that threatened her professional future.
What is the main conflict in I, Tonya?
The central conflict in I, Tonya involves the career of competitive ice skater Tonya Harding. While she successfully rises through the ranks of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, her future in the sport is jeopardized after her ex-husband intervenes in her affairs.
Who directed I, Tonya?
I, Tonya was directed by Craig Gillespie and released in 2017. The film depicts the competitive career of ice skater Tonya Harding and the complications that arise when her ex-husband intervenes, casting doubt on her future within the sport.
What happens to Tonya Harding in I, Tonya?
In I, Tonya, the protagonist achieves success at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. However, her professional trajectory is interrupted when her ex-husband intervenes, creating a situation that puts her entire future in the sport of figure skating into doubt.