What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedIf We Were a Movie
Zakiya N Jamal · Book · 2025
If you loved If We Were a Movie, start with Red, White & Royal Blue (Matthew López, 2023) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to If We Were a Movie across media.
What hooked you in If We Were a Movie was the way academic rivalry and high-stakes ambition collide with intense, burgeoning queer romance.
Films on the same thread
Red, White & Royal Blue
Matthew López · Film · 2023
Shares 2 threads with If We Were a Movie: Self-Discovery, Contemporary Romance.
Like If We Were a Movie, this story thrives on the friction of forced proximity, turning a high-pressure public rivalry into a deeply personal and vulnerable connection.
People We Meet on Vacation
Film · 2026
Explores: opposites attract, long-distance friendship, emotional intimacy.
If We Were a Movie fans will appreciate how this narrative explores the tension between long-term shared history and the evolving romantic feelings that emerge between close companions.
Don't Say Good Luck
Julia Hart · Film · 2026
Explores: family conflict, performance anxiety, high school social hierarchy.
This dramedy mirrors the high school social pressures found in If We Were a Movie, focusing on the intersection of performance, personal ambition, and evolving emotional landscapes.
Roommates
Chandler Levack · Film · 2026
Explores: Female friendship dynamics, Passive-aggressive conflict, Social hierarchy.
The sharp, passive-aggressive dynamic between roommates here echoes the competitive intensity of If We Were a Movie, focusing on how rivalry can complicate and define formative college relationships.
Series on the same thread
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Shares a thread with If We Were a Movie: Contemporary Romance.
Just as in If We Were a Movie, this series centers on the magnetic pull of professional rivalry, proving that the most intense career ambitions often lead to profound intimacy.
Off Campus
Gina Fattore · Series · 2026
Explores: Fake Dating, Emotional Healing, Coming-of-age.
If We Were a Movie readers will recognize the familiar blend of college-aged ambition and romantic development, where structured deals and tutoring arrangements eventually spark real, life-changing connections.
Every Year After
Series · 2026
Shares a thread with If We Were a Movie: contemporary romance.
This story captures the same sense of nostalgic yearning found in If We Were a Movie, exploring how formative relationships are shaped by destiny and the passage of time.
Podcasts on the same thread
Insta Love
Podcast
Explores: second chance romance, influencer culture, content creation.
This podcast mirrors the workplace and academic intersection featured in If We Were a Movie, highlighting how professional challenges and past history complicate the path to romance.
The Youth Mind
Podcast
Explores: mindset, personal development, emotional intelligence.
Fans of the thoughtful, character-driven narrative in If We Were a Movie will appreciate this deep dive into the books and themes that define the modern youth experience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is If We Were a Movie a queer romance?
Yes, If We Were a Movie is a queer romance novel. It follows a central enemies-to-lovers dynamic set within a historic Black-owned movie theater located in the suburbs of Long Island.
What is the setting of If We Were a Movie?
If We Were a Movie is set in the suburbs of Long Island. The story takes place primarily at a historic Black-owned movie theater, where the narrative follows the quirky employees who work there.
Who is the author of If We Were a Movie?
The book If We Were a Movie was written by Zakiya N. Jamal. This 2025 release serves as her debut novel and features a plot centered on a romance between coworkers at a local cinema.
Should I read If We Were a Movie if I like Leah Johnson?
If you are a fan of Leah Johnson, you may enjoy If We Were a Movie. The book is recommended for readers who appreciate that style of contemporary young adult fiction and the enemies-to-lovers trope.