If you loved
Jem
Christy Marx · Series · 1985
What hooked you in Jem was the way it balanced the high-stakes glamour of public performance with the grounding power of female friendship.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Jem and the Holograms
Jon M. Chu · Film · 2015
Books on the same thread
The Teen Model Mystery
Carolyn Keene · Book · 1995
Explores: Modeling Industry, Secrets, Glamour.
If you loved Jem for its mix of secret identities and professional danger, this mystery offers a similar look at the dark side of a glamorous, high-stakes industry.
The Magic School Bus
Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen · Book · 1986
Explores: Science Education, Immersive Learning, Teamwork.
While the tone differs, this story captures the same sense of collaborative problem-solving and transformative adventure that defined the daily lives of the characters in Jem.
Girls Rock!
Mina Carson, Tisa Lewis, Susan M. Shaw · Book · 2014
Shares a thread with Jem: female empowerment.
This exploration of women in the music industry provides the real-world historical context for the empowerment and identity themes that made the band in Jem so iconic.
The City We Became
N. K. Jemisin · Book · 2020
Explores: Sentient Cities, Cultural Identity, Metaphysical Urbanism.
Readers who enjoyed the mythic, transformative nature of the holographic technology in Jem will appreciate this narrative of identity and magic within a vibrant contemporary city setting.
Films on the same thread
Jem and the Holograms
Jon M. Chu · Film · 2015
Explores: Fame, Sisterhood, Identity.
This film revisits the core journey of sisterhood and finding one's voice, directly echoing the musical rise and emotional bonds central to the original Jem animated series.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
The focus on complex artificial intelligence and survival in a harsh universe mirrors the technological wonder and high-stakes drama that kept Jem fans watching every week.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
The deep bond of female friendship and community-driven storytelling found here reflects the same spirit of mutual support and shared secrets that defined the Holograms.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of the original Jem series?
In the 1985 television series Jem, Jerrica Benton uses a holographic computer inherited from her father to transform herself and her friends into a pop music group called Jem and the Holograms. This technology allows them to perform as the band while maintaining their secret identities.
Is the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie a continuation of the 1985 show?
The 2015 film titled Jem and the Holograms is an adaptation of the original 1985 television series created by Christy Marx. It reinterprets the core concept of the show, featuring Jerrica Benton and her group as they navigate the music industry using holographic technology.
Who created the original Jem series?
The television series Jem was created by Christy Marx in 1985. The show follows the story of Jerrica Benton, who utilizes a holographic computer left by her father to lead a musical group known as Jem and the Holograms.
How does Jerrica Benton become Jem?
Jerrica Benton becomes Jem by using a holographic computer she inherited from her father. This device allows her to project holograms that transform her appearance and the appearance of her friends, enabling them to perform as the musical group Jem and the Holograms.