What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJem
Christy Marx · Series · 1985
If you loved Jem, start with Jem and the Holograms (Jon M. Chu, 2015) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 1 film and 2 podcasts, each matched to Jem across media.
What hooked you in Jem was the way a secret identity and a touch of magic empower ordinary girls to transform their lives.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Jem and the Holograms
Jon M. Chu · Film · 2015
Books on the same thread
Jackaroo
Cynthia Voigt · Book · 1985
Explores: Identity, Role-Playing, Justice.
Like Jem, this story explores the duality of a hidden identity. You will appreciate how the protagonist uses a secret persona to pursue justice while navigating the complexities of growing up.
The Magic School Bus
Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen · Book · 1986
Explores: Science Education, Immersive Learning, Teamwork.
Much like the holographic transformation in Jem, this series centers on immersive, magical shifts in reality. You will enjoy how the characters use these extraordinary experiences to solve shared problems.
Nancy Drew
Various authors as Carolyn Keene · Book · 1930
Shares a thread with Jem: Female empowerment.
If the female empowerment of Jem resonated with you, this classic mystery series offers a similar focus on a capable, independent young woman solving puzzles and navigating her world with confidence.
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling · Book
Explores: coming-of-age, good versus evil, boarding school.
This story mirrors the hero's journey found in Jem, focusing on a protagonist who discovers hidden abilities. You will connect with the theme of finding one's true place while fighting evil.
Films on the same thread
Jem and the Holograms
Jon M. Chu · Film · 2015
Explores: Fame, Sisterhood, Identity.
This adaptation captures the spirit of Jem by focusing on the music industry and the importance of sisterhood. You will see how the drive to find one's voice mirrors the original.
Podcasts on the same thread
Jem's Coffee Shop
Podcast
Explores: personal anecdotes, lifestyle, casual conversation.
For those who enjoyed the personal connection to the character of Jem, this podcast offers a similar intimate, conversational space where listeners can engage with the host's daily life and reflections.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This sci-fi audio drama shares the high-stakes, transformative nature of Jem. You will be drawn to the themes of survival and complex identities within a vast, unpredictable and futuristic universe.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Jem and the Holograms a direct sequel to the 1985 series?
The 2015 movie Jem and the Holograms is an adaptation of the original 1985 television series created by Christy Marx. While it shares the core premise of a pop-music group using holographic technology, it is a separate reimagining rather than a direct narrative continuation of the original show.
What is the premise of the original Jem series?
In the 1985 series Jem, the protagonist Jerrica Benton inherits a holographic computer from her father. She uses this technology to transform herself and her friends into the pop-music group Jem and the Holograms, allowing them to perform and navigate their music careers while keeping their identities secret.
Who created the original Jem television show?
The original Jem television series was created by Christy Marx. It first aired in 1985 and centers on the story of Jerrica Benton using her father's holographic computer to lead the musical group Jem and the Holograms.
Does the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie feature the same technology as the show?
Yes, the 2015 movie Jem and the Holograms incorporates the central plot element from the 1985 series where the characters utilize a holographic computer. This device remains essential to the transformation of the group as they pursue their pop music aspirations.