What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJem and the Holograms
Jon M. Chu · Film · 2015
If you loved Jem and the Holograms, start with Jem (Christy Marx, 1985) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Jem and the Holograms across media.
What hooked you in Jem and the Holograms was the way the pursuit of musical stardom tests the bonds of sisterhood.
Start with the source
The source
Jem
Christy Marx · Series · 1985
Books on the same thread
Valley of the Dolls
Jacqueline Susann · Book · 1966
Explores: Fame and Addiction, Female Friendship, Hollywood.
Just as Jem and the Holograms explores the pressures of sudden fame, this book provides a darker, raw look at the toll that industry success takes on female friendships.
The Colonies: Architetti
Jamie Taylor, Jeanette Morris · Book · 2018
Explores: Home Improvement, Returning Home, Family Care.
If you enjoyed the conflict between public persona and personal freedom in Jem and the Holograms, you will connect with this star's struggle to reclaim her private life.
Reminders of Him
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
Explores: Mother-daughter reconciliation, Social stigma, Forgiveness.
This story mirrors the emotional stakes of finding one's voice seen in Jem and the Holograms, focusing on the difficult journey of rebuilding identity after a public downfall.
Daisy Jones and The Six
Taylor Jenkins Reid · Book · 2019
Explores: Band dynamics, Creative collaboration, Fame and its consequences.
If the band dynamics in Jem and the Holograms resonated with you, this novel offers a deeper, more complex dive into the creative collaboration and consequences of global stardom.
Series on the same thread
Jem
Christy Marx · Series · 1985
Explores: Secret Identity, Music Industry, Transformation.
This original series is the essential foundation for Jem and the Holograms, capturing the same spirit of female empowerment and musical transformation that defines the later film.
Podcasts on the same thread
Kalogeras Sisters
Podcast · 2025
Explores: sibling relationships, family entertainment, pranks.
The high-energy sibling bond found in Jem and the Holograms is echoed here, as this trio uses their platform to share creative adventures and genuine family connection.
Jem's Coffee Shop
Podcast
Explores: personal anecdotes, lifestyle, casual conversation.
For those who appreciated the intimate, personal growth arc in Jem and the Holograms, this podcast offers a similar space for candid self-reflection and connection with an audience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Jem and the Holograms based on a previous series?
Yes, Jem and the Holograms is an adaptation of the original 1985 television series titled Jem. Both versions follow the journey of a girl who rises from small-town obscurity to become a global superstar alongside her sisters while navigating their musical talents and destiny.
What is the premise of the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie?
The 2015 film Jem and the Holograms follows a small-town girl who transitions from an underground video sensation to a global star. Alongside her three sisters, she embarks on a journey to share her hidden musical talents and discovers that finding her own voice is essential to creating her destiny.
Should I watch the 1985 Jem series or the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie first?
You can choose either starting point as both versions explore the core narrative of sisters finding their voices as musicians. The 1985 Jem series serves as the source material, while the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie provides a modern interpretation of their rise to global stardom.
Does the 2015 Jem and the Holograms movie feature the same characters as the 1985 series?
Both the 1985 television series and the 2015 movie titled Jem and the Holograms focus on a group of four aspiring musicians. The narrative in both adaptations centers on these sisters as they take the world by storm and learn to express their unique talents.