What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJohnny English Strikes Again
David Kerr · Film · 2018
If you loved Johnny English Strikes Again, start with Slow Horses (2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Johnny English Strikes Again across media.
If you enjoyed the bumbling incompetence and chaotic mishaps of Johnny English Strikes Again, you will love these spy-themed adventures.
Books on the same thread
Spy School
Stuart Gibbs · Book
Explores: imposter syndrome, mentorship, coming of age.
Like Johnny English Strikes Again, this book centers on an unlikely individual thrust into high-stakes espionage, finding humor and growth through the protagonist's lack of traditional spy experience.
The Secret Pilgrim
John Le Carré · Book · 1991
Explores: Espionage, Betrayal, Moral Ambiguity.
While more serious than Johnny English Strikes Again, this narrative explores the career of a British intelligence veteran, focusing on the historical legacy of the field Johnny occupies.
Five on Kirrin Island Again
Enid Blyton · Book · 1947
Explores: Friendship, Courage, Problem Solving.
This classic story mirrors the amateur detective spirit found in Johnny English Strikes Again, as young characters stumble upon espionage plots while solving mysteries in their own way.
The Night Manager
John Le Carré · Book · 1993
Explores: Undercover Operations, International Intrigue, Arms Dealing.
This thriller provides a grounded look at undercover operations, offering a stark contrast to the slapstick antics of Johnny English Strikes Again while keeping the British intelligence focus.
Series on the same thread
Slow Horses
Series · 2022
Explores: Underdog Story, Bureaucratic Incompetence, Redemption.
You will recognize the theme of bureaucratic incompetence in this series, which follows a team of misfits even more dysfunctional than the protagonist of Johnny English Strikes Again.
Mr. Bean
Richard Curtis · Series · 1990
Shares a thread with Johnny English Strikes Again: Incompetence.
The physical comedy and social blunders that define the lead in Johnny English Strikes Again originated with this character, who turns every mundane task into a chaotic disaster.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Johnny English Strikes Again: Parody.
This show shares the satirical tone of Johnny English Strikes Again, exploring the absurdity of secret identities and the fish-out-of-water experiences that occur when spies try to blend.
Archer
Adam Reed · Series · 2009
Shares 2 threads with Johnny English Strikes Again: Incompetence, Spy Comedy.
Like Johnny English Strikes Again, this adult animation highlights the humor in workplace dysfunction and the sheer incompetence of a lead agent surrounded by a colorful support staff.
Podcasts on the same thread
To Live And Die In New Orleans
Voyage Media · Podcast
Shares a thread with Johnny English Strikes Again: spy comedy.
This podcast captures the accidental espionage element of Johnny English Strikes Again, placing an ordinary person into a perilous situation where their lack of training becomes the humor.
Grumpy Old Geeks
Jason DeFillippo & Brian Schulmeister with Dave Bittner · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cynicism, digital culture, corporate skepticism.
If the technological ineptitude in Johnny English Strikes Again amused you, this podcast provides a cynical and satirical look at the digital culture disasters that agents often struggle against.
Common questions
Is Johnny English Strikes Again a movie about a retired agent?
Yes, Johnny English Strikes Again features a protagonist who has retired from active service to work as a teacher at a minor prep school. He is called back into action when a criminal mastermind exposes the identities of all other undercover agents in Britain.
What is the primary mission in Johnny English Strikes Again?
The primary mission in Johnny English Strikes Again involves the protagonist attempting to track down a mysterious hacker who has compromised the secret service by revealing the identities of all active undercover agents in Britain. He must rely on his limited skills to succeed.
Who directed Johnny English Strikes Again?
Johnny English Strikes Again was directed by David Kerr. The 2018 film follows the story of an unlikely agent tasked with finding a hacker after a security breach leaves the British secret service without any other available undercover operatives to handle the crisis.
Why is the protagonist the only option in Johnny English Strikes Again?
In Johnny English Strikes Again, the protagonist becomes the secret service's only option because a criminal mastermind has successfully revealed the identities of every other active undercover agent in Britain. This leaves the organization with no choice but to rely on the former agent.