What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJoker
Todd Phillips · Film · 2019
If you loved Joker, start with Taxi Driver (1976) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Joker across media.
What hooked you in Joker was the intimate, harrowing study of a man fracturing under the weight of societal indifference.
Start with the source
The source
Taxi Driver
Film · 1976
Adaptation
Taxi Driver
Lee Ok-gyu · Series · 2021
Inspired by
The Batman
Matt Reeves · Film · 2022
Books on the same thread
Batman
Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Bob Kane · Book · 2011
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Organized Crime, Vigilante Justice.
If Joker captured your interest through its grim exploration of Gotham’s decay, this comic provides a similarly dark, atmospheric look at the corruption and moral ambiguity defining that city.
The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger · Book · 1951
Explores: Alienation, Loss of Innocence, Teenage Angst.
Just as Joker focuses on a man alienated from his peers, this classic captures the raw, internal experience of isolation and the profound confusion of a social outsider.
Psycho
Robert Bloch · Book · 1959
Shares a thread with Joker: Mental Illness.
This novel mirrors the psychological deterioration found in Joker, centering on a man whose obsession and fractured identity lead him toward a path of inevitable, chilling violence.
Absolute Batman, Vol. 2: Abomination
Scott Snyder · Book
Explores: psychological warfare, corrupt institutions, dark justice.
Fans of Joker who appreciated the focus on systemic corruption will find a kindred spirit in this grim, gritty look at a vigilante battling institutionalized rot in Gotham.
Series on the same thread
Sherlock
Mark Gatiss · Series · 2010
Shares a thread with Joker: Neo-Noir.
While Joker examines a descent into chaos, this series offers a different perspective on the outlier, focusing on a brilliant, socially detached mind navigating a complex urban landscape.
Harley Quinn
Patrick Schumacker · Series · 2019
Explores: Female Empowerment, Breaking Free From Abuse, Anti-Hero.
This show explores the life of a character moving beyond the shadow of the Joker, providing a look at the consequences of abuse and the search for personal agency.
Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
Shares a thread with Joker: Urban Decay.
If the urban decay of Joker resonated with you, this series offers a deeper look at the psychological toll of protecting a city defined by its moral ambiguity.
Better Call Saul
Vince Gilligan · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with Joker: Character Study, Neo-Noir.
Like Joker, this character study masterfully tracks the slow, deliberate transformation of an underdog into something else, grounded in the harsh realities of his environment and personal choices.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
This podcast delves into the existential themes and psychological pressures that Joker explores, offering an intellectual framework for understanding the individual struggle against an indifferent, complex social world.
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
This series examines the lives of those caught in the margins of society, mirroring the fascination with human behavior and moral complexity that anchors the narrative of Joker.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Joker related to the 2022 movie The Batman?
Joker, released in 2019 and directed by Todd Phillips, is a standalone film. It is not connected to the continuity or character portrayals found in The Batman, which was released in 2022.
Should I watch Taxi Driver if I enjoyed Joker?
Yes, fans of the 2019 Joker movie often appreciate the 1976 film Taxi Driver. Both movies explore the psychological descent of a troubled individual into madness, serving as a thematic touchstone for the character study presented in Joker.
What is the connection between the 2021 TV series Taxi Driver and Joker?
There is no narrative or production connection between the 2021 TV series Taxi Driver and the 2019 film Joker. While they share a title with the 1976 movie, the TV series is a separate project from the Joker cinematic universe.
Is Joker the origin story of the criminal mastermind?
Yes, Joker depicts the transformation of a failed comedian into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker. The film focuses on his descent into madness as the primary catalyst for his eventual identity as a notorious figure.