If you loved
Joker
Todd Phillips · Film · 2019
What hooked you in Joker was the unsettling descent of a misunderstood individual into the dark, chaotic fringes of society.
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
Joyland (Hard Case Crime)
Stephen King · Book · 2013
Explores: Carnivals, First Love, Grief.
Much like the protagonist in Joker, Devin Jones navigates a world that feels increasingly isolating, where the innocence of his youth collides with the harsh realities of adult grief and mystery.
The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger · Book · 1951
Explores: Alienation, Loss of Innocence, Teenage Angst.
Holden Caulfield shares the same profound sense of alienation and societal disconnect that defines the lead character in Joker, capturing a raw, unfiltered portrait of an individual struggling with identity.
Misery
Stephen King · Book · 1987
Shares a thread with Joker: Psychological Thriller.
This story mirrors the claustrophobic psychological intensity of Joker, focusing on the volatile power dynamics and mental fragility that emerge when a person is pushed to their absolute breaking point.
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Joker: Psychological Thriller.
The unreliable narrator here creates a psychological tension similar to the perspective in Joker, forcing you to question the reality of events through the lens of a deeply troubled mind.
Series on the same thread
Sherlock
Mark Gatiss · Series · 2010
Shares a thread with Joker: Neo-Noir.
While the tone is different, the portrayal of a high-functioning, unconventional mind operating on the fringes of acceptable society echoes the psychological fascination found at the core of Joker.
Harley Quinn
Patrick Schumacker · Series · 2019
Explores: Female Empowerment, Breaking Free From Abuse, Anti-Hero.
This series offers a deconstruction of the same Gotham City backdrop seen in Joker, exploring how systemic corruption and personal trauma shape those who choose to exist outside the law.
Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
Shares a thread with Joker: Urban Decay.
The neo-noir atmosphere and focus on urban decay in this series provide the same grounded, gritty foundation that allowed the character study of Joker to feel so authentic and visceral.
Better Call Saul
Vince Gilligan · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with Joker: Character Study, Neo-Noir.
Jimmy McGill’s transformation into a morally ambiguous figure provides the same compelling, slow-burn character study seen in Joker, tracking the inevitable shift from a struggling outsider to a criminal force.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
The intellectual exploration of individual responsibility and existential angst serves as a companion piece to the themes of societal collapse and personal decline that define the narrative of Joker.
Criminal
Vox Media Podcast Network · Podcast · 2026
Explores: moral ambiguity, social justice, human behavior.
These stories of people caught in the middle of moral ambiguity mirror the fascination with human behavior and systemic failure that made the descent into madness in Joker so compelling.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Joker related to the 2022 movie The Batman?
Joker and The Batman are separate projects. Joker focuses on the origin of the criminal mastermind as a failed comedian, while The Batman is a distinct film released in 2022. They do not share the same narrative continuity or production timeline.
Should I watch Taxi Driver if I liked Joker?
If you enjoyed the descent into madness depicted in Joker, the 1976 film Taxi Driver is a relevant watch. Both movies explore the psychological breakdown of their protagonists in a gritty urban environment, serving as a thematic touchstone for the tone established in Joker.
Are there other versions of Taxi Driver to watch after Joker?
Beyond the 1976 film, there is a 2021 television series titled Taxi Driver. While Joker focuses on the origin of a criminal mastermind, these adaptations provide different explorations of the title subject. You can choose either the film or the series to explore the source material further.
How does Joker connect to the criminal mastermind in other films?
Joker serves as a standalone origin story for the criminal mastermind. While other films like The Batman feature characters from the same universe, Joker is specifically dedicated to the transformation of a failed comedian into the iconic figure known as the Joker.