If you loved
Joker
Todd Phillips · Film · 2019
If Joker hooked you, it is because you are fascinated by the harrowing, inevitable descent of a broken individual into criminality.
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
Erast Fandorin series
Boris Akunin · Book · 1998
Like Joker, this series explores how a single figure navigates the moral ambiguity of a crumbling society, forcing you to confront the fragile boundary between justice and personal ruin.
Killer Clown
Terry Sullivan, Peter T. Maiken · Book · 2012
If you were captivated by the psychological disintegration of Arthur Fleck, this account of a man leading a double life offers a terrifying, real-world parallel to the Joker origin.
The Tenant
Freida McFadden · Book · 2025
Much like the internal fracturing seen in Joker, this story follows a man whose sudden professional collapse triggers a dangerous spiral into obsession and deception within his own home.
Largo Desolato
Václav Havel · Book · 1987
This play captures the same suffocating feeling of being trapped by systemic oppression as Joker, focusing on a man pushed to the brink by the absurdity of the state.
Series on the same thread
Your Friends & Neighbors
Jonathan Tropper · Series · 2025
This dark comedy mirrors the trajectory of Joker by showing how a sudden loss of status and societal rejection can push an ordinary person toward a life of crime.
Prodigal Son
Chris Fedak · Series · 2019
If you enjoyed the complex nature of the protagonist in Joker, you will appreciate this exploration of how upbringing and hidden darkness shape a man who understands criminal minds.
The Penguin
Lauren LeFranc · Series · 2024
This series shares the grim, neo-noir atmosphere of Joker, focusing on a man maneuvering through a decaying city to seize power after the existing order begins to collapse.
Harley Quinn
Patrick Schumacker · Series · 2019
While Joker depicts a tragic descent, this series explores the aftermath of breaking free from the same toxic influence, offering a chaotic look at reclaiming agency in Gotham.
Podcasts on the same thread
Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.
The Boston Globe | Audible · Podcast · 2024
This investigation mirrors the central tragedy of Joker, detailing how systemic failure and personal isolation can lead a high-profile figure to commit horrific acts of violence and destruction.
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
If the dark humor and tragic irony of Joker resonated with you, this podcast provides a similar look at the bizarre and often sad downfall of individuals who lose everything.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Joker related to the 2022 movie The Batman?
Joker and The Batman are separate projects. The 2019 Joker film directed by Todd Phillips focuses on the origin of the criminal mastermind, while The Batman is a distinct cinematic production released in 2022. They do not share the same continuity or narrative universe.
Should I watch Taxi Driver before Joker?
You do not need to watch the 1976 Taxi Driver movie to understand Joker. While Joker explores a failed comedian descending into madness, it is a standalone story. You can enjoy the 2019 film without prior knowledge of other cinematic works.
Is the 2021 Taxi Driver TV show connected to Joker?
The 2021 Taxi Driver television series is not connected to the 2019 Joker film. Joker is a standalone movie about a failed comedian becoming a criminal mastermind, and it does not share characters or plot lines with the 2021 television production.
What is the premise of the 2019 Joker movie?
The 2019 Joker movie follows a failed comedian who descends into madness. As his mental state declines, he eventually transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker. The film documents his personal journey and the psychological factors leading to his ultimate criminal identity.