What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedJupiter Ascending
Lilly Wachowski · Film · 2015
If you loved Jupiter Ascending, start with Sense8 (Lana Wachowski, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Jupiter Ascending across media.
If you loved Jupiter Ascending, you were likely drawn to the visceral intersection of grand cosmic power and the personal journey of an unlikely chosen one.
Books on the same thread
Ready Player One: A Novel
Ernest Cline · Book · 2017
Shares a thread with Jupiter Ascending: Cyberpunk.
Just as Jupiter Ascending places an ordinary woman at the center of a vast, high-stakes universe, this story follows a commoner navigating a complex, dystopian landscape to claim their destiny.
Chapterhouse, Dune
Frank Herbert · Book · 1985
Shares 3 threads with Jupiter Ascending: Genetic Engineering, Space Opera, Planetary Romance.
Fans of the intricate genetic and dynastic maneuvering in Jupiter Ascending will appreciate these deep explorations of religious orders and long-term evolutionary consequences within a sprawling, high-stakes space empire.
Children of Dune
Frank Herbert · Book · 1987
Shares 3 threads with Jupiter Ascending: Genetic Engineering, Space Opera, Planetary Romance.
The messianic themes and political intrigue found in Jupiter Ascending are mirrored here as the descendants of a legendary figure navigate the heavy burden of prophecy and evolutionary transformation.
Divergent trilogy
Veronica Roth · Book · 2011
Explores: Faction-based society, Coming of Age, Identity Crisis.
Like the protagonist of Jupiter Ascending, the characters here discover their entire reality is a fabrication, forcing them into a dangerous rebellion against a rigid, class-based societal structure.
Series on the same thread
Sense8
Lana Wachowski · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Jupiter Ascending: Cyberpunk.
Directed by a creator of Jupiter Ascending, this series elevates the theme of interconnected identities and existential danger, focusing on how disparate individuals are suddenly thrust into a shared, profound destiny.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Joss Whedon · Series · 1997
Shares a thread with Jupiter Ascending: Chosen One.
The core archetype of the chosen one fighting against overwhelming odds in Jupiter Ascending finds a perfect parallel in this story of a young woman discovering her unique, world-altering power.
Firefly
Joss Whedon · Series · 2002
Shares a thread with Jupiter Ascending: Space Opera.
If the space opera setting of Jupiter Ascending captivated you, you will enjoy this gritty, character-driven look at a ragtag crew navigating the moral ambiguities of a vast frontier.
The Expanse
Mark Fergus · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with Jupiter Ascending: Space Opera, Cyberpunk.
The corporate conspiracies and class warfare that define the universe of Jupiter Ascending are expertly expanded upon here, as a missing person case uncovers a massive, system-wide political struggle.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This audio drama captures the same sense of wonder and survival in a harsh, far-flung future that Jupiter Ascending provides, featuring complex artificial intelligences and mysterious, shared destinies among strangers.
Maintenance Phase
Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes · Podcast · 2026
Explores: scientific literacy, consumer protection, critical thinking.
While departing from the space opera setting of Jupiter Ascending, this podcast mirrors the film's cynical look at how powerful institutions manipulate human biology and health for their own gain.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Jupiter Ascending a story about space dynasties?
Yes, Jupiter Ascending focuses on an impoverished Earth woman who becomes central to the strategic maneuvers and internal conflicts occurring within a powerful galactic dynasty that views human genetic material as a precious commodity.
What is the primary conflict in Jupiter Ascending?
The primary conflict in Jupiter Ascending centers on the struggle for control over human genetic material, which is treated as the most valuable commodity in the universe, placing the protagonist at the heart of dangerous political strife.
Is Jupiter Ascending set on Earth?
Jupiter Ascending begins with an impoverished young woman living on Earth, but the plot quickly expands into a wider universe where she becomes the key figure in maneuvers involving a powerful dynasty.
Who created Jupiter Ascending?
Jupiter Ascending is a 2015 film written and directed by Lilly Wachowski. The story depicts a future universe where the protagonist must navigate complex power struggles and genetic politics.