What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLabyrinth
Jim Henson · Film · 1986
If you loved Labyrinth, start with Labyrinth (Diane Stevens, 1976) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Labyrinth across media.
What hooked you in Labyrinth was the way a mundane reality dissolves into a surreal, high-stakes journey through an impossible, rule-bending landscape.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
Through the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll · Book · 1990
Explores: Logic vs. Nonsense, Identity, Growing Up.
Like the shifting maze in Labyrinth, this story plunges its protagonist into a nonsensical world where logic is a fluid concept and every encounter serves as a test of identity.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
This classic mirrors the Hero's Journey found in Labyrinth, following a reluctant individual thrust into a perilous, magical quest that forces them to discover their own hidden reserves of courage.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Orphanhood, Friendship.
Much like Sarah’s discovery of her own agency in Labyrinth, this tale focuses on a young person navigating an extraordinary, hidden world while proving their worth against great magical odds.
The Maze Runner (Book 1)
James Dashner · Book · 2014
Explores: Survival, Memory Loss, Conspiracy.
If the physical architecture of the maze in Labyrinth captivated you, this story offers a similar high-tension experience where trapped characters must solve a lethal puzzle to survive.
Series on the same thread
The Storyteller
Jim Henson · Series · 1988
Explores: Folklore, Moral lessons, Storytelling.
This anthology series shares the same folkloric DNA as Labyrinth, utilizing Jim Henson’s masterful storytelling to bring moral lessons and ancient, magical legends to life in vivid detail.
Fraggle Rock
Jim Henson · Series · 1983
Explores: Interconnectedness, Environmentalism, Cultural Exchange.
The creature designs and whimsical world-building will feel immediately familiar to fans of Labyrinth, as this series explores the interconnected lives of inhabitants within a rich, subterranean fantasy land.
Muppet Babies
Jim Henson · Series · 1984
Explores: Imagination, Friendship, Early Childhood.
This show captures the same spirit of imaginative play seen in Labyrinth, where the boundaries between a nursery and vast, adventurous worlds become porous through the power of creative thought.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This actual play experience mirrors the chaotic, group-driven adventures found in Labyrinth, blending high fantasy elements with a sharp sense of humor and unpredictable, improvised storytelling across strange lands.
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These cinematic audio stories tap into the same sense of wonder and curiosity as Labyrinth, transporting you into unique, fully realized worlds that prioritize atmospheric storytelling and unexpected, imaginative journeys.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Labyrinth based on a book?
Yes, there is a book titled Labyrinth published in 1976. While the 1986 film directed by Jim Henson features a teenager named Sarah navigating a maze to rescue her brother from the Goblin King, the book serves as a source material for the story.
What is the plot of the 1986 film Labyrinth?
In the film Labyrinth, a teenager named Sarah becomes frustrated with babysitting and wishes for her baby brother to be taken away. When the Goblin King grants her wish, she must enter a twisted maze filled with outrageous characters to rescue him from his castle.
Should I read the 1976 book Labyrinth before watching the movie?
You can choose to read the 1976 book Labyrinth before or after watching the 1986 film. Both versions center on the story of Sarah and her journey into a fantastical world to save her kidnapped baby brother from the challenges of the Goblin King.
Who directed the 1986 movie Labyrinth?
The 1986 movie Labyrinth was directed by Jim Henson. The story follows a teenager named Sarah who must navigate a complex maze to rescue her baby brother after she accidentally summons the Goblins to take him away to the Goblin King.