
If you loved
Leo
Film · 2023
What hooked you in Leo is the way a cynical outsider finds unexpected purpose by mentoring students through their growing pains.
Books on the same thread
See You Later, Alligator
Sally Hopgood, Emma Levey · Book · 2016
Like the lizard in Leo, this story captures the bittersweet transition of leaving a familiar space and the importance of saying goodbye to those you have grown to love.
Dog Man: Fetch-22: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #8)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
Just as Leo finds a new lease on life through his students, Li'l Petey reevaluates his own path, proving that even the most unlikely characters can embrace personal growth.
The Pout-Pout Fish
Deborah Diesen · Book · 2017
Leo learns that his own perspective shifts when he engages with others, much like the pout-pout fish who discovers that friendship and self-acceptance can transform a grumpy, stuck outlook.
A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Fredrik Backman · Book · 2016
If the grumpy, aging protagonist of Leo resonated with you, you will appreciate Ove, another jaded soul whose life is irrevocably changed by the boisterous energy of his neighbors.
Series on the same thread

Rocko's Modern Life
Joe Murray · Series · 1993
Rocko navigates the absurdity of his environment with the same observational wit found in Leo, using humor to make sense of the daily dilemmas that define his modern life.

Assassination Classroom
Series · 2015
The core dynamic of Leo is mirrored here, where an unconventional teacher forms a deep, transformative bond with a class of misfits while facing a ticking clock of mortality.

The Amazing World of Gumball
Ben Bocquelet · Series · 2011
The chaotic, relatable school life that serves as the backdrop for Leo is expanded upon here, focusing on the everyday shenanigans of growing up and navigating complex family dynamics.

Merlí
Héctor Lozano · Series · 2015
Merlí shares the same blunt, unorthodox mentorship style seen in Leo, pushing students toward self-discovery and helping them navigate the challenges of adolescence with a fresh, philosophical perspective.
Podcasts on the same thread

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Much like Leo seeking genuine connection after years of isolation, this podcast explores the desire for authentic human friendship, stripping away professional artifice to find the person underneath.

Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Fans of the observational humor in Leo will enjoy this candid look at domestic life, where the messiness of relationships and parenthood is treated with the same comedic honesty.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Leo a movie about a lizard?
Yes, Leo is a 2023 movie featuring a 74-year-old lizard who has spent decades living in a Florida classroom. The story follows his attempt to escape his terrarium after learning he only has one year left to live.
Does Leo have a companion in his terrarium?
Yes, Leo shares his terrarium with a turtle. While Leo initially plans to escape his enclosure to experience life on the outside, he eventually becomes involved in the lives and problems of the anxious students in his classroom.
What is the main conflict for Leo in the movie?
The main conflict in Leo involves the titular lizard discovering he has only one year left to live. While he intends to escape his classroom, he gets distracted by the personal problems of his students and the presence of an impossibly mean substitute teacher.
Where does the movie Leo take place?
The movie Leo is set inside a Florida classroom where the main character has been living for decades. The plot focuses on his interactions with his turtle tank-mate, his anxious students, and a substitute teacher during his final year.