What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLes Misérables
Victor Hugo · Book · 1987
If you loved Les Misérables, start with Les Misérables (2018) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Les Misérables across media.
You crave the epic struggle of a soul fighting against systemic injustice while seeking personal redemption in a world that refuses to forgive.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Les Misérables
Series · 2018
Adaptation
Les Misérables
Ladj Ly · Film · 2019
Films on the same thread
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Shares 2 threads with Les Misérables: redemption, perseverance.
If the resilience of Valjean moved you, this story of a man maintaining his integrity while trapped by an indifferent system mirrors the spirit of Les Misérables perfectly.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Explores: Survival, Reconstruction Era, Lost Cause.
Like Les Misérables, this sweeping historical epic captures the personal lives of individuals caught in the overwhelming tides of war, social upheaval, and the necessity of personal survival.
Schindler's List
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1993
Explores: Survival, Moral Courage, Dehumanization.
Just as Valjean transforms his life through profound moral courage, this film explores the weight of individual choice and redemption against the backdrop of an unforgiving, oppressive historical reality.
Ben-Hur
William Wyler · Film · 1959
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
The relentless pursuit of a man cast into slavery by a vengeful authority figure echoes the central conflict found in Les Misérables, emphasizing faith and ultimate personal redemption.
Series on the same thread
The Fugitive
Roy Huggins · Series · 1963
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
The theme of a man unjustly labeled a criminal by an uncompromising system parallels the plight of Valjean, as both stories focus on the desperate struggle for justice.
Miami Vice
Anthony Yerkovich · Series · 1984
Explores: Undercover operations, Drug trafficking, Partnership.
The moral ambiguity and complex partnerships found here mirror the shifting alliances and ethical dilemmas that define the characters living on the fringes of society in Les Misérables.
Prison Break
Paul T. Scheuring · Series · 2005
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
This narrative mirrors the core of Les Misérables by focusing on the lengths one will go to secure freedom and justice for those unjustly condemned by a corrupt system.
Perry Mason
Erle Stanley Gardner · Series · 1957
Explores: Innocence vs. Guilt, Justice, Moral Ambiguity.
The unwavering dedication to defending the innocent against a rigid legal apparatus captures the same spirit of moral conviction that drives the most noble characters in Les Misérables.
Podcasts on the same thread
Revisionist History
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Explores: historical revisionism, cognitive bias, unconventional perspectives.
If you appreciated the social commentary in Les Misérables, this podcast provides the same critical lens by challenging our understanding of historical figures and the systemic injustices they face.
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
The exploration of institutional change and societal shifts connects directly to the revolutionary themes of Les Misérables, offering a modern perspective on the forces that shape our world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Les Misérables 2018 a direct adaptation of the Victor Hugo book?
The 2018 television series is an adaptation of the 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. It follows the story of the ex-convict Valjean and the police inspector who pursues him, mirroring the narrative arc of the original source material written by Hugo.
Does the 2019 movie Les Misérables cover the full story of Valjean?
The 2019 movie Les Misérables depicts the struggle of Valjean as he rises from a galley slave to a mayor while being pursued by a fanatical police inspector. It focuses on the core conflict established in the original book regarding his pursuit of redemption against all odds.
Should I read the book Les Misérables before watching the adaptations?
Reading the 1862 book Les Misérables provides the original context for the story of Valjean and his conflict with the police inspector. You can choose to read the book first to understand the source material or watch the 2018 or 2019 adaptations to see the story visualized.
Is the police inspector in Les Misérables the main antagonist?
Yes, in the book Les Misérables and its adaptations, the fanatical police inspector serves as the primary antagonist. He dedicates his entire life to recapturing Valjean, creating the central tension that drives the narrative from Valjean's time as a galley slave to his life as a mayor.