What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedLes Misérables
Series · 2018
If you loved Les Misérables, start with Les Misérables (Victor Hugo, 1987) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Les Misérables across media.
If Les Misérables captivated you, it is because you are drawn to stories where individual morality battles against systemic injustice.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Les Misérables
Ladj Ly · Film · 2019
Books on the same thread
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens · Book · 1859
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Social Injustice.
Like Les Misérables, this classic explores the intersection of personal sacrifice and historical upheaval, focusing on how individuals maintain their humanity while caught in the gears of revolution.
Crime and Punishment
Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevskii · Book · 1968
Shares 3 threads with Les Misérables: Moral Dilemma, Social Injustice, Redemption.
Much like Jean Valjean’s internal struggle, this narrative examines the psychological weight of guilt and the complex, often agonizing path toward true moral redemption in an unforgiving world.
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens · Book · 2018
Shares 2 threads with Les Misérables: Redemption, Social Injustice.
If the transformative power of grace in Les Misérables moved you, you will appreciate this tale of a hardened soul finding redemption through a profound change of heart.
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
Charles Dickens · Book · 1982
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
This story mirrors the social advocacy found in Les Misérables by highlighting the struggle of the downtrodden against institutional exploitation and the cold, unyielding nature of the powerful.
Films on the same thread
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Shares 2 threads with Les Misérables: redemption, perseverance.
The relentless pursuit of justice and the endurance of the human spirit seen in Les Misérables resonate deeply in this story of a man fighting institutional corruption from prison.
Just Mercy
Destin Daniel Cretton · Film · 2019
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
This film echoes the core themes of Les Misérables by showcasing a dedicated lawyer fighting against the systemic failures that keep the innocent trapped within a broken legal structure.
Lady Vengeance
Park Chan-wook · Film · 2005
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Redemption.
While darker in tone, this film explores the same moral ambiguity and obsession with justice that defined Javert’s pursuit of Valjean, centering on the consequences of institutional betrayal.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Barry Jenkins · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with Les Misérables: Period Drama.
This story captures the same emotional intensity as Les Misérables, focusing on the heavy burden of wrongful imprisonment and the personal cost of fighting for those you love.
Podcasts on the same thread
You're Wrong About
Podcast
Explores: Misconceptions, Public Perception, Historical Analysis.
Just as Les Misérables provides social commentary on the past, this podcast challenges your understanding of history by deconstructing the narratives that have miscast important events and people.
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
If you enjoy the serialized, character-driven depth of Les Misérables, you will find a similar richness in this long-form drama that tracks the evolving lives of an interconnected community.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2018 Les Misérables TV series based on the same source material as the 1987 book?
Yes, both the 2018 television adaptation and the 1987 book are based on the original novel by Victor Hugo. While the formats differ, they both follow the story of Jean Valjean and his pursuit by Inspector Javert across nineteenth-century France.
Does the 2018 Les Misérables TV series cover the same events as the 2019 movie?
Both the 2018 television series and the 2019 movie are adaptations of the same classic story. They follow the journey of Jean Valjean from his release from prison in 1815 through his life of good deeds and the revolution in Paris in 1832.
What is the chronological setting of the 2018 Les Misérables TV series?
The 2018 Les Misérables television series begins in France in 1815 when Jean Valjean is released from prison. The narrative spans many years, eventually reaching the 1832 revolution in the streets of Paris where the conflict between Valjean and Inspector Javert culminates.
Should I read the 1987 book before watching the 2018 Les Misérables TV series?
You do not need to read the 1987 book before watching the 2018 Les Misérables series. Both versions tell the complete story of Jean Valjean, his reform, and his ongoing pursuit by Inspector Javert, making either an appropriate starting point for the narrative.