If you loved
Mad Men
Matthew Weiner · Series · 2007
You were drawn to Mad Men for the way it exposes the hollow, often ruthless pursuit of the American Dream.
Books on the same thread
Underworld
Don DeLillo · Book · 2007
Like Mad Men, this novel captures the existential weight of 20th-century American history, using deep, atmospheric prose to explore the paranoia and social shifts lurking beneath the surface of progress.
The Happy Hooker: My Own Story
Xaviera Hollander, Robin Moore, Yvonne Dunleavy · Book · 1971
If the sexual liberation and changing social norms of Mad Men fascinated you, this candid memoir offers a real-world look at the era's shifting morality and the business of desire.
Maximilian and Carlota
M. M. McAllen · Book · 2014
This historical account mirrors the political intrigue and crumbling power dynamics found in Mad Men, showcasing the inevitable tragedy that follows those who build their identity upon a failing empire.
Humans of New York
Brandon Stanton · Book · 2013
Mad Men succeeds through its focus on complex urban identity, and this collection provides a similar, intimate lens on the diverse, resilient, and often hidden lives inhabiting the streets of New York.
Films on the same thread
The Normal Heart
Ryan Murphy · Film · 2014
This film captures the same unflinching look at social stigma and political activism that defined the later years of Mad Men, documenting how crises force characters to confront their personal morals.
The Brutalist
Brady Corbet · Film · 2024
Much like the professional obsession seen in Mad Men, this film examines the tension between artistic vision and the soul-crushing requirements of corporate patronage in the post-war American landscape.
Boogie Nights
Paul Thomas Anderson · Film · 1997
This film echoes the dark side of ambition and the loss of innocence explored in Mad Men, tracking how the pursuit of success in a booming industry corrupts the chosen family.
The Prestige
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2006
The intense rivalry and obsession that drove the characters of Mad Men find a perfect, stylized parallel in this period drama, where deception becomes the ultimate tool for achieving professional dominance.
Podcasts on the same thread
Business Wars
Audible · Podcast · 2026
If the corporate espionage and high-stakes maneuvering of Mad Men kept you engaged, this podcast reveals the real-world strategy and aggressive competition that shape our modern consumer culture.
Pivot
New York Magazine · Podcast · 2026
This show channels the sharp corporate accountability and power dynamics of Mad Men, offering a modern, unfiltered analysis of the personalities and market forces that dictate our current social reality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What time period does Mad Men cover?
Mad Men is set in New York between 1960 and 1970. The drama explores the lives of advertising professionals working on Madison Avenue during this decade, focusing on the competitive nature of the industry and the personal lives of the men and women involved.
What is the premise of Mad Men?
Mad Men is a stylized and provocative drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women working in the advertising industry on Madison Avenue in New York. The series depicts the professional and personal challenges faced by these individuals throughout the 1960s.
Is Mad Men a drama series?
Yes, Mad Men is a drama series created by Matthew Weiner. It is known for being a sexy, stylized, and provocative depiction of the advertising world in New York City, tracking the competitive environment of Madison Avenue advertising agencies during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Where does Mad Men take place?
Mad Men takes place in New York City. The narrative centers on the advertising industry located on Madison Avenue, where the show follows the competitive lives of the men and women working there from 1960 through 1970.