What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMad Men
Matthew Weiner · Series · 2007
If you loved Mad Men, start with Manhattan (Woody Allen, 1979) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mad Men across media.
If you loved Mad Men, you are likely drawn to the complex moral compromises and identity crises hidden behind polished professional facades.
Books on the same thread
Perry Mason
Erle Stanley Gardner · Book · 1933
Shares a thread with Mad Men: Moral Ambiguity.
Much like the legal maneuvering seen in Mad Men, this narrative balances the pursuit of justice with the deep moral ambiguity inherent in navigating a rigid, deceptive social system.
The Glass Menagerie
Tennessee Williams · Book · 1999
Explores: dysfunctional family, escapism, memory.
Fans of Mad Men will recognize the suffocating weight of social expectations and the painful tension between fragile illusions and the harsh reality of one's own identity.
Watchmen
Alan Moore · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with Mad Men: Moral Ambiguity.
Just as Mad Men deconstructs the American Dream, this work explores the darker side of societal progress and the existential dread that lingers beneath a seemingly orderly surface.
The Road
Cormac McCarthy · Book · 2007
Shares a thread with Mad Men: Moral ambiguity.
Those fascinated by the existential isolation of Don Draper will find a stark, distilled version of that same moral ambiguity and survivalist grit in this ravaged, post-apocalyptic landscape.
Films on the same thread
Manhattan
Woody Allen · Film · 1979
Shares a thread with Mad Men: Moral Ambiguity.
This film captures the same neurotic New York intellectualism and moral ambiguity found in Mad Men, focusing on the messy romantic entanglements of a deeply flawed, middle-aged protagonist.
The Devil Wears Prada
Film · 2006
Explores: Workplace dynamics, Ambition, Fashion industry.
Like the office culture of Mad Men, this story highlights the brutal workplace dynamics and personal transformations required to navigate a competitive industry dominated by a larger-than-life figure.
The Apartment
Film · 1960
Shares a thread with Mad Men: Office Politics.
This film mirrors the corporate ambition and moral compromise of Mad Men, exposing the loneliness and office politics that arise when people trade their integrity for career advancement.
Network
Sidney Lumet · Film · 1976
Explores: Media Manipulation, Corporate Greed, Mental Breakdown.
Echoing the media manipulation and corporate greed of Mad Men, this satire examines the loss of identity and mental collapse that occurs when personal values clash with commercial interests.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
If the character studies in Mad Men resonated with you, this investigation of a complex, eccentric man will satisfy your interest in exploring hidden depths and social decay.
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
While the setting shifts, the focus on long-term serialized storytelling and the intricate web of relationships provides a similar depth to the character-driven drama of Mad Men.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mad Men set in a specific time period?
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 of significant cultural and social change.
What is the primary focus of Mad Men?
Mad Men focuses on the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women working in the advertising industry on Madison Avenue. The series presents a stylized and provocative look at their professional and personal experiences.
Who created the television series Mad Men?
The television series Mad Men was created by Matthew Weiner. It first premiered in 2007 and depicts the competitive environment of the advertising world in New York during the 1960s and 1970s.
How would you describe the tone of Mad Men?
Mad Men is a sexy, stylized, and provocative drama. It portrays the high-stakes world of Madison Avenue advertising, following the lives of the men and women who navigated the competitive industry throughout the 1960s and 1970s.