What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMalibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid · Book

If you loved Malibu Rising, start with Little Fires Everywhere (Liz Tigelaar, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Malibu Rising across media.

If Malibu Rising hooked you with its blend of family secrets and the high-stakes drama of public lives, these stories will resonate.

Films on the same thread

The Housemaid

Paul Feig · Film · 2025

Shares a thread with Malibu Rising: Secrets and Lies.

Like the explosive secrets revealed in Malibu Rising, this thriller centers on a high-stakes environment where a seemingly perfect household hides dangerous, seductive games beneath a veneer of wealth.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Olivia Newman · Film · 2026

Shares a thread with Malibu Rising: Contemporary Drama.

While Malibu Rising examines the weight of legacy, this story offers a more intimate look at how hidden secrets and unexpected bonds can lead to personal healing and discovery.

Ordinary People

Robert Redford · Film · 1980

Explores: Grief, Guilt, Suicide Attempt.

This portrait of a fracturing family mirrors the deep-seated resentment and complex sibling dynamics of Malibu Rising, focusing on the painful aftermath of tragedy and the struggle for reconciliation.

Babylon

Damien Chazelle · Film · 2022

Explores: excess, decadence, rise and fall.

If the glamorous backdrop of Malibu Rising captivated you, you will appreciate this look at the unbridled excess, ambition, and eventual fall of icons during a pivotal Hollywood era.

Series on the same thread

Little Fires Everywhere

Liz Tigelaar · Series · 2020

Shares a thread with Malibu Rising: Secrets and Lies.

Much like Malibu Rising, this series explores the intersection of privilege and secrets, showing how the arrival of enigmatic outsiders can dismantle the carefully curated lives of a family.

Patrick Melrose

David Nicholls · Series · 2018

Explores: Trauma, Addiction, Upper-class dysfunction.

This series shares the focus on intergenerational trauma found in Malibu Rising, providing a raw, unflinching look at the dysfunction hidden behind the reputation of an elite family.

Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair

Linwood Boomer · Series · 2026

Explores: familial obligation, generational trauma, estrangement.

Fans of the complex sibling bonds in Malibu Rising will recognize the tension of being pulled back into a dysfunctional family orbit during a high-pressure milestone celebration.

Big Little Lies

David E. Kelley · Series · 2017

Shares a thread with Malibu Rising: Secrets and Lies.

This narrative mirrors the structure of Malibu Rising by peeling back the layers of seemingly perfect lives to reveal the dark secrets and intense rivalries that lead to catastrophe.

Podcasts on the same thread

Fame Under Fire

BBC Sounds · Podcast

Explores: Celebrity Culture, Misinformation, Media Ethics.

This podcast explores the same fascination with celebrity culture and public image that defines Malibu Rising, investigating how we build up icons only to watch them face scrutiny.

Spotify

Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra

Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2026

Explores: Authoritarianism, Domestic Espionage, Threats to Democracy.

While Malibu Rising focuses on private family secrets, this investigation into political corruption provides a similar deep dive into the dangerous consequences of public figures hiding their true intentions.

Apple PodcastsOvercastPocket Casts