What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMiddlegame
Seanan McGuire · Book · 2019
If you loved Middlegame, start with The Magicians (Sera Gamble, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Middlegame across media.
You loved Middlegame for how it intertwines metaphysical obsession, the burden of extraordinary gifts, and the consequences of fractured identities.
Films on the same thread
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
Like the twins in Middlegame, Mitsuha and Taki share an inexplicable bond across distance, exploring how fate and memory define our connections to the people who complete us.
M3GAN 2.0
Gerard Johnstone · Film · 2025
Explores: AI gone rogue, Corporate Espionage, Defense contractor conspiracy.
Middlegame fans will recognize the cold, analytical danger of powerful organizations manipulating technology, mirroring the way corporate greed and scientific hubris spiral out of control in this sequel.
Midsommar
Ari Aster · Film · 2019
Explores: Grief, Trauma, Toxic Relationships.
Both Middlegame and this folk horror descent examine the heavy price of ancient rituals and the psychological trauma inflicted upon those caught in the machinations of a hidden cult.
The Life of Chuck
Mike Flanagan · Film · 2025
Explores: Interconnectedness, The Meaning of Life, Mortality.
This story echoes the existential wonder found in Middlegame, focusing on the way a single life can contain multitudes and the profound impact of our shared, interconnected human experiences.
Series on the same thread
Arcane
Christian Linke · Series · 2021
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
The complex relationship between sisters in this animation mirrors the central sibling dynamic of Middlegame, set against a backdrop of moral ambiguity and the high cost of magical technology.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Series · 2009
Shares 2 threads with Middlegame: Alchemy, Dark Fantasy.
If the alchemical systems of Middlegame intrigued you, this series offers a definitive exploration of equivalent exchange, brotherhood, and the devastating moral consequences of pursuing forbidden, world-altering knowledge.
The Magicians
Sera Gamble · Series · 2015
Shares 3 threads with Middlegame: Coming of Age, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy.
Fans of Middlegame will appreciate how this series deconstructs the fantasy genre, grounding its dark, coming-of-age narrative in the academic study of magic and the weight of immense power.
Fullmetal Alchemist
Series · 2003
Shares 2 threads with Middlegame: alchemy, Dark Fantasy.
This iteration of the alchemist brothers' journey captures the same desperate search for truth seen in Middlegame, emphasizing the heavy price paid when humanity attempts to manipulate natural laws.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
While non-fiction, this analysis of institutional change and systemic disruption mirrors the analytical curiosity Middlegame readers have for the shadowy organizations that silently shape the world around us.
The Left Right Game
QCODE · Podcast · 2020
The unsettling journey into a hidden, supernatural reality in this podcast captures the same sense of discovery and dread found when uncovering the secret layers within Middlegame.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Middlegame part of a larger series?
Middlegame is a standalone fantasy novel written by Seanan McGuire. It was published in 2019 and does not have any direct sequels or related works in the author's catalog, meaning it functions as a complete, self-contained story for readers.
Has Middlegame received any literary awards?
Yes, Middlegame is a Hugo Award finalist and the winner of the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. It was also selected for the 2020 RUSA Reading List and was written by a New York Times bestselling and Hugo-Award-winning author.
What is the premise of Middlegame?
Middlegame follows a character named Roger who is skilled with words and languages. The story explores a world of amoral alchemy, shadowy organizations, and impossible cities, focusing on the unique journey of its protagonist within this complex and imaginative fantasy setting.
Who is the author of Middlegame?
Middlegame was written by Seanan McGuire. She is a New York Times bestselling author who has also received several prestigious honors, including the Alex, Nebula, and Hugo Awards for her contributions to the fantasy genre.