What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMission to Mars
Film · 2000
If you loved Mission to Mars, start with The Martian (Andy Weir, 2015) — a book on the same thread. Below: 3 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Mission to Mars across media.
What hooked you in Mission to Mars was the way the vast, unforgiving vacuum of space forces humanity to confront its origin.
Books on the same thread
The Martian
Andy Weir · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with Mission to Mars: Hard Science Fiction.
If you valued the intense focus on survival against the elements in Mission to Mars, this book offers a masterclass in human ingenuity and scientific problem-solving on the red planet.
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir · Book · 2021
Shares 2 threads with Mission to Mars: Hard Science Fiction, Space Exploration.
The sense of wonder regarding extraterrestrial intelligence found in Mission to Mars continues here, as a lone astronaut navigates xenobiology and the desperate struggle for planetary survival in deep space.
From the Earth to the Moon
Jules Verne · Book · 1967
Explores: Space Travel, Technological Advancement, Human Ambition.
This classic captures the same spirit of human ambition and scientific exploration that drove the characters of Mission to Mars to seek out the unknown reaches of the cosmos.
Series on the same thread
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Joel Hodgson · Series · 1989
Explores: Friendship, Coping with Boredom, Satire.
While Mission to Mars treats space travel with grave seriousness, this series provides a cathartic release by poking fun at the tropes and B-movie aesthetics found in similar space narratives.
From the Earth to the Moon
Tom Hanks · Series · 1998
Shares a thread with Mission to Mars: Space Exploration.
For those captivated by the technical challenges of space exploration in Mission to Mars, this docudrama provides a grounded look at the real history of the American space race.
Star Trek
Gene Roddenberry · Series · 1966
Shares a thread with Mission to Mars: Hard Science Fiction.
The core theme of first contact that anchors Mission to Mars is expanded upon here, as the Enterprise crew encounters moral dilemmas and new life across the vast galaxy.
The Expanse
Mark Fergus · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Mission to Mars: Hard Science Fiction.
If the conspiracy surrounding unidentified structures in Mission to Mars intrigued you, this series offers a much deeper, more complex look at interplanetary conflict and secrets hidden in space.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This audio drama mirrors the survival-focused narrative of Mission to Mars, placing characters on a hostile world where they must confront loss and the complexities of artificial intelligence.
Revolutions
Mike Duncan · Podcast · 2025
Explores: societal collapse, power dynamics, cyclical history.
The Martian setting of Mission to Mars provides the backdrop for this historical account, which explores the patterns of societal collapse that occur when humanity expands into new frontiers.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Mission to Mars a story about the first manned expedition to the planet?
Yes, Mission to Mars follows the first manned mission to the planet. The plot centers on a catastrophic disaster that occurs after the crew reports an unidentified structure, leading to a rescue mission to investigate the tragedy and search for any survivors.
What triggers the rescue mission in Mission to Mars?
The rescue mission in Mission to Mars is launched after the first manned mission to the planet encounters a catastrophic and mysterious disaster. This occurs specifically after the crew reports the discovery of an unidentified structure, prompting the subsequent investigation and search for survivors.
Does Mission to Mars focus on a rescue operation?
Yes, a significant portion of Mission to Mars focuses on a rescue mission. This mission is launched to investigate the mysterious disaster that befell the first crew to reach the planet and to attempt to bring back any survivors from the site.
What is the primary mystery in Mission to Mars?
The primary mystery in Mission to Mars revolves around an unidentified structure discovered by the first manned mission. The crew encounters a catastrophic disaster shortly after reporting this structure, which serves as the catalyst for the rescue mission that defines the rest of the film.