What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMonsters
Gareth Edwards · Film · 2010
If you loved Monsters, start with Invasion (Thomas Schlamme, 2005) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Monsters across media.
What hooked you in Monsters was the way the vast, terrifying scope of an alien invasion highlights intimate human survival.
Books on the same thread
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Shares a thread with Monsters: Alien Invasion.
Much like the military backdrop of Monsters, this story examines the heavy moral weight and personal sacrifice required when humanity faces a desperate struggle against an alien threat.
The First Men in the Moon [eBook - NC Digital Library]
Herbert George Wells · Book · 2010
Explores: Extraterrestrial civilization, Technological innovation, Social hierarchy.
If the discovery of extraterrestrial life fascinated you in Monsters, this classic explores the initial wonder and subsequent existential danger of encountering a thriving, alien civilization on another world.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Monsters uses the presence of creatures to frame a journey of personal growth, and this story similarly uses the wild and unknown to navigate the complex landscape of emotions.
The Martian
Andy Weir · Book · 2015
Explores: Resourcefulness, Human Ingenuity, Isolation.
Fans of the resourceful survival depicted in Monsters will appreciate this narrative, which focuses on human ingenuity and scientific problem-solving when faced with the harsh reality of complete isolation.
Series on the same thread
Invasion
Thomas Schlamme · Series · 2005
Shares 2 threads with Monsters: Alien Invasion, Creature Feature.
The atmosphere of paranoia and government secrecy found in Monsters is mirrored here, as ordinary people navigate a world where strange occurrences and alien threats disrupt everyday life.
FROM
John Griffin · Series · 2022
Explores: Trapped in a mysterious town, Monsters in the woods, Survival horror.
Similar to the quarantined zone in Monsters, this story centers on the tension of being trapped within a dangerous, monster-filled environment while fighting to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Podcasts on the same thread
Alien Encounters
Science Channel · Podcast
Explores: first contact scenarios, existential risk, cosmic perspective.
If you enjoyed the speculative realism of Monsters, these expert-led scenarios explore the genuine existential risks and scientific questions surrounding the possibility of first contact with extraterrestrial life.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
Explores: survivalism, artificial consciousness, existential dread.
This audio drama captures the same sense of dread and interconnected human struggle found in Monsters, emphasizing the difficulty of survival when cast away on a hostile, alien world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Monsters based on a real event?
No, Monsters is a fictional film. Its premise involves a NASA probe crashing over Central America six years prior to the story, which led to the emergence of alien life forms and the subsequent quarantine of half of Mexico by the military.
What is the setting of Monsters?
The setting of Monsters is Central America, specifically an infected zone where half of Mexico has been quarantined. The story takes place six years after a NASA probe crashed, resulting in the appearance of alien life forms that the military is struggling to contain.
How long has the quarantine been in effect in Monsters?
In Monsters, the quarantine of half of Mexico has been in effect for six years. This follows the crash of a NASA probe that was sent to collect samples of alien life discovered within our solar system, leading to the emergence of the creatures.
What are the creatures in Monsters?
The creatures in Monsters are alien life forms that appeared in Central America after a NASA probe crashed upon re-entry. They are the primary focus of the military struggle to contain the infected zone, which covers half of Mexico during the events of the film.