What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedMy Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell · Book · 2019
If you loved My Family and Other Animals, start with The Durrells (Simon Nye, 2016) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 films, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to My Family and Other Animals across media.
You loved My Family and Other Animals because you enjoy observing the chaotic, humorous intersections between eccentric human personalities and the natural world.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Durrells
Simon Nye · Series · 2016
Films on the same thread
My Neighbor Totoro
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 1988
Explores: Childhood wonder, Nature spirituality, Family resilience.
If you adored the sense of childhood wonder found in My Family and Other Animals, you will appreciate how this film frames nature as a magical, comforting sanctuary for siblings.
Madagascar
Eric Darnell · Film · 2005
Explores: Fish Out of Water, Culture Clash, Adaptation.
Much like the menagerie in My Family and Other Animals, this story captures the fish-out-of-water comedy that ensues when civilized characters are suddenly forced to adapt to a wild environment.
Animal House
John Landis · Film · 1978
Explores: Rebellion, Anti-establishment, Underdog Story.
If you were entertained by the rebellious and eccentric personalities in My Family and Other Animals, you will enjoy this film's focus on a group of troublemakers defying authority figures.
Out of Africa
Sydney Pollack · Film · 1985
Explores: Colonialism, Self-Discovery, Forbidden Love.
Fans of the expatriate experience in My Family and Other Animals will connect with this biographical story of a woman finding a transformative new life within a foreign landscape.
Series on the same thread
The Durrells
Simon Nye · Series · 2016
Explores: Family relocation, Culture clash, Coming-of-age.
Since this is the direct screen adaptation of My Family and Other Animals, it perfectly captures the specific family dynamics, financial struggles, and the sun-drenched beauty of Corfu island.
Podcasts on the same thread
THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
ADAM BUXTON · Podcast
Explores: east anglia, family life, dog ownership.
If you appreciated the rambling, humorous tone of My Family and Other Animals, you will find a similar blend of family life and casual observation in these conversational podcast episodes.
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human-wildlife conflict, Apex predators, Biological survival.
Readers who enjoyed the deep curiosity about fauna in My Family and Other Animals will appreciate this expert-led exploration of animal behavior and the reality of human-wildlife encounters.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is My Family and Other Animals based on a true story set in Greece?
Yes, My Family and Other Animals recounts the true experiences of the Durrell family after they moved from England to the Greek island of Corfu in 1935. The narrative follows the family as they relocate to a series of villas while young Gerald studies the local fauna.
How does the TV series The Durrells relate to My Family and Other Animals?
The 2016 television series The Durrells is a direct adaptation of the source material found in My Family and Other Animals. It portrays the same events involving the family's migration to Corfu and their life in the island villas as described in the 2019 book.
What is the primary focus of the narrative in My Family and Other Animals?
The narrative of My Family and Other Animals focuses on the eccentric Durrell family's relocation to Corfu and the perspective of the youngest family member, Gerald. As a budding naturalist, he spends his time in the island paradise observing and studying the local wildlife.
Should I read My Family and Other Animals before watching The Durrells?
Reading My Family and Other Animals first allows you to experience the original account of the family's 1935 journey to Corfu and Gerald's nature studies. Since The Durrells is an adaptation of this book, the text provides the foundational context for the events shown on screen.