If you loved
New Amsterdam
David Schulner · Series · 2018
You loved New Amsterdam because it highlights the struggle of compassionate individuals fighting to reform broken systems from within.
Books on the same thread
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Atul Gawande · Book · 2015
Explores: Mortality, Aging, Dying.
Just as New Amsterdam explores the ethics of hospital care, this book examines the limitations of medicine, focusing on quality of life and the human side of dying.
The Good Neighbor
Maxwell King · Book · 2018
Explores: Compassionate leadership, Childhood development, Television history.
If you admired the altruistic, patient-first approach of the lead in New Amsterdam, you will find a similar spirit of compassionate leadership and humanism in Fred Rogers' story.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood · Book · 2017
Explores: Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism, Gender Inequality.
This story offers a darker look at the systems that govern our lives, providing a stark contrast to the institutional reform efforts seen throughout New Amsterdam.
The Beauty in Breaking
Michele Harper · Book · 2021
Explores: systemic inequality, empathy, healing.
Like the staff in New Amsterdam, the author navigates systemic inequality and personal empathy, offering a powerful medical memoir that mirrors the show's commitment to social justice.
Films on the same thread
The Good Nurse
Tobias Lindholm · Film · 2022
Explores: Hospital Setting, Moral Dilemma, Systemic Corruption.
While New Amsterdam focuses on fixing a hospital, this thriller explores the terrifying consequences of systemic corruption and the moral courage required to be a whistleblower.
Patch Adams
Tom Shadyac · Film · 1998
Explores: The Power of Laughter, Unconventional Medicine, Challenging the System.
Fans of the rule-breaking mentality in New Amsterdam will appreciate this true story of a doctor who challenges conventional medicine to put patient happiness above all else.
I Am Sam
Jessie Nelson · Film · 2001
Explores: Parental Rights, Neurodiversity, Challenging Social Norms.
The heart of New Amsterdam lies in supporting the vulnerable, a theme echoed here as a father fights against rigid social norms to protect his parental rights.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
If the social justice advocacy in New Amsterdam resonated with you, this podcast provides an essential historical context for the systemic issues that persist in American institutions.
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound · Podcast · 2025
This podcast explores the deception hidden behind a medical narrative, offering a unsettling perspective on the healthcare journey that contrasts with the transparency sought in New Amsterdam.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is New Amsterdam based on a true story?
New Amsterdam is a 2018 television series created by David Schulner. The show follows the medical director of America's oldest public hospital as he attempts to reform the system and provide exceptional care to patients despite the skepticism of his staff and the existing bureaucracy.
What is the primary goal of the medical director in New Amsterdam?
In New Amsterdam, the medical director Max Goodwin aims to tear up the bureaucracy within America's oldest public hospital. His goal is to provide exceptional care to patients by not taking no for an answer and asking everyone he encounters how he can help.
How does the staff react to the new medical director in New Amsterdam?
In New Amsterdam, the doctors and staff are initially unsure if the new medical director can succeed in his mission to reform the hospital. They have heard promises of change before and remain skeptical of his unconventional approach to breaking the rules to heal the system.
What is the central conflict featured in New Amsterdam?
The central conflict in New Amsterdam involves the new medical director attempting to reform the hospital system against the wishes of a skeptical staff. Max Goodwin must navigate the challenges of breaking established rules to improve patient care while dealing with the bureaucracy of America's oldest public hospital.