What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino · Book · 2021
If you loved Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, start with Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood across media.
You were drawn to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by its blend of historical atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and cinematic storytelling.
Start with the source
The source
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
Film · 2019
Films on the same thread
Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino · Film · 1994
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Redemption, Fate.
Like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, this film masterfully balances dark comedy and complex characters, grounding its sprawling narrative in a distinct sense of moral ambiguity.
The Hateful Eight
Quentin Tarantino · Film · 2015
Explores: Betrayal, Deception, Mistrust.
Those who appreciated the tension in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will recognize the same signature style here, where sharp dialogue masks imminent, brutal violence.
Once Upon a Time in the West
Film · 1968
Explores: Revenge, The decline of the Old West, Greed.
This epic film shares the thematic preoccupation with the decline of an era found in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, capturing a changing, unforgiving landscape.
Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino · Film · 2012
Explores: Revenge, Racial Injustice, Slavery.
If the revisionist energy of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood resonated with you, this film offers a similar, bold reimagining of history through a cinematic lens.
Series on the same thread
Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi · Series · 2021
Explores: Indigenous identity, small-town life, teenage friendship.
Much like the characters in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, these teenagers navigate a dream of reaching California, highlighting the intersection of identity and aspiration.
Your Friends & Neighbors
Jonathan Tropper · Series · 2025
Explores: wealth inequality, midlife crisis, moral decay.
This series echoes the satirical look at social decay and midlife crisis in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, following a man spiraling through his surroundings.
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost · Series · 1990
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Doppelgangers, Good vs Evil.
The sense of creeping dread and hidden secrets beneath a polished facade in this show mirrors the unsettling atmosphere that permeates Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Man on Fire
Kyle Killen · Series · 2026
Explores: redemption, guilt, protective bond.
Fans of the protective, weary bond between characters in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will find a similar dynamic in this gritty story of redemption.
Podcasts on the same thread
You Must Remember Manson
Karina Longworth · Podcast · 2022
This podcast provides the real-world context for the historical backdrop of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, deepening your understanding of that fateful summer of 1969.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
The long-form, inquisitive approach to historical consequences here complements the way Once Upon a Time in Hollywood interrogates the nature of time and cultural legacy.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood novel different from the 2019 movie?
Yes, the 2021 novel by Quentin Tarantino is a work of fiction based on his Academy Award-winning film. While it features the same characters, the book provides a distinct literary experience that expands upon the narrative and tone established in the original Once Upon a Time in Hollywood movie.
What is the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood book about?
The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood novel follows Rick Dalton, a former television star struggling with his career, and his stuntman Cliff Booth. The plot explores Rick's attempts to find work while dealing with his personal demons and the potential career-altering consequences of a phone call from Rome.
Should I read the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood book before watching the movie?
You can consume them in either order. The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood novel is based on the 2019 film, so watching the movie first provides visual context for the characters, while reading the book offers further insight into the lives of Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth.
Does the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood book include the same characters as the film?
Yes, the book centers on the same primary characters found in the film, specifically Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth. The novel explores their experiences as they navigate their respective paths in the industry, maintaining the core character dynamics established in the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood movie.