What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedOnward
Dan Scanlon · Film · 2020
If you loved Onward, start with Adventure Time: Distant Lands (Pendleton Ward, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Onward across media.
What hooked you in Onward was the way high-stakes magical quests are deeply grounded in the messy, heartfelt reality of family.
Books on the same thread
The Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One: Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Shares a thread with Onward: Urban Fantasy.
Much like the brothers in Onward, Percy Jackson navigates a hidden world of myth while searching for connection, making this coming-of-age journey a perfect follow-up for your next adventure.
THE ADVENTURE ZONE: STORY AND SONG
Clint McElroy et al · Book
Explores: found family, heroic quest, self-discovery.
If the bond between siblings in Onward moved you, you will appreciate how this story centers on found family and heroic quests to uncover lost personal truths and identities.
Demon Slayer
Koyoharu Gotoge · Book · 2018
Explores: Sibling Bond, Grief, Moral Duty.
This story mirrors the emotional core of Onward by highlighting a powerful sibling bond tested by tragedy, focusing on the lengths a brother will go to save his sister.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book One The Lightning Thief
Rick Riordan · Book · 2020
Shares a thread with Onward: Urban Fantasy.
Just as the brothers in Onward discover magic in the mundane, this book reveals an exhilarating hidden world of mythology existing right alongside modern life, fueling your sense of wonder.
Series on the same thread
The Owl House
Dana Terrace · Series · 2020
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
Following the spirit of Onward, this series explores the transition into adulthood through the lens of a magical world, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and finding your chosen family.
Adventure Time: Distant Lands
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2020
Explores: Friendship, Self-Discovery, Nostalgia.
These specials capture the same sense of nostalgia and self-discovery found in Onward, proving that the most meaningful parts of any quest are the quiet, introspective moments along the way.
Adventure Time
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Coming of Age, Existentialism.
The unbreakable friendship between Finn and Jake echoes the core relationship of Onward, showing how relying on one another is essential when traversing a world filled with mystical, strange occurrences.
Hilda
Luke Pearson · Series · 2018
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Friendship, Environmentalism.
Hilda’s journey mirrors the wonder of Onward as she leaves the comfort of home to embrace the magical creatures and unexpected friendships waiting in the wider, enchanted world around her.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This podcast leans into the tabletop fantasy roots that Onward celebrates, offering a hilarious and heartfelt look at group dynamics and the unpredictable nature of embarking on a grand quest.
Dungeons and Daddies
Podcast
Explores: parenting, fish out of water, portal fantasy.
Mirroring the parental themes in Onward, this story follows fathers thrust into a high-stakes magical realm, focusing on the desperate, loving quest to rescue their sons against all odds.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Onward a fantasy movie?
Yes, Onward is set in a suburban fantasy world. The story follows two teenage elf brothers who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left in their world.
What is the premise of Onward?
Onward focuses on two teenage elf brothers living in a suburban fantasy world. They set out on a quest to find out if any magic remains in their world, leading them on an extraordinary journey.
Who directed the movie Onward?
Onward, released in 2020, was directed by Dan Scanlon. The film follows the journey of two teenage elf brothers as they navigate a suburban fantasy world in search of magic.
What kind of world is featured in Onward?
Onward is set in a suburban fantasy world. This unique setting provides the backdrop for the two teenage elf brothers as they travel on an extraordinary quest to see if magic still exists.