What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPinocchio
Jo Soo-won · Series · 2014
If you loved Pinocchio, start with Pinocchio (Hamilton Luske, 1940) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Pinocchio across media.
What hooked you in Pinocchio was the way the pursuit of objective truth collides with the messy reality of secrets.
Start with the source
The source
Pinocchio
Hamilton Luske · Film · 1940
Books on the same thread
Pachinko
Min Jin Lee · Book · 2017
Explores: Immigration, Identity, Family.
Like Pinocchio, this sprawling family saga explores how deep-seated family secrets and the weight of history shape the identity of those trying to find their place in the world.
The Orphan Master's Son
Adam Johnson · Book · 2012
Explores: North Korea, Totalitarianism, Identity.
You will find the same tension between public propaganda and private reality that defined Pinocchio, as this narrative delves into a life built upon a foundation of state-mandated lies.
Gomorrah
Roberto Saviano · Book · 2007
Explores: Mafia, Corruption, Crime.
This investigative work echoes the journalistic drive found in Pinocchio, exposing how corruption and hidden agendas distort the truth and impact the lives of ordinary, everyday citizens.
Follow Your Heart (Va' dove ti porta il cuore)
Susanna Tamaro · Book · 1994
Explores: Self-Discovery, Intergenerational Relationships, Regret.
The emotional weight of intergenerational secrets in this epistolary novel mirrors the character-driven stakes of Pinocchio, focusing on the painful process of uncovering truths that have been long buried.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Explores: Class Warfare, Social Commentary, Deception.
Much like the reporters in Pinocchio who navigate deceptive environments, this film masterfully illustrates the consequences of maintaining a facade and the inevitable collapse of carefully constructed social lies.
Mother
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2009
Explores: Maternal Instinct, Wrongful Accusation, Small Town Secrets.
This psychological thriller captures the same desperation found in Pinocchio when a character must fight against a systemic failure of justice to prove a truth that no one believes.
The Truman Show
Peter Weir · Film · 1998
Explores: Existentialism, Reality vs. Illusion, Loss of Innocence.
The existential crisis regarding media manipulation and fabricated reality mirrors the central conflict of Pinocchio, forcing you to question what is genuine in a world designed to deceive.
Quiz Show
Robert Redford · Film · 1994
Explores: Integrity vs. Ambition, The Price of Fame, Truth vs. Deception.
This film mirrors the ethical dilemmas of Pinocchio by highlighting the clash between personal ambition and the integrity required to report or present the truth to a public audience.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These stories lean into the moral ambiguity and pursuit of truth that drove Pinocchio, offering cinematic audio experiences that challenge your perspective on what constitutes a real story.
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
Explores: unsolved homicide, seeking justice, historical mystery.
This investigative series captures the relentless spirit of the reporters in Pinocchio, turning back the clock to uncover hidden facts and seek justice in the face of long-standing silence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2014 TV series Pinocchio a direct adaptation of the 1940 movie?
No, the 2014 TV series Pinocchio is not an adaptation of the 1940 movie. While they share a title, the television show focuses on the professional lives of two reporters, In-ha and Ha-myeong, rather than the story of the puppet featured in the 1940 film.
Should I read the 1996 book Pinocchio before watching the 2014 TV series?
You do not need to read the 1996 book Pinocchio to understand the 2014 TV series. The television show directed by Jo Soo-won is an independent production about reporters and does not share the same plot or source material as the 1996 book.
What is the main premise of the 2014 TV series Pinocchio?
The 2014 TV series Pinocchio follows two characters, In-ha and Ha-myeong, as they become reporters. The plot centers on their different motivations for entering the field, with In-ha hoping to follow her mother's career path and Ha-myeong aiming to report the news with honesty.
Are the 1940 movie and 2014 TV series Pinocchio related?
The 1940 movie and 2014 TV series Pinocchio are not related. The 1940 film is a classic adaptation, whereas the 2014 series is a drama about journalists. They share the same title but represent entirely different stories, characters, and production formats.