What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedPlanet Money
NPR · Podcast · 2026
If you loved Planet Money, start with The Lords of Easy Money (Christopher Leonard, 2022) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to Planet Money across media.
What hooked you in Planet Money is the knack for uncovering the complex, invisible systems that dictate our everyday reality.
Books on the same thread
Nudge
Richard H. Thaler, Cass R. Sunstein · Book · 2021
Shares a thread with Planet Money: Behavioral Economics.
Just as Planet Money deconstructs economic forces, this book explores the subtle choice architecture that influences human behavior, turning complex psychological theory into actionable, eye-opening insights for your daily life.
The Lords of Easy Money
Christopher Leonard · Book · 2022
Shares 2 threads with Planet Money: Investigative Journalism, Macroeconomics.
If you appreciate how Planet Money demystifies macroeconomics, you will value this investigation into the Federal Reserve, which exposes the hidden systemic policies driving modern income inequality and financial instability.
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel · Book · 2020
Explores: Wealth Building, Long-Term Investing, Risk Management.
Planet Money thrives on explaining the human side of finance, and this book mirrors that approach by focusing on how behavior and emotion often override logic in financial decision-making.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Robert T. Kiyosaki · Book · 2022
Explores: Financial Literacy, Asset Acquisition, Debt Management.
Much like the practical financial storytelling found in Planet Money, this classic challenges conventional wisdom about money and encourages you to rethink your personal relationship with assets and debt.
Films on the same thread
Parasite
Bong Joon Ho · Film · 2019
Explores: Class Warfare, Social Commentary, Deception.
Planet Money often highlights the stark divide between classes, a theme this film explores through a gripping narrative about family dynamics, social deception, and the struggle for economic survival.
The Big Short
Adam McKay · Film · 2015
Explores: Economic collapse, Corporate greed, Systemic corruption.
If you enjoy the way Planet Money dissects market failures, this film provides a sharp, cynical look at the systemic corruption and greed that fueled the global economic meltdown.
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord · Film · 2026
Explores: competence porn, amnesia, interspecies friendship.
Planet Money excels at making technical subjects accessible, and this story applies that same spirit of scientific problem-solving to a high-stakes survival mission in the far reaches of space.
Moneyball
Bennett Miller · Film · 2011
Explores: Underdog Story, Data Analysis, Challenging the Status Quo.
Planet Money loves a story about challenging the status quo, and this film captures that exact energy by showing how data analysis can disrupt established systems within professional sports.
Series on the same thread
Planet Earth
Series · 2006
Explores: Biodiversity, Conservation, Natural Wonders.
Planet Money brings the world to life through rigorous reporting, and this series applies that same level of curiosity to document the vast, interconnected systems of our global ecosystem.
Our Planet
Series · 2019
Explores: Climate Change, Environmentalism, Biodiversity.
Like the investigative depth of Planet Money, this documentary series examines the invisible environmental forces currently shaping our world, connecting human activity to the survival of the planet.
The Blue Planet
Andy Byatt · Series · 2001
Explores: Ocean Exploration, Marine Life, Environmentalism.
Planet Money constantly proves that there is more to the world than meets the eye, a sentiment echoed by this series as it explores the mysterious, under-documented marine environment.
Planet Earth II
Series · 2016
Explores: Survival, Animal Behavior, Natural Wonders.
Just as Planet Money illustrates the forces that shape our lives, this series highlights the ingenious ways animals adapt to survive the most challenging environments on our planet.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary focus of Planet Money?
Planet Money explores the economic forces that shape our daily lives. The podcast aims to help listeners understand the world by connecting any given topic back to the economy through narrative storytelling and investigative reporting.
Does Planet Money offer an option to listen without advertisements?
Yes, listeners can subscribe to Planet Money+ to access sponsor-free episodes. This subscription service includes ad-free versions of Planet Money, The Indicator, and the Planet Money Summer School series.
What additional content is included with a Planet Money+ subscription?
A Planet Money+ subscription provides sponsor-free episodes for three specific programs: Planet Money, The Indicator, and Planet Money Summer School. This allows subscribers to enjoy these podcasts without interruptions from sponsors.
Is Planet Money produced by NPR?
Yes, Planet Money is a podcast produced by NPR. The show focuses on explaining complex economic concepts by tying them to everyday topics and exploring the various forces that influence the world around us.