If you loved
R.I.P.D.
Robert Schwentke · Film · 2013
You loved the way R.I.P.D. blends supernatural bureaucracy with the gritty, irreverent humor of an unlikely partnership beyond the grave.
Books on the same thread
Redshirts
John Scalzi · Book · 2012
Explores: Self-Awareness, Existentialism, Breaking the Fourth Wall.
If R.I.P.D. appealed to your interest in the absurdity of afterlife systems, you will enjoy how this story applies that same bureaucratic cynicism to the trope of expendable science fiction characters.
Joyland (Hard Case Crime)
Stephen King · Book · 2013
Explores: Carnivals, First Love, Grief.
While R.I.P.D. leans into action, you will appreciate how this mystery captures the same eerie, atmospheric transition between the living world and the hidden secrets lurking just beneath the surface.
Odd Thomas
Dean Koontz, Dean Ray Koontz · Book · 2003
Explores: Good vs Evil, Fate vs Free Will, Communicating with the Dead.
You will find a familiar rhythm in this story, as it mirrors the R.I.P.D. premise of a reluctant hero tasked with policing the boundary between the living and the dead.
How to Sell a Haunted House
Grady Hendrix · Book
Explores: grief processing, dysfunctional family dynamics, haunted inheritance.
If the supernatural investigation elements of R.I.P.D. drew you in, this story offers a similar blend of domestic horror and the daunting, often haunted reality of dealing with the recently deceased.
Series on the same thread
Dead Like Me
Bryan Fuller · Series · 2003
Explores: Death and the afterlife, Existentialism, Coming of age.
This show perfectly captures the workplace comedy dynamic found in R.I.P.D., focusing on the cynical, day-to-day grind of afterlife enforcement officers who are tasked with collecting souls after their own deaths.
Death in Paradise
Robert Thorogood · Series · 2011
Explores: Fish Out of Water, Culture Clash, Small Town Secrets.
The buddy cop dynamic that defined R.I.P.D. is alive and well here, pairing an idiosyncratic investigator with a local partner to solve crimes in a setting where nothing is quite normal.
Grimm
David Greenwalt · Series · 2011
Explores: Monsters, Secret Societies, Dual Identity.
Much like the protagonist of R.I.P.D., this detective must balance his mundane job with the sudden, overwhelming discovery of a hidden world of monsters that exist just out of human sight.
Drop Dead Diva
Josh Berman · Series · 2009
Explores: Second Chance, Inner Beauty, Identity.
This series echoes the premise of R.I.P.D. by forcing a soul into a new, unexpected role, exploring the comedic and existential fallout of a sudden transition between life and death.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If you enjoyed the dark, comedic spin on mortality in R.I.P.D., you will appreciate these hosts using a similar irreverent tone to analyze the tragic realities of small town crime.
Recycle Bin
fpt. · Podcast · 2025
Explores: internet culture, tech industry news, casual conversation.
You will recognize the same brand of satirical banter found in R.I.P.D. as these hosts break down modern culture with the same casual, observant humor used by the film's protagonists.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is R.I.P.D. about a police officer who dies?
Yes, R.I.P.D. follows a recently slain cop who joins a specialized team of undead officers. After his death, he begins working for the Rest in Peace Department to investigate his own murder and track down the person responsible for his death.
What is the premise of R.I.P.D.?
The plot of R.I.P.D. centers on a deceased police officer who is recruited into the Rest in Peace Department. This supernatural law enforcement agency employs undead officers to maintain order, and the protagonist uses his new position to hunt for the man who murdered him.
Does R.I.P.D. involve an investigation into a murder?
Yes, the central conflict in R.I.P.D. involves the main character attempting to find his killer. After being slain, he joins the undead police force of the Rest in Peace Department, which provides him with the resources to pursue the man who ended his life.
What type of organization is the Rest in Peace Department in R.I.P.D.?
In R.I.P.D., the Rest in Peace Department is an agency staffed by undead police officers. The organization serves as the workplace for the protagonist after he is slain, allowing him to operate from beyond the grave to track down his murderer.