What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedReaganland
Rick Perlstein · Book · 2020
If you loved Reaganland, start with The Realignment (The Realignment, 2026) — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 1 podcast, each matched to Reaganland across media.
If Reaganland captivated you, you will appreciate these stories that explore how individual ambition and ideological fervor reshape national identity.
Films on the same thread
Lincoln
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2012
Explores: American Civil War, Presidential Leadership, Abolitionism.
Like the political maneuvering detailed in Reaganland, this film examines the high-stakes legislative battles required to shift a nation toward a new moral and political reality.
Nixon
Oliver Stone · Film · 1995
Explores: Abuse of Power, Paranoia, Political Intrigue.
Readers of Reaganland who enjoy Rick Perlstein's deep dives into the psyche of power will recognize the same blend of personal paranoia and institutional decline depicted here.
BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee · Film · 2018
Explores: Racial Injustice, Undercover Operation, Identity.
This story mirrors the cultural friction found in Reaganland, highlighting how grassroots movements and institutional infiltration define the complicated landscape of American racial and political history.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
Much like the power shifts analyzed in Reaganland, this film captures the tension between individual genius and the cold, bureaucratic machinery that dictates the course of history.
Series on the same thread
Mrs. America
Dahvi Waller · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Reaganland: Culture wars.
This series serves as a perfect companion to Reaganland, focusing on the same era of intense culture wars and the rise of conservative grassroots political movements.
The Plot Against America
Ed Burns · Series · 2020
Explores: Fascism in America, Xenophobia, Political Intrigue.
Fans of the historical analysis in Reaganland will find this exploration of populist rhetoric and political transformation to be a chilling look at the fragility of democracy.
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
Ken Burns · Series · 2014
Explores: American Presidency, Family Dynasty, Social Reform.
If you valued the sweeping historical scope of Reaganland, this documentary provides a similarly dense look at the family dynasties that shaped modern American political power.
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin
David Nobbs · Series · 1976
Explores: Midlife Crisis, Existentialism, Identity Crisis.
While tonally distinct from Reaganland, the underlying sense of existential disillusionment and the struggle to find meaning within rigid institutions will resonate with any serious political observer.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Realignment
The Realignment · Podcast · 2026
Explores: institutional change, populism, technological disruption.
This podcast continues the analytical tradition of Reaganland by examining the current institutional realignments and the volatile populist forces that are currently redefining the American political landscape.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Reaganland the final book in Rick Perlstein's series on modern conservatism?
Yes, Reaganland is the dramatic conclusion to the four-part series by Rick Perlstein. It follows his previous works, Nixonland, The Invisible Bridge, and Before the Storm, documenting the rise and eventual control of American political power by the conservative movement over the course of two decades.
Should I read Nixonland before starting Reaganland?
While Reaganland functions as the conclusion to the series, it is recommended to read the preceding books, Nixonland, The Invisible Bridge, and Before the Storm, to fully understand the historical progression of modern conservatism that Rick Perlstein details across his definitive multi-volume project on American political power.
What is the chronological order of the series including Reaganland?
The chronological order of Rick Perlstein's series begins with Before the Storm, followed by Nixonland, then The Invisible Bridge, and finally Reaganland. These four books together provide a comprehensive account of how the conservative movement gained and maintained political power in the United States over twenty years.
How many books are in the series that concludes with Reaganland?
There are four books in total within Rick Perlstein's series on modern conservatism. Reaganland serves as the final installment, following the earlier publications of Before the Storm, Nixonland, and The Invisible Bridge, which collectively track the development of political power in America over two decades.