What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedRound the Twist
Paul Jennings · Series · 1990
If you loved Round the Twist, start with Through the Looking Glass (Lewis Carroll, 1990) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Round the Twist across media.
You loved the way Round the Twist blended eccentric, supernatural chaos with the relatable, messy reality of family life.
Books on the same thread
Through the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll · Book · 1990
Explores: Logic vs. Nonsense, Identity, Growing Up.
If the bizarre, nonsensical magical realism of Round the Twist captured your imagination, you will find a similar sense of logic-defying wonder within the strange world of this classic.
Goosebumps
R. L. Stine · Book · 1992
Explores: Monsters, Supernatural, Fear.
Fans of the supernatural occurrences in Round the Twist will recognize that same blend of youthful curiosity and creeping dread when facing the unknown in this suspenseful Caribbean adventure.
Round the World in Eighty Days
Jules Verne · Book · 2010
Explores: Travel, Wagers, Ingenuity.
Just as Round the Twist features eccentric characters navigating bizarre situations, this tale of a daring wager delivers a similar spirit of ingenuity and grand, world-spanning adventure.
To the Lighthouse
Virginia Woolf · Book · 2012
Shares a thread with Round the Twist: Family Dynamics.
While Round the Twist uses a lighthouse as a backdrop for magic, this novel explores the profound intimacy and complex dynamics of family life within that very same setting.
Films on the same thread
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Film · 2001
Explores: good vs evil, orphaned protagonist, self-discovery.
The journey of discovery and magical growth in this film mirrors the way the children in Round the Twist must navigate their own extraordinary circumstances and supernatural challenges.
The Lighthouse
Robert Eggers · Film · 2019
Explores: Isolation, Madness, Identity crisis.
If the lighthouse setting of Round the Twist intrigued you, this film offers a darker, more intense perspective on the isolation and psychological strain of living in such towers.
The Magic Faraway Tree
Ben Gregor · Film · 2026
Shares a thread with Round the Twist: magical realism.
This story echoes the magical realism found in Round the Twist by showing how a modern family encounters eccentric, fantastical elements that ultimately strengthen their own internal bonds.
Around the World in 80 Days
Michael Anderson · Film · 1956
Explores: Race Against Time, Global Adventure, Culture Clash.
Much like the resourceful protagonists of Round the Twist, Phileas Fogg relies on his own ingenuity to overcome the obstacles of a high-stakes, fast-paced journey around the globe.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The collaborative spirit and improvised humor of this campaign capture the same sense of chaotic, high-adventure group dynamics that made the episodes of Round the Twist so memorable.
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
Explores: domestic life, modern marriage, parenthood struggles.
Fans of the domestic comedy found in Round the Twist will appreciate the raw, honest look at the annoyances and realities of modern family life shared in this podcast.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Round the Twist?
Round the Twist is a Logie Award-winning Australian children's television series. It centers on three children and their father living in a lighthouse who become involved in many bizarre magical adventures throughout the course of the show.
When was Round the Twist first released?
Round the Twist was released in 1990. The series was created by Paul Jennings and is recognized for its unique focus on a family living in a lighthouse encountering various magical and bizarre occurrences.
Is Round the Twist an Australian production?
Yes, Round the Twist is an Australian children's television series. It follows a family living in a lighthouse and is well known for winning a Logie Award for its storytelling regarding their bizarre magical adventures.
Who created the series Round the Twist?
The television series Round the Twist was created by Paul Jennings. The show depicts the lives of a father and his three children residing in a lighthouse while experiencing a variety of bizarre magical adventures.