What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSoul
Film · 2020
If you loved Soul, start with The Midnight Gospel (Pendleton Ward, 2020) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Soul across media.
What hooked you in Soul was the way it uses whimsical, metaphysical journeys to explore the profound, human-sized questions of existence.
Books on the same thread
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo · Book · 2019
Shares a thread with Soul: Adventure.
Like the protagonist of Soul, Despereaux finds deep meaning in art and music, proving that even the smallest creatures can possess a soul defined by wonder and bravery.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Soul: Self-Discovery.
If the journey of self-discovery in Soul resonated with you, this story offers a similar sense of finding one’s true purpose within an expansive, magical hidden world.
Sing, Unburied, Sing
Jesmyn Ward · Book · 2020
Explores: Generational trauma, Systemic racism, Parental neglect.
While Soul explores the afterlife through a whimsical lens, this narrative examines the weight of existence and ghosts, grounding its existential themes in a raw, emotional reality.
The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale (Pantheon Graphic Library)
Art Spiegelman · Book · 2022
Explores: The Holocaust, Family Trauma, Intergenerational Trauma.
Soul highlights the importance of memory and legacy, and this powerful work mirrors that depth by showing how personal history shapes the identity of those who survive.
Series on the same thread
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Series · 2023
Shares a thread with Soul: Self-Discovery.
This series captures the same poignant reflection on mortality found in Soul, as Frieren navigates the long-term value of time and the beauty of human connection after greatness.
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Soul: Existentialism.
This show shares the exact metaphysical curiosity of Soul, using a vibrant vision of the afterlife to challenge your perspective on morality, growth, and what makes life meaningful.
The Midnight Gospel
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Soul: Existentialism.
Mirroring the trippy, philosophical exploration of Soul, this series uses animation to dive deep into life and death, treating existence as a series of profound, meditative questions.
The Owl House
Dana Terrace · Series · 2020
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
Much like the unexpected mentorship in Soul, this story celebrates the beauty of finding your tribe and discovering your own path in a world that feels strange.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If you appreciated the conversational, wide-ranging exploration of life’s big questions in Soul, this podcast provides an unfiltered space to dive into similar inquiries about human experience.
Burdie Stories
Podcast
Explores: life experiences, anecdotes, self-reflection.
Soul finds beauty in the small, everyday moments of life, and this podcast echoes that sentiment by focusing on personal stories that invite deep reflection and self-discovery.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of Soul?
Soul follows Joe Gardner, a middle school teacher and jazz musician. After an accident separates his soul from his body, he is transported to the You Seminar. There, he must work with a soul-in-training named 22 to return to his life before he is sent to a newborn child.
Who is the protagonist of Soul?
The protagonist of Soul is Joe Gardner. He is a middle school teacher who is passionate about jazz music. His journey begins after he secures a successful audition at the Half Note Club and subsequently experiences an accident that transports his soul to the You Seminar.
What is the You Seminar in Soul?
In Soul, the You Seminar is a center where souls develop and gain their specific passions. Once these souls have developed their unique traits, they are transported to a newborn child. Joe Gardner interacts with this space after his soul is separated from his body.
Is 22 a character in Soul?
Yes, 22 is a soul-in-training featured in Soul. 22 resides at the You Seminar, where souls develop their passions. Joe Gardner enlists the help of 22 after his accident in order to navigate the process of returning to his physical body.