If you loved
Soul
Film · 2020
If you loved Soul, you will appreciate these stories that examine the profound weight of existence through a whimsical lens.
Books on the same thread
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig · Book · 2020
Shares 2 threads with Soul: Existentialism, Self-Discovery.
Just as Soul explores what makes a life worth living, this novel uses the concept of a library to let you examine every path you could have taken.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Soul: Self-Discovery.
Soul focuses on a soul discovering its destiny, and this story mirrors that journey of a young person finding their place in a world far larger than themselves.
The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
Garth Stein · Book · 2010
Explores: Loyalty, The human-animal bond, Family.
This story captures the same soulful essence as Soul by exploring the human experience through an unexpected perspective, focusing on the deep bonds that define our time here.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Dr. Seuss · Book · 1990
Shares a thread with Soul: Self-discovery.
The whimsical, life-affirming spirit that drives Soul is present in this classic, which serves as a gentle guide for anyone navigating the uncertainty of their own personal journey.
Series on the same thread
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Series · 2023
Shares a thread with Soul: Self-Discovery.
Like Soul, this series uses a fantastical premise to explore mortality and the value of time, forcing you to reflect on the meaning of the life you are living.
The Midnight Gospel
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2020
Shares a thread with Soul: Existentialism.
If the existential questions in Soul resonated with you, this show provides a similarly psychedelic and philosophical deep dive into the nature of life and death.
The Owl House
Dana Terrace · Series · 2020
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
Soul highlights the importance of finding your place in the world, a theme that anchors this story as a young protagonist discovers her own strength in a magical realm.
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Soul: Existentialism.
This show shares the comedic afterlife setting of Soul, using the framework of moral growth and redemption to challenge your understanding of what it means to be good.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
Much like the curiosity that drives Joe Gardner in Soul, this podcast explores the vast range of the human experience through unfiltered conversations about life and personal discovery.
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Soul: Existentialism.
If the existential themes in Soul left you wanting more, this podcast offers a deep dive into the responsibility and values that shape the human condition.
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 Joe Gardner in Soul?
Joe Gardner is the protagonist of Soul. He is a middle school teacher who is passionate about jazz music. After landing an audition at the Half Note Club, he experiences a life-changing accident that forces him to navigate the You Seminar to reconnect with his body.
What happens at the You Seminar in Soul?
In Soul, the You Seminar is a center where souls develop their personalities and passions. Before being transported to a newborn child, souls-in-training like 22 spend time at this location to gain the traits that will define their lives on Earth.
Who is 22 in the movie Soul?
In Soul, 22 is a soul-in-training residing at the You Seminar. 22 interacts with Joe Gardner after he arrives at the center following his accident. Together, they navigate the process of soul development as Joe attempts to find his way back to his physical body.