What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSpirited
Sean Anders · Film · 2022
If you loved Spirited, start with A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens, 2018) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Spirited across media.
If you loved Spirited, you likely crave stories that blend sharp, cynical humor with heartfelt explorations of personal redemption and transformation.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Scrooge
Brian Desmond Hurst · Film · 1951
Adaptation
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Burny Mattinson · Film · 1983
Books on the same thread
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with Spirited: Redemption.
Since Spirited is a modern riff on the classic Dickens tale, returning to the original text reveals the foundational blueprint for the themes of redemption and holiday reflection.
The Christmas Spirit
Debbie Macomber · Book
Explores: life swap, second chance at love, seasonal comfort.
Just as Spirited uses a supernatural premise to force a perspective shift, this story employs a job swap to facilitate personal growth and a deeper seasonal connection.
Good Spirits
B.K. Borison · Book
Explores: destined connection, redemption arc, afterlife.
This pick mirrors the supernatural hauntings seen in Spirited, focusing on a ghost who finds their own path to redemption while engaging with the person they are assigned.
Brightly Shining
Ingvild Rishøi · Book · 2024
Explores: Sisterhood, Financial hardship, Poverty.
While more grounded than the musical antics of Spirited, this tale captures the same earnest sense of holiday spirit and the quiet power of reexamining one's past circumstances.
Series on the same thread
Schmigadoon!
Ken Daurio · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Spirited: Musical Comedy.
If the musical parody elements of Spirited appealed to you, this series offers the same blend of genre satire and character transformation within an unexpected, magical setting.
Enlightened
Mike White · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Spirited: Redemption.
This show shares the exact DNA of the redemption arc found in Spirited, focusing on a protagonist navigating a messy journey toward self-improvement and a philosophical awakening.
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
Spirited relies on the dynamic of unlikely partners, a theme central to this series where disparate individuals must maintain a facade while building a genuine family unit.
Slow Horses
Series · 2022
Shares a thread with Spirited: Redemption.
This show captures the cynical, biting humor present in the dialogue of Spirited, grounding its redemption-seeking underdogs in a world defined by bureaucratic incompetence and sharp wit.
Podcasts on the same thread
SmartLess
Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett · Podcast · 2026
Explores: camaraderie, spontaneity, shared life experiences.
The organic, improvised camaraderie found in this podcast mirrors the banter between the leads in Spirited, celebrating the way shared life experiences unite people through thoughtful dialogue.
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
Since Spirited plays with the tropes of the holiday genre, this podcast provides the perfect analytical companion, breaking down the mechanics of the films you enjoy watching.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Spirited based on the original A Christmas Carol book?
Spirited is a modern musical reimagining of the classic story found in the 2018 book A Christmas Carol. While it follows the premise of a ghost selecting a dark soul for reformation, the film shifts the perspective to the Ghost of Christmas Present.
Should I watch the 1951 movie Scrooge before watching Spirited?
You do not need to watch the 1951 movie Scrooge to understand the plot of Spirited. However, watching both provides a broader perspective on how different filmmakers adapt the traditional narrative of a ghost visiting a soul who needs to be reformed.
Does Spirited feature the same characters as Mickey's Christmas Carol?
Spirited and Mickey's Christmas Carol are both adaptations of the same source material. While both films feature ghosts and a central character undergoing a transformation, Spirited is a live-action musical that focuses on the Ghost of Christmas Present rather than the traditional animated cast.
How does the plot of Spirited differ from the traditional A Christmas Carol story?
In the traditional story, a ghost reforms a dark soul. In Spirited, the Ghost of Christmas Present selects Clint Briggs, who turns the tables on his host. This forces the ghost to reexamine his own past, present, and future instead of just focusing on the target.