What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSpy Kids
Robert Rodriguez · Film · 2001
If you loved Spy Kids, start with Spy (Simeon Goulden, 2011) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Spy Kids across media.
What hooked you in Spy Kids was the thrilling way ordinary family dynamics collide with high-stakes international espionage and gadget-filled adventures.
Books on the same thread
Spy x Family, Vol. 1
Tatsuya Endo · Book · 2020
Explores: found family, secret identity, espionage.
Much like Spy Kids, this story thrives on the tension of secret identities within a domestic setting, perfectly capturing the humor and heart found in a family living double lives.
Spy School
Stuart Gibbs · Book
Explores: imposter syndrome, competence porn, underdog hero.
If you enjoyed the youthful perspective of the Cortez children in Spy Kids, you will appreciate this journey of an underdog thrust into the world of professional covert operations.
Stormbreaker
Anthony Horowitz · Book · 2002
Explores: Orphanhood, Secret Agent, Conspiracy.
This story mirrors the core tension of Spy Kids by forcing a young protagonist to reconcile a mundane upbringing with the shocking truth of a relative's secret agent past.
Spy x Family, Vol. 5
Tatsuya Endo · Book · 2021
Explores: found family, secret identity, domestic absurdity.
This continuation of the series maintains the same delightful balance of domestic absurdity and secret-agent action that made the family dynamics in Spy Kids so memorable and fun to watch.
Series on the same thread
SPY x FAMILY
Series · 2022
Explores: Found Family, Secret Identity, Fish Out of Water.
You will find the same chaotic charm of Spy Kids here, as a group of people with conflicting secret identities must navigate the challenges of acting like a normal family.
Spy
Simeon Goulden · Series · 2011
Explores: Secret Identity, Incompetent Protagonist, Divorced Parents.
This sitcom captures the specific parental struggle seen in Spy Kids, where a father must balance the high-pressure demands of intelligence work with the responsibilities of raising his own child.
The Magic School Bus
Bruce Degen · Series · 1994
Explores: Science Education, Teamwork, Curiosity.
While lacking the espionage, this series captures the adventurous spirit and educational gadgetry of Spy Kids, proving that learning and problem-solving are just as exciting as any secret mission.
Teen Titans
Series · 2003
Explores: Teamwork, Coming of Age, Good vs Evil.
Fans of the gadget-heavy action in Spy Kids will recognize the same spirit of teamwork and youthful heroism as these young protagonists use specialized gear to save the world.
Podcasts on the same thread
Story Pirates
Story Pirates · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Childhood imagination, Collaborative storytelling, Humor.
Just as Spy Kids celebrates the boundless creativity of children, this podcast honors the imaginative stories written by kids, turning their unique ideas into a collaborative and hilarious adventure.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
If the family teamwork in Spy Kids was your favorite aspect, you will enjoy this group of relatives embarking on a high-stakes campaign filled with humor and unexpected obstacles.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Spy Kids about a family of secret agents?
Yes, Spy Kids follows Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez, who are retired secret agents. When their former colleagues begin to disappear, the parents return to duty and are joined by their children, Carmen and Juni, who become involved in the family business.
Why do the parents in Spy Kids return to work?
In Spy Kids, Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez return to their secret agent life because several of their former colleagues have gone missing. This crisis forces them out of retirement and leads their children, Carmen and Juni, to join them in the family business.
What is the plot of Spy Kids?
Spy Kids centers on Carmen and Juni, who believe their parents are boring. They soon discover that Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez were once top secret agents. When the parents are forced out of retirement to investigate missing colleagues, the children get involved in the dangerous family business.
Do the children participate in the missions in Spy Kids?
Yes, in Spy Kids, the children Carmen and Juni join the family business after their parents, Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez, are forced out of retirement to investigate the disappearances of their former colleagues. The children become active participants in the secret agent activities.