If you loved
Steelheart
Brandon Sanderson · Book · 2014
What hooked you in Steelheart was the way world-altering superpowered tyranny forces ordinary individuals to fight back against impossible odds.
Films on the same thread
Real Steel
Shawn Levy · Film · 2011
Explores: Redemption, Father-Son Relationship, Underdog Story.
Much like the grounded struggle against Epics in Steelheart, this story focuses on a man using grit and mechanical ingenuity to overcome a world dominated by superior physical forces.
Man of Steel
Zack Snyder · Film · 2013
Explores: Messianic Archetype, Alien Assimilation, Existential Crisis.
If you enjoyed the moral complexity of superpowered beings in Steelheart, this film explores the heavy existential burden and societal disruption that comes with the arrival of god-like alien entities.
The Darkest Minds
Film · 2018
Explores: Superpowers, Survival, Coming-of-age.
Just as the protagonists in Steelheart grapple with the consequences of powers, this series follows the journey of a young hero navigating destiny while living under the shadow of superpowered gifts.
Ready Player One
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2018
Explores: Nostalgia, Escapism, Corporate Greed.
This story captures the same high-stakes competitive tension found in Steelheart, placing an underdog in a rigged, dystopian world where winning is the only way to challenge the status quo.
Series on the same thread
Smallville
Alfred Gough · Series · 2001
Explores: Secret Identity, Destiny vs. Free Will, First Love.
If Steelheart hit, Smallville shares the thread.
The Boys
Eric Kripke · Series · 2019
Explores: Anti-Hero, Corporate Corruption, Abuse of Power.
If the vigilante justice against corrupt tyrants in Steelheart resonated with you, this show provides a dark, deconstructionist look at what happens when unchecked superpowered individuals abuse their absolute authority.
The Flash
Geoff Johns · Series · 2014
Explores: Secret Identity, Teamwork, Metahumans.
This series shares the team-based approach to heroism found in Steelheart, focusing on how a group of individuals uses science and strategy to combat the dangers posed by powerful metahumans.
Titans
Geoff Johns · Series · 2018
Explores: Team Dynamics, Mentor-Mentee Relationship, Identity Crisis.
Mirroring the resistance themes of Steelheart, this show highlights the necessity of teamwork among young people as they form a collective force to stand against dangerous, superpowered threats.
Podcasts on the same thread
S-Town
Serial Productions · Podcast · 2024
Explores: small-town isolation, eccentricity, social decay.
While grounded in reality, this investigation mirrors the obsession and drive seen in Steelheart, following a man determined to disrupt the status quo of a town he feels has lost its way.
Order of Man
Ryan Michler · Podcast · 2026
Explores: self-improvement, stoicism, character building.
The focus on resilience and character building aligns with the spirit of the Reckoners in Steelheart, emphasizing the discipline required to maintain one's humanity while facing overwhelming external pressures.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I read the Reckoners series in?
The Reckoners series begins with Steelheart. After finishing Steelheart, you should continue the series by reading the second book, Firefight, followed by the final installment, Calamity.
Is Steelheart part of a series?
Yes, Steelheart is the first book in the Reckoners series written by Brandon Sanderson. The series continues with two subsequent novels titled Firefight and Calamity.
Who is the author of Steelheart?
Steelheart was written by Brandon Sanderson. He is also known for creating the Mistborn trilogy and coauthoring the Wheel of Time series with Robert Jordan, as well as writing the novel Oathbringer.
Does Steelheart have any sequels?
Yes, Steelheart has two sequels that complete the Reckoners series. You can continue the story by reading the next two books in the series, which are titled Firefight and Calamity.