What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSteve Jobs
Danny Boyle · Film · 2015
If you loved Steve Jobs, start with Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson, 2011) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Steve Jobs across media.
If Steve Jobs captured your imagination, explore these portraits of brilliant, flawed visionaries who sacrificed everything to reshape their worlds.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
American Prometheus
Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin · Book
Shares a thread with Steve Jobs: moral ambiguity.
Like the central figure in Steve Jobs, Oppenheimer embodies the complex intersection of intellectual genius and moral ambiguity, forcing you to weigh scientific achievement against devastating personal and societal costs.
Leonardo da Vinci
Walter Isaacson · Book · 2017
Explores: Creativity, Genius, Innovation.
If you were fascinated by the restless mind depicted in Steve Jobs, you will appreciate this deep dive into the relentless curiosity and innovative spirit of history's ultimate polymath.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 2005
Explores: Political Strategy, Leadership Under Pressure, Political Reconciliation.
Just as Steve Jobs examines the friction of leadership, this study of Lincoln reveals how political genius and complex cabinet dynamics can be leveraged to steer a nation through crisis.
Elon Musk
Walter Isaacson · Book · 2023
Shares a thread with Steve Jobs: Visionary Leadership.
This biography explores the same volatile brand of visionary leadership seen in Steve Jobs, tracing the life of a modern rule-breaker who similarly pushes the boundaries of technological advancement.
Series on the same thread
Mr. Robot
Sam Esmail · Series · 2015
Explores: Hacking, Anti-capitalism, Mental Illness.
Much like the protagonist of Steve Jobs, Elliot is a brilliant outsider whose specialized skills and psychological struggles make him both a revolutionary force and a deeply isolated figure.
Fosse/Verdon
Steven Levenson · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Steve Jobs: Biographical Drama.
This drama mirrors the intense focus on the price of success found in Steve Jobs, highlighting how the pursuit of creative perfection often fractures the most vital personal relationships.
Genius
Kenneth Biller · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with Steve Jobs: Biographical Drama.
If the character study in Steve Jobs resonated with you, this series offers a broader look at how obsession and intellectual drive shape the lives of history's most significant minds.
Suits
Aaron Korsh · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Steve Jobs: Moral Ambiguity.
Like the dynamic between Steve Jobs and his peers, this series highlights the high-stakes friction and moral ambiguity inherent in mentorships between brilliant, unconventional figures within a competitive industry.
Podcasts on the same thread
Acquired
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal · Podcast · 2026
Explores: entrepreneurial growth, market disruption, strategic decision-making.
If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the digital revolution in Steve Jobs, this podcast provides the strategic playbooks and historical context behind the companies that define our era.
Pivot
New York Magazine · Podcast · 2026
Explores: corporate accountability, power dynamics, market trends.
Much like the scrutiny faced by the subject of Steve Jobs, this show dissects the power dynamics and corporate accountability of the tech world with the same unfiltered intensity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the movie Steve Jobs based on a specific book?
Yes, the 2015 film Steve Jobs is based on the 2011 biography titled Steve Jobs. Both works provide an intimate look at the life of the digital pioneer, with the film focusing specifically on three key product launches occurring between 1984 and 1998.
What product launches are depicted in the movie Steve Jobs?
The movie Steve Jobs depicts three iconic product launches from the digital revolution. The narrative structure follows these events chronologically, concluding with the 1998 unveiling of the iMac, which serves as the final act in the portrayal of the man at the center of these developments.
Should I read the book Steve Jobs before watching the movie?
Reading the 2011 book Steve Jobs before watching the 2015 movie provides deeper context for the events depicted. While the film focuses on three specific backstage product launches, the book offers a comprehensive account of the life and career of the brilliant man behind the digital revolution.
How does the movie Steve Jobs portray the digital revolution?
The movie Steve Jobs portrays the digital revolution by taking the audience behind the scenes of three iconic product launches. By ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, the film creates an intimate portrait of the brilliant man who stood at the epicenter of these technological shifts.