What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTarzan
Edgar Rice Burroughs · Book · 1914
If you loved Tarzan, start with Tarzan (1999) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Tarzan across media.
If you loved Tarzan, you crave stories that pit the raw, primal instincts of nature against the fragile constraints of civilization.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Tarzan
Film · 1999
Adaptation
Tarzan & Jane
Film · 2002
Adaptation
Tarzan II
Brian Smith · Film · 2005
Films on the same thread
King Kong
Merian C. Cooper · Film · 1933
Shares 2 threads with Tarzan: Man vs. Nature, Jungle Adventure.
Like Tarzan, this film explores the tension between man and the untamed wilderness, capturing the same sense of awe and terror found when encountering a legendary, powerful creature.
The Lion King
Film · 1994
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Coming of age.
This story mirrors the coming of age journey in Tarzan, focusing on a young protagonist who must embrace his true nature and destiny to reclaim his rightful place.
Avatar
James Cameron · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Man vs. Nature.
Much like the ape-man, the protagonist here undergoes a profound cultural assimilation, forced to reconcile his human origins with the wild, alien environment he eventually comes to call home.
Titanic
James Cameron · Film · 1997
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Survival.
While grounded in history, this film shares the sweeping, romantic intensity of Tarzan, highlighting how individuals navigate rigid social structures when faced with life-altering, primal survival situations.
Series on the same thread
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling · Series · 1959
Explores: Existentialism, Paranoia, Social Commentary.
If the moral dilemmas of Tarzan intrigued you, this series offers a similar examination of human nature and societal breakdown through its unsettling and thought-provoking narrative twists.
Life on Earth
Series · 1979
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Survival.
This documentary series provides the real-world foundation for the biological themes in Tarzan, illustrating the brutal, fascinating struggle for survival across the diverse landscapes of our natural world.
Bonanza
David Dortort · Series · 1959
Explores: family loyalty, frontier justice, community defense.
Similar to the protective instincts found in Tarzan, this show centers on the strength of family loyalty and the defense of one's territory against external threats and civilizational pressures.
Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Survival.
This animation captures the visceral, non-verbal connection between different species seen in Tarzan, emphasizing the raw, unspoken bond necessary to survive in a hostile and unforgiving prehistoric world.
Podcasts on the same thread
Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks
Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Human-wildlife conflict, Apex predators, Biological survival.
This podcast explores the same dangerous human-wildlife conflicts that defined the jungle life of Tarzan, providing expert insight into the apex predators that rule the savage natural world.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
If you enjoyed the exploration of human nature in Tarzan, this historical analysis offers a deeper look at the moral ambiguity and civilizational shifts that shape our collective history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Tarzan movies?
You should begin with the 1999 Tarzan movie. Following that, you can continue the story with the 2002 release Tarzan & Jane, and finally, view Tarzan II, which was released in 2005. This sequence follows the chronological release order of these specific animated adaptations.
Is Tarzan based on a book?
Yes, Tarzan is based on the classic 1914 book written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The novel follows the story of a boy raised in the African jungle by an ape named Kala, detailing how he learns to survive and communicate with the wild animals around him.
How does Tarzan learn to survive in the jungle?
In the original book, Tarzan learns to survive by being raised by the great ape Kala. He masters the secrets of the jungle, which includes learning how to communicate with various animals and developing the physical skills necessary to swing through the trees and navigate his environment.
Should I read the book before watching Tarzan?
Reading the 1914 Tarzan book provides the original context for the ape-man's upbringing and his life in the African jungle. While the 1999 movie and its sequels offer their own visual take on the story, the book offers a deeper look at the character's early development.