What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTarzan
Film · 1999
If you loved Tarzan, start with Tarzan (Edgar Rice Burroughs, 1914) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Tarzan across media.
What hooked you in Tarzan is the internal struggle of finding where you truly belong when caught between two different worlds.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Tarzan & Jane
Film · 2002
Adaptation
Tarzan II
Brian Smith · Film · 2005
Books on the same thread
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as Tarzan navigates his identity among the apes, Max explores his own wild nature and emotional landscape, finding a sense of belonging in a world entirely his own.
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling · Book · 2017
Shares 2 threads with Tarzan: Belonging, Identity.
Like Tarzan, Mowgli is a human child raised by animals, forcing him to reconcile his place within the law of the jungle and his own human identity and community.
The Ugly Duckling
Hans Christian Andersen · Book · 1996
Shares 2 threads with Tarzan: Identity, Belonging.
If you were moved by the journey of self-discovery in Tarzan, this tale of transformation and acceptance mirrors the internal search for one's true family and authentic self.
The Call of the Wild
Jack London · Book · 2006
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Survival, Adaptation.
Tarzan faces the primal tension between nature and human civilization; similarly, this story explores the raw adaptation required when a creature is displaced from its familiar, natural home environment.
Series on the same thread
Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2019
Explores: Survival, Unlikely friendship, Human-animal bond.
The unlikely bond between a man and a beast in this series echoes the deep connection between Tarzan and Kala, showcasing survival and friendship in a hostile, wild landscape.
Spider-Man
Series · 1994
Shares a thread with Tarzan: Coming-of-Age.
Peter Parker balances his secret life and duties just as Tarzan struggles to choose between his jungle upbringing and his human origins, both grappling with their dual identities.
Dragon Ball Z
Series · 1989
Explores: Good vs Evil, Protecting Earth, Transformations.
Goku shares the protagonist arc seen in Tarzan, evolving through powerful transformations while balancing his protective instincts toward his family with his role as a defender of the Earth.
Batman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
Explores: Vigilantism, Urban Decay, Moral Ambiguity.
Bruce Wayne defines himself through a singular, tragic mission, much like Tarzan defines his life by his commitment to his jungle family and the search for his true purpose.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
The intellectual search for meaning in this podcast parallels the existential questions Tarzan asks about his own nature and the values that shape an individual's sense of belonging.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This adventure mirrors the sense of exploration found in Tarzan, emphasizing how group dynamics and shared experiences define our sense of family when navigating a vast, unpredictable world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the original source material for the 1999 Tarzan movie?
The 1999 movie is based on the original novel titled Tarzan, which was published in 1914. This book serves as the foundational source material for the character and his journey from being raised by an ape named Kala to discovering his human identity.
Is Tarzan II a direct follow-up to the 1999 film?
Yes, Tarzan II is a movie released in 2005 that continues the story established in the 1999 film. It explores the character's earlier life as he struggles to fit in with his ape family and discovers more about his identity before the events of the first movie.
Should I watch Tarzan & Jane after finishing the 1999 movie?
You can watch Tarzan & Jane, released in 2002, if you want to see more adventures featuring the characters from the 1999 film. This movie expands on the relationship between Tarzan and Jane Porter after their initial meeting during the expedition in the first installment.
How does Tarzan find out he is human in the 1999 movie?
In the 1999 movie, Tarzan discovers he is human after he rescues Jane Porter during an expedition. This encounter forces him to confront the reality of his origins and makes him decide whether he belongs with his ape family or with his own human kind.