What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe BFG
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2016
If you loved The BFG, start with A Series of Unfortunate Events (Barry Sonnenfeld, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The BFG across media.
What hooked you in The BFG is the way unlikely friendships between outcasts and giants bridge the gap between human and magical worlds.
Books on the same thread
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl · Book · 1961
Shares 3 threads with The BFG: Orphanhood, Friendship, Magical Realism.
Like The BFG, this story centers on an orphan finding courage and companionship in a surreal world where the ordinary meets the impossible through a shared, whimsical adventure.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Shares 2 threads with The BFG: Good vs. Evil, Friendship.
This classic journey mirrors the sense of wonder in The BFG by placing a humble, reluctant hero into a perilous landscape filled with giants and legendary creatures.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares 3 threads with The BFG: Good vs. Evil, Orphanhood, Friendship.
If you connected with the orphan protagonist of The BFG, you will appreciate this journey of a young outsider discovering a hidden world where good battles against evil.
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Norman Bridwell · Book · 1963
Shares a thread with The BFG: Friendship.
This story captures the tender, protective bond between a small child and a gentle giant, echoing the core friendship that defines the emotional heart of The BFG.
Series on the same thread
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The BFG: Friendship.
This series reflects the darker, mysterious side of The BFG, focusing on the bond between a child and a supernatural figure amidst a world of hidden dangers.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Series · 2012
Shares a thread with The BFG: Friendship.
The epic struggle against malevolent forces in this series mirrors the high-stakes battle against man-eating giants that drives the action and moral conflict within The BFG.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton · Series · 1989
Shares a thread with The BFG: Friendship.
The relationship between an ordinary girl and an unconventional supernatural ally mirrors the companionship found in The BFG, set against a backdrop of whimsical and gothic environments.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Barry Sonnenfeld · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with The BFG: Orphanhood.
These orphans navigate a world of treacherous adults and looming threats, evoking the same sense of vulnerability and resilience found in the young protagonist of The BFG.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Big Picture
Podcast
Explores: Hollywood, Awards Season, Film Criticism.
This podcast provides the same thoughtful analysis of cinema that fans of The BFG appreciate when exploring how directors craft magical realism and visual storytelling on screen.
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These cinematic audio dramas capture the same sense of wonder and imaginative world-building that makes the magical realism of The BFG such a compelling and immersive experience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The BFG a story about friendly giants?
Yes, The BFG features a benevolent giant who befriends an orphan girl. While the movie centers on this kind giant, they must work together to stop other man-eating giants that are invading the human world from Giant Country.
What is the main conflict in The BFG?
The main conflict in The BFG involves an orphan girl and her giant friend attempting to stop a group of man-eating giants. These hostile giants are invading the human world, requiring the pair to intervene to protect the people living there.
Does The BFG take place in the human world?
The BFG begins with an orphan girl being taken to Giant Country. The plot primarily focuses on the events in that location, where the girl and the benevolent giant work to prevent the man-eating giants from invading the human world.
Is The BFG directed by Steven Spielberg?
Yes, The BFG is a 2016 movie directed by Steven Spielberg. The film follows the journey of a young orphan girl who encounters a benevolent giant and travels to Giant Country to confront the dangerous man-eating giants threatening humanity.