What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Breadwinner
Nora Twomey · Film · 2017
If you loved The Breadwinner, start with The Breadwinner (Eric Appel, 2026) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Breadwinner across media.
What hooked you in The Breadwinner was the way these young protagonists summon immense courage to challenge oppressive systems for their survival.
Start with the source
The source
The Breadwinner
Eric Appel · Film · 2026
Books on the same thread
Educated: A Memoir
Tara Westover · Book · 2018
Explores: Family dysfunction, Self-discovery, Overcoming adversity.
Like the young girl in The Breadwinner, Tara Westover relies on her own resilience and thirst for knowledge to overcome the constraints of a restrictive and dangerous upbringing.
The Giver
Lois Lowry · Book · 1993
Explores: Utopia, Loss of Memory, Individuality vs. Conformity.
Jonas mirrors the protagonist of The Breadwinner by navigating a rigid, controlled society, eventually uncovering the truth through a personal journey that demands he question his entire world.
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak · Book · 2013
Explores: World War II, Death and Dying, Loss and Grief.
The Book Thief echoes The Breadwinner by focusing on the power of stories and human spirit to provide a sense of hope while living under the shadow of war.
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins · Book · 2008
Explores: authoritarianism, class inequality, spectacle of violence.
Much like the heroine of The Breadwinner, Katniss Everdeen must utilize her wits and physical strength to provide for her family while fighting against an authoritarian and deadly regime.
Series on the same thread
The Legend of Korra
Bryan Konietzko · Series · 2012
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Spiritual Journey, Balance and Harmony.
Korra shares the headstrong, rebellious nature of the lead in The Breadwinner, as both characters actively challenge tradition and societal expectations to find their own path toward inner balance.
Anne with an E
Moira Walley-Beckett · Series · 2017
Shares 2 threads with The Breadwinner: Female Empowerment, Coming-of-Age Story.
Anne faces her own harsh reality with the same tenacity seen in The Breadwinner, proving that an outsider can fight for a sense of belonging against significant societal odds.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Explores: Friendship, Self-discovery, Redemption.
Steven Universe follows a young protagonist stepping into a heavy responsibility, echoing the way the character in The Breadwinner must grow up quickly to protect those he holds dear.
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
ND Stevenson · Series · 2018
Explores: Friendship, Betrayal, Good vs Evil.
Adora’s journey in this series reflects the central theme of The Breadwinner, showing how one individual can lead a fight for justice when faced with an overwhelming, oppressive force.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Comeback with Brenda Dennehy
Podcast
Explores: Resilience, Personal Growth, Transformation.
This podcast explores the same core of cultural resilience found in The Breadwinner, highlighting how real people summon the strength to triumph over adversity and transform their lives.
Feuer & Brot
Podcast
Explores: Feminism, Social Commentary, Friendship.
These conversations mirror the spirit of The Breadwinner by centering on feminism and social commentary, inviting you to examine the political structures that shape our collective experience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Breadwinner based on a book?
The Breadwinner is a 2017 animated film directed by Nora Twomey. While the film is a standalone adaptation, it is part of a broader series of works exploring the same source material. You can enjoy The Breadwinner as a complete cinematic experience on its own.
What is the plot of The Breadwinner?
The Breadwinner tells the story of a headstrong young girl living in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. To provide for her family, she disguises herself as a boy. This 2017 movie explores her struggle for survival and the challenges she faces while navigating life in a restrictive society.
How does The Breadwinner differ from the 2026 adaptation?
The Breadwinner 2017 film and the 2026 adaptation both draw from the same source material to depict the life of a girl in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Both versions focus on the same core narrative of a young girl disguising herself as a boy to support her family during difficult times.
Should I watch The Breadwinner if I want to learn about life in Afghanistan?
The Breadwinner provides a focused look at the life of a young girl under Taliban rule. By following her journey as she disguises herself as a boy to provide for her family, The Breadwinner offers a specific perspective on the challenges faced by individuals in that environment.