What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe City We Became
N. K. Jemisin · Book · 2020
If you loved The City We Became, start with American Gods (Bryan Fuller, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The City We Became across media.
What hooked you in The City We Became was the way urban landscapes pulse with living, breathing mythic energy.
Films on the same thread
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
If the grounding of cosmic stakes in a specific local community resonated with you in The City We Became, this intimate study of connection and discovery will feel equally essential.
Superman
Film · 2025
Explores: Heroism, Identity, Alienation.
Much like the protagonists in The City We Became, this version of Clark Kent balances his extraordinary origins against the complex, lived reality of a bustling metropolis.
Your Name.
Makoto Shinkai · Film · 2016
Explores: Fate, Interconnectedness, Rural vs. Urban Life.
The profound sense of urban interconnectedness and the way location shapes human fate in The City We Became find a beautiful, magical echo in this story of cosmic displacement.
Weathering with You
Film · 2019
Shares 2 threads with The City We Became: Magical Realism, Urban Fantasy.
You will appreciate how this film treats Tokyo as a living, reacting force, mirroring the metaphysical urbanism that makes The City We Became such a compelling, atmospheric experience.
Series on the same thread
American Gods
Bryan Fuller · Series · 2017
Shares 2 threads with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy, Mythic Fiction.
This series mirrors the mythic power struggle found in The City We Became, exploring how ancient deities and modern urban environments collide in a high-stakes battle for reality.
Marvel's Jessica Jones
Melissa Rosenberg · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy.
Fans of the gritty, street-level heroics in The City We Became will recognize the same blend of New York City tension and supernatural resistance against overwhelming personal trauma.
What We Do in the Shadows
Jemaine Clement · Series · 2019
Explores: Vampire Life, Fish-out-of-Water, Supernatural Roommates.
The City We Became treats boroughs as distinct characters, and this show offers a similarly grounded, witty perspective on the unique, supernatural culture of a specific New York neighborhood.
The Magicians
Sera Gamble · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with The City We Became: Urban Fantasy, Magical Realism.
If the academic and existential stakes of The City We Became captured your imagination, you will enjoy this look at how hidden magical realities fundamentally alter contemporary, everyday life.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The City We Became uses fantasy to interrogate national identity, and this series provides the historical, sociopolitical foundation for understanding the complex reality of the American urban experience.
Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness
Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness · Podcast · 2026
Explores: curiosity, self-actualization, mental wellness.
The City We Became celebrates the resilience of diverse identities, and this podcast offers a similar commitment to exploring personal growth and self-actualization within a modern, complex world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The City We Became a standalone novel?
The City We Became is a 2020 novel written by N. K. Jemisin. The provided description focuses on the story of a young grad student in Manhattan who loses his memory while sensing the heartbeat of the city, characterizing the work as a singular narrative of magic and myths.
Who is the author of The City We Became?
The City We Became is written by N. K. Jemisin. She is a three-time Hugo Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author known for crafting stories that explore culture, identity, and mythology within a contemporary urban setting.
What is the primary setting of The City We Became?
The City We Became is set in contemporary New York City. The narrative specifically centers on Manhattan, where a young grad student arrives and discovers he has lost his memory while simultaneously becoming aware of the city's living, beating heart.
What themes are explored in The City We Became?
The City We Became explores themes of culture, identity, magic, and myths. The story follows a protagonist in New York City who faces a mysterious loss of memory while experiencing a deep connection to the city itself.