What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Emoji Movie
Tony Leondis · Film · 2017
If you loved The Emoji Movie, start with Big Mouth (Mark Levin, 2017) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Emoji Movie across media.
What hooked you in The Emoji Movie is the charming, relatable struggle of finding your authentic place while navigating a complex internal world.
Books on the same thread
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
and Jeff Kinney · Book
Explores: Middle school struggles, Adolescent awkwardness, Social hierarchy.
Much like Gene’s quest for identity in The Emoji Movie, this book explores the awkward social hierarchy and internal pressures of wanting to fit in during middle school.
The Pout-Pout Fish
Deborah Diesen · Book · 2017
Shares a thread with The Emoji Movie: Self-Acceptance.
If you enjoyed the emotional journey of Gene in The Emoji Movie, you will appreciate this story about a fish learning that his expressions do not define him.
Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi · Book · 1996
Explores: Transformation, Redemption, Consequences.
The Emoji Movie echoes this classic tale of a non-conforming character who rejects his programmed role to discover what it truly means to become a real person.
Smile
Raina Telgemeier · Book
Explores: adolescent anxiety, self-discovery, dental trauma.
This memoir captures the same feeling of adolescent anxiety found in The Emoji Movie, focusing on the messy, honest path toward self-acceptance and discovering your own unique voice.
Series on the same thread
The Amazing World of Gumball
Ben Bocquelet · Series · 2011
Explores: Suburban Life, School Life, Family Dynamics.
Fans of The Emoji Movie will enjoy these surreal adventures, which mirror Gene’s chaotic world by placing relatable characters into absurd, high-stakes environments where they must navigate daily life.
Big Mouth
Mark Levin · Series · 2017
Explores: Puberty, Adolescence, Awkwardness.
This series takes the coming-of-age spirit of The Emoji Movie and applies it to the turbulence of puberty, highlighting the same awkwardness that comes with defining your personal identity.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Lauren Faust · Series · 2010
Shares a thread with The Emoji Movie: Animated Comedy.
Just as Gene relies on his friends to embrace his individuality in The Emoji Movie, these characters learn that their unique traits are the key to building lasting friendships.
Dream Productions
Mike Jones · Series · 2024
Explores: Inner Child, Memory Processing, Emotional Growth.
This show expands on the personification of emotions seen in The Emoji Movie, providing a deeper look at how our internal experiences shape the way we grow up.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
If the offbeat, conversational energy of The Emoji Movie appealed to you, this podcast offers a similar sense of unfiltered dialogue and exploration of what makes people tick.
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
This podcast captures the same desire for meaningful connection found in The Emoji Movie, focusing on the vulnerability and self-deprecating humor required to build a real friendship.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Emoji Movie a story about a specific character?
Yes, The Emoji Movie follows a character named Gene. Gene is a multi-expressional emoji who embarks on a journey with the goal of becoming a normal emoji like the others.
What is the main plot of The Emoji Movie?
The Emoji Movie centers on Gene, an emoji capable of showing multiple expressions. He sets out on a journey because he wants to become a normal emoji instead of being multi-expressional.
Who directed The Emoji Movie?
The Emoji Movie was directed by Tony Leondis. The film was released in 2017 and features the journey of a multi-expressional emoji named Gene as he attempts to become a normal emoji.
When was The Emoji Movie released?
The Emoji Movie was released in 2017. The film tells the story of Gene, a multi-expressional emoji who travels through his world in an attempt to become a normal emoji.