What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Glass Castle
Jeannette Walls · Book · 2006
If you loved The Glass Castle, start with The Glass Castle (Destin Daniel Cretton, 2017) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Glass Castle across media.
If you loved The Glass Castle, you were likely drawn to the visceral, complex endurance of family bonds amidst profound instability.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Glass Castle
Destin Daniel Cretton · Film · 2017
Films on the same thread
Howl's Moving Castle
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 2004
Explores: Inner Beauty, Pacifism, Curse Breaking.
Just as Jeannette Walls navigates the erratic world of her parents in The Glass Castle, Sophie must find her own agency while trapped within the chaotic, shifting environment of a wizard.
Castle in the Sky
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 1986
Explores: Anti-war, Environmentalism, Orphan protagonists.
The Glass Castle captures the resilience of children in unconventional circumstances, a theme mirrored here as young protagonists rely on their own ingenuity to survive a perilous and nomadic adventure.
The Diary of Anne Frank
George Stevens · Film · 1959
Shares 2 threads with The Glass Castle: Resilience, Coming-of-Age.
Much like the harrowing childhood depicted in The Glass Castle, this story examines the loss of innocence and the strength required to maintain one's humanity while living in extreme confinement.
The Wolf of Wall Street
Film · 2013
Explores: Greed, Excess, Corruption.
While the setting differs from The Glass Castle, you will recognize the same drive for survival and self-invention, driven by the intense, often reckless ambition of an autobiographical figure.
Series on the same thread
The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan · Series · 2018
Explores: Trauma, Family Secrets, Mental Illness.
If the family dynamics in The Glass Castle left you reeling, this exploration of how past trauma and shared secrets continue to haunt a fractured family will deeply resonate.
Gossip Girl
Stephanie Savage · Series · 2007
Shares a thread with The Glass Castle: Coming-of-Age.
The Glass Castle explores the social isolation of a unique upbringing, which contrasts sharply with the high-stakes, gossip-driven social hierarchy that defines the lives of these privileged prep school teenagers.
Shameless
Paul Abbott · Series · 2011
Shares 3 threads with The Glass Castle: Poverty, Resilience, Parental Neglect.
This show mirrors the dysfunctional family structure of The Glass Castle, focusing on how children develop independence and resilience while growing up under the care of a negligent, unreliable parent.
Cheers
Les Charles · Series · 1982
Explores: Friendship, Community, Finding your place.
After the intense emotional journey of The Glass Castle, this series offers a grounded look at finding community and a sense of belonging among a group of disparate, unconventional individuals.
Podcasts on the same thread
The School of Greatness
Lewis Howes · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Glass Castle: Resilience.
The Glass Castle is a profound study of resilience, and this podcast provides the practical mindset shifts and high-performance coaching needed to overcome personal adversity and achieve lasting success.
the memory palace
Nate DiMeo · Podcast · 2026
Much like the evocative, memory-driven prose found in The Glass Castle, this podcast uses personal storytelling to explore the hidden, often overlooked moments that shape our understanding of human history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Glass Castle based on a true story?
Yes, The Glass Castle is a memoir written by Jeannette Walls. It chronicles her personal upbringing and family experiences, which are recounted as factual events from her life. The book was published in 2006 and spent more than seven years on the New York Times bestseller list.
Was The Glass Castle adapted into a movie?
Yes, The Glass Castle was adapted into a major motion picture released in 2017. The film was produced by Lionsgate and features a cast that includes Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts.
Should I read The Glass Castle before watching the movie?
Reading The Glass Castle before watching the 2017 film adaptation is a common approach for fans. The book provides the original source material and detailed perspective from Jeannette Walls, while the movie offers a visual interpretation of the memoir featuring actors like Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson.
How long was The Glass Castle on the bestseller list?
The Glass Castle remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than seven years. This sustained popularity reflects its status as a widely recognized memoir that explores themes of resilience and redemption following its initial publication in 2006.