What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman · Book · 2008
If you loved The Graveyard Book, start with Nightbooks (David Yarovesky, 2021) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Graveyard Book across media.
You loved The Graveyard Book because it finds wonder in the boundary between the living world and the supernatural afterlife.
Films on the same thread
ParaNorman
Film · 2012
Shares a thread with The Graveyard Book: Coming of Age.
Just as Bod navigates his graveyard upbringing, Norman finds his place as an outsider who bridges the gap between the living and the dead with empathy and courage.
Nightbooks
David Yarovesky · Film · 2021
Explores: Imprisonment, Storytelling as Survival, Good vs Evil.
The Graveyard Book captures the tension of being trapped in a magical space, a feeling Alex mirrors as he uses storytelling to survive his supernatural imprisonment.
The Book of Life
Jorge R. Gutierrez · Film · 2014
Explores: Day of the Dead, Family Expectations, Following Your Heart.
Much like the ghostly guardians in The Graveyard Book, this film explores the vibrant, fantastical traditions of the afterlife and the weight of familial expectations on youth.
Pan's Labyrinth
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2006
Explores: Escapism, Loss of Innocence, Good vs Evil.
If the dark fairy tale atmosphere of The Graveyard Book resonated with you, you will appreciate how this story blends grim reality with a dangerous, hidden underworld.
Series on the same thread
Good Omens
Neil Gaiman · Series · 2019
Explores: The Antichrist, End of the World, Unlikely Friendship.
Neil Gaiman’s signature wit links this to The Graveyard Book, offering a similarly clever perspective on supernatural forces and the strange bonds formed in extraordinary circumstances.
The Sandman
Neil Gaiman · Series · 2022
Shares a thread with The Graveyard Book: Urban Fantasy.
Morpheus navigates the cosmic realms in a way that echoes Bod's journey through the liminal spaces of The Graveyard Book, focusing on the weight of ancient responsibilities.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton · Series · 1989
Explores: Death Positivity, Friendship, Outsiders.
Lydia’s comfort with the afterlife mirrors Bod's childhood in The Graveyard Book, celebrating how an outsider can find a true sense of belonging among the dead.
Dead Boy Detectives
Steve Yockey · Series · 2024
Shares a thread with The Graveyard Book: Found Family.
These teen ghosts build a found family while investigating the supernatural, reflecting the same spirit of unconventional guardianship that defined Bod’s upbringing in The Graveyard Book.
Podcasts on the same thread
Grey Areas with Petra Bagust
Podcast
Explores: aging gracefully, midlife, self-discovery.
If The Graveyard Book hit, Grey Areas with Petra Bagust shares the thread.
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
If The Graveyard Book hit, 1619 shares the thread.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Graveyard Book about a boy who lives in a cemetery?
Yes, The Graveyard Book follows Bod, the only living resident of a graveyard. He is raised from infancy by ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens who teach him unique skills like the ability to Fade so he remains unseen by mortals.
What kind of skills does Bod learn in The Graveyard Book?
In The Graveyard Book, Bod learns the antiquated customs of his ghostly guardians. Beyond learning their history, he acquires specific supernatural teachings from the cemetery inhabitants, including the ability to Fade, which allows him to become invisible to ordinary mortals.
Who raises the main character in The Graveyard Book?
The main character, Bod, is raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other denizens of the graveyard. These supernatural guardians provide him with an upbringing that includes both ghostly teachings and the customs of their respective time periods.
Does The Graveyard Book feature a protagonist who interacts with ghosts?
Yes, The Graveyard Book centers on Bod, a boy who lives among the dead. He is raised by ghosts and other cemetery residents, learning from them how to navigate the world while possessing unique abilities like the power to Fade from human sight.