What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Great Race
Blake Edwards · Film · 1965
If you loved The Great Race, start with Wacky Races (Joseph Barbera, 1968) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Great Race across media.
What hooked you in The Great Race is the thrill of high-stakes, global competition driven by larger-than-life personalities and innovative machines.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Wacky Races
Joseph Barbera · Series · 1968
Books on the same thread
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
If the glamorous, turn-of-the-century aesthetic of The Great Race captured your imagination, this tragic tale of wealth and excess offers a grounded, poignant look at the same era.
Round the World in Eighty Days
Jules Verne · Book · 2010
Explores: Travel, Wagers, Ingenuity.
Just like the daring trek in The Great Race, this classic adventure delivers the same spirit of global competition and the relentless pursuit of an ambitious, high-stakes wager.
From the Earth to the Moon
Jules Verne · Book · 1967
Shares a thread with The Great Race: Technological Advancement.
This narrative mirrors the technological ambition found in The Great Race, focusing on the sheer human ingenuity and courage required to conquer uncharted territory through daring scientific exploration.
The Race to the Future
Kassia St. Clair · Book · 2024
Shares a thread with The Great Race: Technological Advancement.
This history explores the real-world evolution of the automobile, providing the perfect non-fiction companion to the high-risk, sensationalist spirit of the automotive journey depicted in The Great Race.
Series on the same thread
Wacky Races
Joseph Barbera · Series · 1968
Shares a thread with The Great Race: Slapstick Comedy.
Fans of the slapstick rivalry between Leslie and Fate will find the same madcap energy and cartoonish vehicular chaos in this animated series that parodies competitive racing.
The Amazing Race
Bertram van Munster · Series · 2001
Explores: Global Adventure, Teamwork, Survival.
This reality series translates the global trekking and problem-solving challenges of The Great Race into a modern competitive format where teams must navigate the world to succeed.
Podcasts on the same thread
The School of Greatness
Lewis Howes · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Self-Actualization, Resilience, Peak Performance.
If the heroic, larger-than-life persona of The Great Leslie inspired you, these interviews with high-performers provide a modern look at the mindset required to achieve true greatness.
Phil Edwards
Podcast
Explores: entrepreneurship, technology, American Civil War.
This podcast mirrors the eclectic and curious spirit of The Great Race by blending historical inquiry with personal stories, touching on the technological advancements that defined an era.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Great Race related to the animated series Wacky Races?
Yes, The Great Race serves as a primary inspiration for the 1968 television show Wacky Races. Both titles feature competitive, eccentric characters participating in high-stakes, slapstick-filled vehicular contests that emphasize elaborate inventions and comedic rivalries between the lead participants.
What is the premise of The Great Race?
The Great Race follows the hero The Great Leslie as he organizes an automobile race from New York to Paris to promote car sales. His arch-rival, Professor Fate, attempts to sabotage the journey by competing in a custom-built vehicle of his own invention.
Does The Great Race take place entirely within the United States?
No, the plot of The Great Race is not limited to the United States. The characters embark on a transcontinental journey that travels westward across America, crosses the Bering Strait, and continues through Russia before reaching the final destination in Paris.
Should I watch Wacky Races if I enjoyed The Great Race?
Viewers who enjoyed The Great Race often appreciate Wacky Races because the television series adopts the same spirit of competitive, over-the-top automotive racing. Both titles focus on the humorous dynamics between protagonists and antagonists as they navigate treacherous routes in unique, specialized machines.