What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe House of the Spirits
Francisca Alegría · Series · 2026
If you loved The House of the Spirits, start with The House of the Spirits (Bille August, 1993) — a film from the same story. Below: 3 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to The House of the Spirits across media.
What hooked you in The House of the Spirits was the way sprawling, violent historical change shapes the intimate lives of families.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The House of the Spirits
Bille August · Film · 1993
Books on the same thread
Portrait in Sepia
Isabel Allende · Book · 2020
Explores: intergenerational trauma, memory and identity, patriarchal power structures.
Like The House of the Spirits, this saga masterfully weaves the weight of intergenerational trauma and hidden family secrets into a rich, sweeping portrait of a changing society.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Gabriel García Márquez · Book · 1967
Shares a thread with The House of the Spirits: generational trauma.
If you were captivated by the dynastic legacy in The House of the Spirits, this epic mirrors that same obsession with fate, political corruption, and generational cycles.
Ines of My Soul
Isabel Allende · Book · 2020
Explores: Conquistador history, Female agency in patriarchal society, Frontier survival.
Fans of The House of the Spirits will recognize the author's signature focus on female agency and forbidden romance set against the backdrop of monumental historical upheaval.
Films on the same thread
"Wuthering Heights"
Emerald Fennell · Film · 2026
Shares a thread with The House of the Spirits: generational trauma.
The destructive obsessions and class conflicts depicted here echo the intense emotional volatility and generational trauma that define the central relationships in The House of the Spirits.
The Housemaid
Paul Feig · Film · 2025
Explores: Class Conflict, Gaslighting, Identity Theft.
This domestic thriller captures the same dangerous power dynamics and class tension found in The House of the Spirits, escalating personal secrets into a high-stakes psychological game.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Olivia Newman · Film · 2026
Explores: Grief and healing, Intergenerational friendship, Hidden secrets.
This narrative mirrors the way The House of the Spirits uses hidden secrets to bridge the gap between past and present, focusing on how personal history shapes lives.
Is God Is
Aleshea Harris · Film · 2026
Shares a thread with The House of the Spirits: generational trauma.
Much like the revolutionary upheaval in The House of the Spirits, this story centers on the brutal, inescapable weight of blood feuds and a charged family history.
Podcasts on the same thread
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Justice system flaws, Legal ambiguity, Deep-dive reporting.
The investigative rigor here reflects the same commitment to exposing the flaws of a system that you saw unraveling the family structure in The House of the Spirits.
Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Authoritarianism, Domestic Espionage, Threats to Democracy.
This exploration of political corruption and authoritarianism mirrors the way The House of the Spirits portrays a nation's descent into chaos and the resulting impact on individuals.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The House of the Spirits a movie or a television series?
The House of the Spirits exists in multiple formats. There is a 1993 movie adaptation, and a television series version directed by Francisca Alegría was released in 2026. Both explore the multi-generational saga of the Trueba family.
What is the 2026 version of The House of the Spirits about?
The 2026 television series of The House of the Spirits depicts the Trueba family across a century of social change. It focuses on the clash between a tyrannical patriarch and his granddaughter as they find themselves on opposite sides during a violent revolution.
Should I watch the 1993 movie or the 2026 series of The House of the Spirits first?
The choice between the 1993 movie and the 2026 series of The House of the Spirits depends on your preference for film or television. Both adaptations cover the same foundational story of secret loves and family struggles set against a backdrop of political upheaval.
Does The House of the Spirits cover the history of the Trueba family?
Yes, The House of the Spirits chronicles the epic tale of the Trueba family. The narrative spans a century, detailing their passions, secrets, and struggles as they navigate the transition from a proud, private life to the turmoil of a bloody revolution.