What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Intern
Nancy Meyers · Film · 2015
If you loved The Intern, start with Hacks (Lucia Aniello, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Intern across media.
What hooked you in The Intern is the way intergenerational partnerships bridge the gap between seasoned wisdom and modern ambition.
Books on the same thread
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Sheryl Sandberg · Book · 2013
Explores: Gender equality, Workplace dynamics, Female empowerment.
If the female entrepreneurship and leadership dynamics in The Intern resonated with you, this manifesto provides the real-world blueprint for the professional challenges Jules Ostin faced while growing her company.
The Female Persuasion
Meg Wolitzer · Book · 2018
Shares 2 threads with The Intern: Mentorship, Intergenerational Relationships.
The complex mentorship between an older professional and a younger woman in this novel perfectly mirrors the poignant, evolving relationship between Ben and Jules found in The Intern.
Steve Jobs
Walter Isaacson · Book · 2011
Explores: Innovation, Leadership, Silicon Valley.
For those fascinated by the high-stakes startup environment of The Intern, this biography offers a deeper, more intense look at the perfectionism and innovation driving Silicon Valley industry leaders.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece
Tom Hanks · Book
Explores: creative process, interconnected narratives, historical influence.
Much like the behind-the-scenes look at a modern business in The Intern, this story explores the creative process and the interconnected nature of work within the entertainment industry.
Series on the same thread
The Office
Greg Daniels · Series · 2005
Shares a thread with The Intern: Workplace Comedy.
If you enjoyed the workplace comedy elements of The Intern, you will appreciate how this show captures the relatable, often eccentric dynamics of office life and everyday professional interactions.
Hacks
Lucia Aniello · Series · 2021
Shares 2 threads with The Intern: Mentorship, Workplace Comedy.
This show sharpens the mentorship theme from The Intern by exploring the friction and eventual bond between a legendary industry veteran and an ambitious, younger protégé in comedy.
Superstore
Justin Spitzer · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with The Intern: Workplace Comedy.
Like the diverse team at Jules's company in The Intern, this series highlights the camaraderie and unique bonds formed among employees navigating the daily grind of a busy workplace.
The Golden Girls
Susan Harris · Series · 1985
Shares a thread with The Intern: Intergenerational Relationships.
You will find the same warmth and focus on life after retirement that made Ben’s character in The Intern so endearing, centered here on the enduring power of friendship.
Podcasts on the same thread
Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Podcast · 2026
Shares 2 threads with The Intern: intergenerational relationships, mentorship.
This podcast echoes the intergenerational wisdom found in The Intern by facilitating honest, personal conversations with older women who offer the kind of perspective Ben Whittaker brought to his workplace.
boomer and zoomer
Podcast
Shares a thread with The Intern: intergenerational relationships.
This podcast explores the same intergenerational dynamic and age gap that defined the relationship between Ben and Jules in The Intern, but within the context of a family connection.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Intern based on a true story?
The Intern is not based on a true story. The film is a fictional story written and directed by Nancy Meyers about a 70-year-old widower named Ben Whittaker who decides to re-enter the workforce as a senior intern at an online fashion site.
What is the premise of The Intern?
The Intern follows 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker, who discovers retirement is not satisfying. He seizes an opportunity to return to work by becoming a senior intern at an online fashion site founded and run by Jules Ostin, allowing him to get back in the game.
Who is the main character in The Intern?
The Intern centers on two main characters. Ben Whittaker is a 70-year-old widower seeking to return to the workforce, and Jules Ostin is the founder and leader of the online fashion site where Ben begins his new role as a senior intern.
What does Ben Whittaker do in The Intern?
In The Intern, Ben Whittaker is a 70-year-old widower who finds retirement unfulfilling. He decides to get back in the game by accepting a position as a senior intern at an online fashion site that is founded and managed by a woman named Jules Ostin.