What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Jungle Book
Jon Favreau · Film · 2016
If you loved The Jungle Book, start with The Jungle Book: The Adventures of Mowgli (Kimio Yabuki, 1989) — a series from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Jungle Book across media.
What hooked you in The Jungle Book is the primal bond between unlikely companions navigating a dangerous, expansive, and unforgiving wild world.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Jungle Book: The Adventures of Mowgli
Kimio Yabuki · Series · 1989
Adaptation
The Jungle Book 2
Steve Trenbirth · Film · 2003
Books on the same thread
The Second Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling · Book · 1992
Shares a thread with The Jungle Book: Coming-of-Age Story.
If you enjoyed the immersive jungle setting of The Jungle Book, you will appreciate these original stories that further explore the complex laws and personalities governing the animal kingdom.
Series on the same thread
The Mandalorian
Jon Favreau · Series · 2019
Explores: Lone Gunfighter, Redemption, Protecting the Innocent.
Like the protective dynamic between Mowgli and his mentors in The Jungle Book, this series centers on a rugged figure finding redemption through the duty of shielding an innocent ward.
Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2019
Explores: Survival, Unlikely friendship, Human-animal bond.
This series mirrors the visceral struggle for survival found in The Jungle Book, focusing on the profound, silent friendship forged between two creatures navigating a hostile and perilous environment.
Planet Earth II
Series · 2016
Explores: Survival, Animal Behavior, Natural Wonders.
Fans of the majestic animal encounters in The Jungle Book will be captivated by this documentary, which showcases the real-world behavioral adaptations required to survive in nature's most iconic habitats.
Hunter x Hunter
Series · 2011
Shares 2 threads with The Jungle Book: self-discovery, friendship.
Much like Mowgli’s journey of self-discovery in The Jungle Book, this adventure follows a young protagonist navigating a challenging world to uncover his identity and overcome significant personal adversity.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Wood From The Trees
Podcast
Explores: mindfulness, well-being, introspection.
This podcast explores the internal growth and mindfulness themes present in The Jungle Book, offering a reflective space for listeners to focus on their own path toward personal development.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This series captures the spirit of high adventure found in The Jungle Book through its emphasis on group dynamics and the unpredictable, imaginative journey of companions facing constant danger.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Jungle Book 2 a direct continuation of the 2016 movie?
The Jungle Book 2 is not a direct sequel to the 2016 live-action film directed by Jon Favreau. It was released in 2003 as a separate production, whereas the 2016 version focuses on Mowgli's journey of self-discovery while fleeing from Shere Khan.
How does the 2017 book version of The Jungle Book compare to the 2016 movie?
The 2017 book version serves as source material for the story of Mowgli, the man-cub fostered by wolves. While the 2016 movie depicts his journey with Bagheera and Baloo after fleeing Shere Khan, the book provides the original literary narrative of his life in the jungle.
What order should I watch The Jungle Book adaptations in?
There is no official chronological order for these adaptations as they represent different interpretations of the source material. You can watch the 1989 television series The Jungle Book: The Adventures of Mowgli, the 2003 film The Jungle Book 2, or the 2016 movie independently.
Is The Jungle Book: The Adventures of Mowgli based on the same story as the 2016 film?
Yes, both The Jungle Book: The Adventures of Mowgli and the 2016 film are adaptations of the same core story. Each version explores the life of Mowgli, the man-cub raised by wolves, and his interactions with characters like Bagheera, Baloo, and the tiger Shere Khan.