What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe King
David Michôd · Film · 2019
If you loved The King, start with Henry V (Kenneth Branagh, 1989) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The King across media.
What hooked you in The King is the crushing weight of leadership and the moral compromises required to sustain an empire.
Start with the source
The source
Henry V
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 1989
Adaptation
Chimes at Midnight
Orson Welles · Film · 1965
Adaptation
My Own Private Idaho
Film · 1991
Books on the same thread
King Lear
William Shakespeare · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with The King: Historical Drama.
If you appreciated the Shakespearean gravity of The King, you will find the same raw exploration of power and familial betrayal in this seminal tragedy of a crumbling kingdom.
Shakespeare's History of King Henry the Eighth
William Shakespeare · Book · 2015
Shares a thread with The King: Historical Drama.
This foundational text echoes the court intrigue and political maneuvering found in The King, offering a deeper look at the heavy burden of the crown and royal succession.
The Winter King
Bernard Cornwell · Book · 1997
Explores: Post-Roman Britain, Warrior Culture, Religious Conflict.
Like The King, this story strips away romanticized myths to reveal the gritty, brutal reality of medieval warfare and the complex loyalties required to survive in a volatile era.
King Rat
James Clavell · Book · 2019
Shares a thread with The King: Moral Ambiguity.
The moral ambiguity and internal hierarchies of The King are mirrored in this intense examination of survival, corruption, and power dynamics within the confines of a prisoner camp.
Series on the same thread
The Hollow Crown
Series · 2012
Shares 3 threads with The King: Political Intrigue, Historical Drama, Shakespearean Adaptation.
As a direct continuation of the Shakespearean history plays that inspired The King, this series provides the essential context for the complex power struggles and kingship you enjoyed.
The Last Kingdom
Stephen Butchard · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with The King: political intrigue, Historical Drama.
You will recognize the same themes of identity and duty amidst epic battles seen in The King, as this series masterfully balances personal character growth with historical political conflict.
The Crown
Peter Morgan · Series · 2016
Shares 3 threads with The King: Political Intrigue, Duty vs. Desire, Historical Drama.
If the burden of power in The King captivated you, this series offers a modern, intimate look at the inescapable pressures of duty and legacy within the British monarchy.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The King examines the shaping of historical identity; this podcast provides a critical analysis of the foundational forces that continue to define the power structures of our modern world.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The King: moral ambiguity.
The moral ambiguity and the consequences of wielding power that define The King are explored here through a rigorous, long-form analysis of historical figures and the nature of rule.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The King based on the same source material as the 1989 Henry V movie?
Yes, both The King and the 1989 film Henry V draw from the same historical events and literature regarding the life of the English monarch. While The King offers a modern interpretation of the prince's rise, the 1989 version provides a different cinematic perspective on the same source material.
Should I watch Chimes at Midnight after finishing The King?
If you enjoyed the historical themes in The King, Chimes at Midnight is a relevant watch. It serves as a classic adaptation that explores the same period of English history. Watching it provides a different directorial approach to the narrative arc of the prince who eventually becomes the king.
Does My Own Private Idaho share themes with The King?
While My Own Private Idaho is a distinct work, it is often associated with the same creative lineage as The King due to its thematic focus on identity and displacement. Fans of The King may appreciate how these films explore the journey of a young man navigating his status.
What is the best order to watch adaptations like The King and Henry V?
There is no required viewing order for these films. You can watch The King first to establish your interest in the 15th-century setting, then view Henry V or Chimes at Midnight to see how different filmmakers have interpreted the same historical figure and his transition into a royal leader.