What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Kings of Summer
Jordan Vogt-Roberts · Film · 2013
If you loved The Kings of Summer, start with Reservation Dogs (Taika Waititi, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Kings of Summer across media.
What hooked you in The Kings of Summer was the raw, impulsive desire to redefine independence alongside your closest friends.
Books on the same thread
The Maze Runner (Book 1)
James Dashner · Book · 2014
Explores: Survival, Memory Loss, Conspiracy.
If the desperate, isolated survival of The Kings of Summer resonated with you, you will appreciate the high-stakes teamwork and frantic search for escape within this dystopian maze.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain · Book · 1994
Explores: Childhood Adventures, Mississippi River Life, Rebellion.
The Kings of Summer captures the same spirit of youthful rebellion and wanderlust found in these classic adventures, where boys test their freedom against the constraints of society.
Joyland (Hard Case Crime)
Stephen King · Book · 2013
Explores: Carnivals, First Love, Grief.
Like the summer of self-discovery in The Kings of Summer, this story uses a specific, transitional setting to explore the bittersweet intersection of grief, growth, and first love.
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Shares a thread with The Kings of Summer: Escapism.
Just as the boys in The Kings of Summer retreat into the woods to build their own world, this book illustrates the powerful, imaginative escape into autonomy.
Series on the same thread
Friends
Marta Kauffman · Series · 1994
Explores: Friendship, Relationships, Coming of Age.
If you valued the bond of male friendship in The Kings of Summer, you will recognize that same reliance on companions to navigate the pressures of independent life.
Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi · Series · 2021
Explores: Indigenous identity, small-town life, teenage friendship.
This series mirrors the teenage drive for independence seen in The Kings of Summer, focusing on a group of friends determined to escape their current circumstances together.
Skins
Bryan Elsley · Series · 2007
Explores: Teenage Angst, Friendship, Identity.
The Kings of Summer highlights the messy reality of coming of age, a theme mirrored here as a group of friends navigates the delirious highs and lows of adolescence.
Adventure Time
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Coming of Age, Existentialism.
The Kings of Summer celebrates the deep connection between friends on an escapade, a dynamic that defines the enduring, supportive bond between the heroes of this surreal adventure.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bein' Ian with Jordan
Podcast
Explores: friendship, nostalgia, youth.
If the chemistry between the friends in The Kings of Summer felt authentic, this podcast replicates that specific, intimate feeling of a lifelong friendship through conversational, nostalgic storytelling.
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
Much like the unfiltered, restless energy of the protagonists in The Kings of Summer, this long-form dialogue prioritizes raw, honest exploration and the pursuit of intellectual independence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the main premise of The Kings of Summer?
The Kings of Summer follows three restless teenagers who decide to run away from their parents to live in the woods. They build a makeshift house in a hidden clearing to test their independence and friendship while attempting to live off the land by their own rules.
Is The Kings of Summer about teenagers living on their own?
Yes, The Kings of Summer centers on three teenagers who escape their home lives to build an independent existence in the woods. The story explores the challenges they face while living off the land and the impact this isolation has on their friendship and personal freedom.
Does The Kings of Summer feature the characters building a house?
Yes, a central plot point in The Kings of Summer involves the three teenagers constructing a makeshift house in a hidden clearing. This structure serves as the primary setting for their attempt to live by their own rules and escape the influence of their parents during the summer.
How do the teenagers in The Kings of Summer survive?
In The Kings of Summer, the teenagers attempt to survive by living off the land after running away into the woods. Their journey focuses on the difficulties of maintaining their independence and the ways their makeshift lifestyle tests the strength of their friendship throughout the summer.