What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Nut Job
Peter Lepeniotis · Film · 2014
If you loved The Nut Job, start with The Penguins of Madagascar (Eric Darnell, 2008) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Nut Job across media.
What hooked you in The Nut Job was the way unlikely groups of animals band together to execute high-stakes, comedic capers.
Books on the same thread
Little Blue Truck
Alice Schertle · Book · 2014
Explores: Friendship, Community, Helping Others.
If you enjoyed the communal spirit of The Nut Job, you will appreciate how this story emphasizes the vital importance of teamwork and helping others when the going gets tough.
Curious George
Hans Augusto Rey and Margret Rey · Book · 1941
Explores: Curiosity, Mischief, Friendship.
Just as Surly finds himself in over his head, this tale captures the same spirit of mischievous adventure and friendship that drives the central narrative of The Nut Job.
The Bad Guys
Aaron Blabey · Book
Shares 2 threads with The Nut Job: Redemption, Heist comedy.
This graphic novel perfects the heist comedy format found in The Nut Job, featuring a crew of tough animals who lean into redemption and subvert expectations through their clever schemes.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Shares a thread with The Nut Job: Greed.
The Nut Job mirrors this classic journey, where a reluctant protagonist must overcome his own desires for greed to work alongside a company on a high-stakes, perilous quest.
Series on the same thread
The Penguins of Madagascar
Eric Darnell · Series · 2008
Shares a thread with The Nut Job: Teamwork.
Fans of The Nut Job will recognize the same dynamic of animal teamwork and secret missions, as these characters navigate the challenges of their environment through constant, hilarious antics.
Regular Show
J.G. Quintel · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Escapism, Nostalgia.
The surreal, park-based misadventures of these two friends echo the humorous survival struggles found in The Nut Job, grounding the comedy in the bond between unlikely companions.
Shaun the Sheep
Richard Starzak · Series · 2007
Explores: Anthropomorphism, Mischief, Animal Antics.
Much like the antics in The Nut Job, this series follows anthropomorphic animals whose attempts to navigate their surroundings lead to constant mischief and a need for coordinated teamwork.
Podcasts on the same thread
NerdCast
Jovem Nerd · Podcast
Explores: humor, satire, current events commentary.
Those who appreciate the comedic tone of The Nut Job will find a similar sense of humor and satirical energy within this engaging, character-driven podcast commentary.
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
This podcast delivers the same cinematic, story-driven excitement found in The Nut Job, offering a variety of high-concept narratives that explore unique worlds and complex, evolving character dynamics.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the premise of The Nut Job?
The Nut Job follows Surly, an independent squirrel who is banished from his park and must survive in the city. He eventually discovers Maury's Nut Store, which provides a potential way for him and the rest of the park community to survive the upcoming winter.
Why is Surly banished in The Nut Job?
In The Nut Job, Surly is a curmudgeon who is banished from his park. This forced exile leaves him to navigate the challenges of the city alone until he happens upon Maury's Nut Store, which becomes central to the survival of his community.
Is The Nut Job set in the city or the park?
While the story begins in a park, the majority of The Nut Job takes place in the city. After Surly is banished from his home, he must adapt to urban life and eventually locates Maury's Nut Store to help the park animals prepare for winter.
Who directed The Nut Job?
The Nut Job is a 2014 animated film directed by Peter Lepeniotis. The story centers on a squirrel named Surly who discovers a nut store that could save his community from starvation during the difficult winter months.