What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Pink Panther
Blake Edwards · Film · 1963
If you loved The Pink Panther, start with The Pink Panther 2 (Harald Zwart, 2009) — a film from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Pink Panther across media.
If you loved The Pink Panther, you likely crave the hilarious friction between bumbling investigators and the high-stakes crimes they attempt to solve.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Pink Panther 2
Harald Zwart · Film · 2009
Books on the same thread
The Castafiore Emerald
Hergé · Book · 2002
Shares a thread with The Pink Panther: Jewel theft.
Much like the chaotic investigations found in The Pink Panther, this story leans into a farce-filled comedy of errors where a jewel theft creates a delightful, claustrophobic domestic mess.
Series on the same thread
Columbo
William Link · Series · 1971
Explores: Cat and Mouse, Underestimation, Justice.
Just as Inspector Clouseau is constantly underestimated by his peers in The Pink Panther, Columbo uses a disheveled, unassuming appearance to outmaneuver suspects who overlook his sharp detective skills.
Peaky Blinders
Steven Knight · Series · 2013
Explores: Post-WWI Trauma, Ambition, Class Conflict.
While The Pink Panther focuses on comedic incompetence, this series offers a gritty exploration of criminal ambition and the complex social hierarchies that drive high-stakes capers in the underworld.
Mr. Bean
Richard Curtis · Series · 1990
Shares 2 threads with The Pink Panther: Incompetence, Slapstick Comedy.
If the physical comedy and sheer incompetence of Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther kept you laughing, you will find similar chaotic joy in these daily, disastrously misunderstood situations.
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Series · 1989
Explores: solving crimes, upper-class society, eccentric detective.
Fans of the eccentric investigator archetype seen in The Pink Panther will appreciate Poirot, whose refined intellect and unique personality allow him to unravel complex puzzles within high society.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
This podcast mirrors the dark humor and absurdity found in The Pink Panther by applying a comedic lens to the legal failures and scandalous behavior of professional athletes.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
Much like the tonal balance between crime and comedy in The Pink Panther, these hosts provide an investigative look at tragic events while injecting a necessary, sharp-witted comedic spin.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Pink Panther 2 a direct sequel to the 1963 film?
Yes, The Pink Panther 2, released in 2009, serves as an adaptation and continuation within the film series. While the 1963 original introduced the jewel heist premise, the 2009 film builds upon the established legacy of the franchise and the character of Inspector Clouseau.
What is the main plot of The Pink Panther from 1963?
The Pink Panther follows Inspector Clouseau as he travels to the Tyrolean Alps to stop a jewel thief known as The Phantom. The thief, who leaves a glove at crime scenes, targets a famous jewel called The Pink Panther, which is the film's namesake.
Should I watch The Pink Panther before watching the 2009 movie?
Watching the 1963 version of The Pink Panther first provides the necessary context for the series. Understanding the original premise involving Inspector Clouseau and the hunt for the jewel thief helps viewers appreciate the progression of the franchise leading into the 2009 film.
Who is the antagonist in The Pink Panther?
The primary antagonist in the 1963 film The Pink Panther is a renowned jewel thief known as The Phantom. He is recognized for his signature habit of leaving a glove at the scene of his crimes, which Inspector Clouseau investigates throughout the movie.