What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Pursuit of Unhappiness
Daniel M. Haybron · Book · 2008
If you loved The Pursuit of Unhappiness, start with The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos (Pushkin Industries, 2026) — a podcast on the same thread. Below: 2 films, 4 series and 1 podcast, each matched to The Pursuit of Unhappiness across media.
If you enjoyed the way The Pursuit of Unhappiness questions our flawed internal pursuit of satisfaction, these selections continue that exploration.
Films on the same thread
The Pursuit of Happyness
Gabriele Muccino · Film · 2006
Explores: Poverty, Single Fatherhood, Homelessness.
While The Pursuit of Unhappiness analyzes the philosophy of well-being, this film provides a visceral look at the tangible obstacles that make the pursuit of happiness a difficult reality.
Happy-Go-Lucky
Mike Leigh · Film · 2008
Explores: optimism vs. cynicism, existential crisis, finding joy.
Much like the psychological inquiry in The Pursuit of Unhappiness, this character study contrasts the internal experience of joy with the external reactions of a cynical, skeptical world.
Series on the same thread
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Pursuit of Unhappiness: Ethics.
This series mirrors the ethical focus of The Pursuit of Unhappiness by examining how our personal moral choices and self-deception dictate our ultimate potential for a good life.
How to Change Your Mind
Michael Pollan · Series · 2022
Explores: Psychedelics, Mental Health, Self-Discovery.
This documentary investigates the malleability of the human mind, echoing the themes of self-perception and cognitive limitations central to the arguments found in The Pursuit of Unhappiness.
Pluribus
Vince Gilligan · Series · 2025
Explores: Existential dread, The cost of happiness, Reluctant hero.
This satirical take on the cost of happiness directly engages with the skepticism toward modern happiness-seeking behavior that Daniel Haybron outlines in The Pursuit of Unhappiness.
BoJack Horseman
Raphael Bob-Waksberg · Series · 2014
Explores: Existentialism, Depression, Celebrity Culture.
This show explores the existential failures of its protagonist, providing a dark, comedic counterpart to the rigorous philosophical study of human well-being presented in The Pursuit of Unhappiness.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Pushkin Industries · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Pursuit of Unhappiness: Subjective well-being.
This podcast serves as a practical companion to The Pursuit of Unhappiness, applying empirical research to the cognitive biases that often prevent us from achieving genuine subjective well-being.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Pursuit of Unhappiness a psychological or philosophical work?
The Pursuit of Unhappiness is a philosophical treatment of happiness. It specifically examines happiness through the lens of contemporary psychology, analyzing how effectively people can judge and promote their own welfare, rather than relying on common beliefs about the pursuit of happiness.
What is the central argument of The Pursuit of Unhappiness?
The central argument of The Pursuit of Unhappiness is that people are generally ineffective at judging and promoting their own welfare. Daniel M. Haybron explores the idea that despite the modern era defining itself by the pursuit of happiness, individuals may not be very good at achieving it.
Who is the author of The Pursuit of Unhappiness?
The Pursuit of Unhappiness was written by Daniel M. Haybron. Published in 2008, the book provides a comprehensive philosophical examination of happiness, challenging the effectiveness of modern efforts to pursue personal welfare and questioning if people are truly capable of accurately assessing their own well-being.
What does The Pursuit of Unhappiness explore regarding human welfare?
The Pursuit of Unhappiness explores the disconnect between the modern obsession with pursuing happiness and our actual ability to achieve it. It investigates whether individuals are capable of accurately judging their own welfare, suggesting that common beliefs about self-promotion may be misguided based on psychological research.