What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Shack
William P. Young · Book · 2007
If you loved The Shack, start with The Shack (Stuart Hazeldine, 2017) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Shack across media.
If The Shack moved you, these stories explore how individuals confront profound grief and supernatural encounters to find ultimate redemption.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Shack
Stuart Hazeldine · Film · 2017
Films on the same thread
The Shawshank Redemption
Frank Darabont · Film · 1994
Shares a thread with The Shack: redemption.
Like The Shack, this story centers on a man navigating an impossible situation, proving that hope and personal redemption can endure even in the darkest, most confined circumstances.
Knock at the Cabin
M. Night Shyamalan · Film · 2023
Explores: Moral Dilemma, Sacrifice, Faith vs. Reason.
This film mirrors the spiritual tension of The Shack by forcing characters to confront a harrowing moral dilemma that tests their faith and commitment to family under pressure.
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1980
Explores: Isolation, Madness, Family Dysfunction.
While darker in tone, this narrative shares the isolated setting found in The Shack, focusing on how intense environmental seclusion can unravel the psyche of a troubled family.
The Sixth Sense
M. Night Shyamalan · Film · 1999
Shares 2 threads with The Shack: Grief, Redemption.
Much like the journey of Mack in The Shack, this story explores the bridge between the living and the spiritual realm to help a protagonist process deep-seated grief.
Series on the same thread
The Chosen
Dallas Jenkins · Series · 2019
Shares 2 threads with The Shack: Faith, Redemption.
If you appreciated the focus on divine interaction in The Shack, this series offers a profound look at the life of Christ through the experiences of his followers.
The Good Place
Michael Schur · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Shack: Redemption.
This series takes the heavy theological questions posed in The Shack and reimagines them through a comedic lens, focusing on the difficult path toward moral improvement and personal growth.
The Virtues
Shane Meadows · Series · 2019
Shares 2 threads with The Shack: Redemption, Grief.
This drama echoes the emotional weight of The Shack, following a man who must confront the ghosts of his past to find a path toward healing and redemption.
The Leftovers
Damon Lindelof · Series · 2014
Shares 3 threads with The Shack: Grief, Loss, Faith.
This series captures the same existential questioning found in The Shack, examining how communities and individuals cope with unexplainable loss and the search for meaning in tragedy.
Podcasts on the same thread
THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Ed Mylett · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Peak performance, Growth mindset, Success habits.
While non-fiction, this show appeals to the same desire for growth found in The Shack, focusing on leadership and the personal journey toward achieving one's highest potential.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with The Shack: faith.
For those who connected with the spiritual exploration in The Shack, this podcast provides a structured, daily opportunity to deepen your own faith through consistent scriptural reflection.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Shack book or movie the best starting point?
The Shack was originally published as a book by William P. Young in 2007. The 2017 movie adaptation follows the same narrative of Mackenzie Allen Phillips returning to the Oregon wilderness after receiving a note from God. You can choose either format to experience the story of his Great Sadness.
What is the plot of The Shack?
The Shack follows Mackenzie Allen Phillips, whose daughter Missy is abducted and likely murdered. Four years later, he receives a note inviting him to the shack where evidence of the crime was found. He travels there to encounter God and confront the events surrounding his daughter's disappearance.
Should I read The Shack before watching the 2017 movie?
Reading the 2007 book by William P. Young before watching the 2017 film adaptation of The Shack allows you to compare the original narrative with the cinematic portrayal. Both versions focus on Mackenzie Allen Phillips and his emotional journey following the tragic loss of his daughter in the Oregon wilderness.
How long has it been since the original release of The Shack?
The Shack was first published as a book in 2007. This means the story of Mackenzie Allen Phillips and his return to the Oregon wilderness has been available for over fifteen years. The film adaptation of The Shack followed ten years later in 2017.