What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2017
If you loved The Shape of Water, start with The Daughter of Doctor Moreau (Silvia Moreno-Garcia) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Shape of Water across media.
You were drawn to The Shape of Water because you find beauty in the unconventional bonds that defy societal expectations and boundaries.
Books on the same thread
The Phantom of the Opera
Gaston Leroux · Book · 1977
Explores: obsession, unrequited love, beauty vs. ugliness.
If The Shape of Water moved you with its exploration of beauty and ugliness, you will appreciate this gothic classic that centers on an intense, unconventional romantic obsession.
The Daughter of Doctor Moreau
Silvia Moreno-Garcia · Book
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: forbidden love.
Mirroring the mad science and forbidden connections found in The Shape of Water, this reimagining highlights how dangerous secrets and scientific experiments complicate the lives of those involved.
Water for Elephants: A Novel
Sara Gruen · Book · 2011
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Forbidden Love.
This story echoes the forbidden love found in The Shape of Water, focusing on the profound emotional connection that develops between outsiders living on the fringes of society.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood · Book · 2017
Explores: Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism, Gender Inequality.
Like The Shape of Water, this narrative examines the struggle against oppressive systems and the dehumanization that occurs when those in power fear what they cannot control.
Series on the same thread
The Handmaid's Tale
Bruce Miller · Series · 2017
Explores: Oppression, Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism.
Fans of The Shape of Water will recognize the tension of navigating a rigid, totalitarian world where personal agency is threatened by those enforcing a cruel social order.
What We Do in the Shadows
Jemaine Clement · Series · 2019
Explores: Vampire Life, Fish-out-of-Water, Supernatural Roommates.
While lighter in tone, this mockumentary captures the fish-out-of-water sentiment present in The Shape of Water by focusing on the domestic lives of supernatural beings hidden from society.
Goblin
Kim Eun-sook · Series · 2016
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Forbidden Love.
This drama shares the core of The Shape of Water, highlighting how a fated, forbidden connection between two vastly different beings can transcend the constraints of time.
Outlander
Ronald D. Moore · Series · 2014
Shares a thread with The Shape of Water: Forbidden Love.
Just as the protagonists in The Shape of Water find solace in each other, this series centers on a profound, forbidden romance that defies the conventions of its era.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Truth
The Truth · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, experimental storytelling, moral ambiguity.
These cinematic stories capture the same sense of wonder and moral ambiguity that defined The Shape of Water, offering intimate glimpses into lives shaped by the extraordinary.
The White Vault
Fool and Scholar Productions · Podcast · 2026
If you were captivated by the creature-focused mystery in The Shape of Water, you will find a similar sense of dread and discovery within this isolated, atmospheric investigation.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Shape of Water a romance movie?
Yes, The Shape of Water focuses on the romantic relationship between a mute cleaning woman and an amphibious creature. The story centers on their bond as she attempts to rescue him from the government facility where he is being held captive.
What is the premise of The Shape of Water?
The Shape of Water depicts a mute cleaning woman who works at a high-security government laboratory. She discovers an amphibious creature being held in the facility and develops a deep, emotional connection with him while working to secure his freedom.
Who directed The Shape of Water?
The Shape of Water was directed by Guillermo del Toro and released in 2017. The film explores the unique connection between a mute woman and a captured amphibious creature within the setting of a secret research facility.
Does The Shape of Water involve a creature?
Yes, a central element of The Shape of Water is the amphibious creature being held at the facility where the protagonist works. The narrative follows the developing relationship between the woman and the creature throughout the duration of the film.