What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Shrinking Man
Richard Matheson · Book · 2014
If you loved The Shrinking Man, start with The Incredible Shrinking Man (Jack Arnold, 1957) — a film from the same story. Below: 1 film, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Shrinking Man across media.
What hooked you in The Shrinking Man was the way a singular, impossible transformation forces you to confront your own existential isolation.
Start with the source
Adaptation
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Jack Arnold · Film · 1957
Films on the same thread
The Incredible Shrinking Man
Jack Arnold · Film · 1957
Shares 3 threads with The Shrinking Man: Existentialism, Man vs. Nature, Loss of Identity.
If you appreciated the visceral struggle against nature in The Shrinking Man, this film provides the definitive visual companion, capturing the same terrifying descent into a world grown hostile.
Series on the same thread
The Outer Limits
Leslie Stevens · Series · 1963
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Existential Dread, Technological Anxiety.
Much like the philosophical tension found in The Shrinking Man, this anthology series uses speculative premises to explore the fragile nature of humanity when faced with the unknown.
The Twilight Zone
Rod Serling · Series · 1959
Shares a thread with The Shrinking Man: Existentialism.
The Shrinking Man shares a deep preoccupation with existential dread and moral dilemmas, which are the hallmarks of these unsettling stories that challenge your perception of reality.
The Leftovers
Damon Lindelof · Series · 2014
Explores: Grief, Loss, Faith.
If the profound sense of loss and identity crisis in The Shrinking Man resonated with you, this drama offers a similarly haunting examination of how individuals navigate sudden, inexplicable life-altering events.
Red Dwarf
Doug Naylor · Series · 1988
Shares a thread with The Shrinking Man: Existentialism.
While tonally distinct from The Shrinking Man, this series masterfully uses the premise of ultimate isolation to explore the existential absurdity of being the last human left in existence.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Shrink Next Door
Audible | Bloomberg · Podcast · 2026
The Shrinking Man examines the erosion of the self, and this investigative podcast mirrors that psychological intensity by peeling back the layers of a manipulative, identity-consuming power dynamic.
Hidden Brain
Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cognitive bias, human behavior, interpersonal dynamics.
If you were drawn to the psychological scrutiny of Scott Carey in The Shrinking Man, this podcast provides the scientific framework to understand the complex human behaviors that define us.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Shrinking Man based on a book?
Yes, The Shrinking Man is a novel written by Richard Matheson and published in 2014. The story follows Scott Carey, a man who begins to shrink after exposure to a radioactive spray while on a boating holiday, leading to a struggle for survival as his size diminishes.
Is there a movie version of The Shrinking Man?
Yes, the 1957 movie titled The Incredible Shrinking Man is an adaptation of Richard Matheson's novel. The film portrays the same core premise of a man who faces a shrinking body and the resulting challenges following his exposure to a mysterious radioactive cloud.
What happens to Scott Carey in The Shrinking Man?
In The Shrinking Man, Scott Carey is exposed to a radioactive spray during a boating trip. Following this event, he undergoes medical examinations that confirm he is losing weight and decreasing in height. The novel follows his journey as he deals with the consequences of his shrinking condition.
Should I read The Shrinking Man before watching the movie?
You can choose either order to experience the story. Both the 2014 novel The Shrinking Man by Richard Matheson and the 1957 adaptation The Incredible Shrinking Man explore the scientific and personal implications of a man steadily losing his physical stature due to a radioactive accident.