What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Tragedy of Macbeth
Joel Coen · Film · 2021
If you loved The Tragedy of Macbeth, start with Macbeth (Justin Kurzel, 2015) — a film from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Tragedy of Macbeth across media.
If The Tragedy of Macbeth gripped you, it is because you are fascinated by the corrosive, ruinous cost of unchecked political ambition.
Start with the source
The source
Macbeth
Justin Kurzel · Film · 2015
Adaptation
Throne of Blood
Akira Kurosawa · Film · 1957
Books on the same thread
Lady Macbeth
Ava Reid · Book
Shares a thread with The Tragedy of Macbeth: ambition.
This reimagining offers a deeper look at the female perspective on power dynamics, mirroring the complex manipulation that defines the central relationship in The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Series on the same thread
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
Explores: Political Intrigue, Gender Politics, Royal Court.
The Great explores the volatile nature of royal marriages and the scramble for status, capturing the same cutthroat atmosphere found within the halls of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Chernobyl
Craig Mazin · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with The Tragedy of Macbeth: Historical Drama.
While shifting to a modern catastrophe, this drama captures the same suffocating dread and moral gravity that permeates the inevitable descent into ruin seen in The Tragedy of Macbeth.
House of Cards
Beau Willimon · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with The Tragedy of Macbeth: Ambition.
Frank and Claire Underwood mirror the Macbeths in their cold, calculated climb to the top, proving that the ruthless pursuit of power remains constant across The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Explores: Power Struggles, Moral Ambiguity, War and Politics.
The sprawling conflict and moral decay in Westeros echo the bloody power struggles and internal corruption that drive the narrative arc of The Tragedy of Macbeth throughout its runtime.
Podcasts on the same thread
Here Comes The Guillotine
Podcast
Explores: social commentary, political satire, current events.
This podcast provides a modern, satirical outlet for the same cynical view of authority and political chaos that fuels the dark, brooding tone of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Mahabharat
Fever FM - HT Smartcast · Podcast
Explores: Ancient History, Indian Epic, Moral Lessons.
This epic tale of heritage and moral consequence provides a grand, historical scope that complements the heavy, fate-driven atmosphere established in the narrative of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Tragedy of Macbeth the only film adaptation of this Shakespeare play?
No, there are other notable adaptations of the source material. If you enjoyed the 2021 version, you may want to watch the 2015 film Macbeth or the 1957 film Throne of Blood, which offers a unique interpretation of the same narrative themes found in The Tragedy of Macbeth.
How does Lady Macbeth compare to the character in The Tragedy of Macbeth?
The book Lady Macbeth provides a different perspective on the narrative compared to the onscreen portrayal in The Tragedy of Macbeth. While both share the same foundational inspiration, the book explores the story through a distinct medium and literary lens that differs from Joel Coen's 2021 film adaptation.
Should I watch Throne of Blood if I liked The Tragedy of Macbeth?
Yes, Throne of Blood is a classic film adaptation that covers the same plot as The Tragedy of Macbeth. Watching it allows you to see how different directors interpret the story of a man who murders his king to take the throne after receiving a prophecy from witches.
Are there other versions of The Tragedy of Macbeth that follow the same plot?
Yes, both the 2015 Macbeth film and the 1957 movie Throne of Blood utilize the same source material as The Tragedy of Macbeth. Each film depicts the central story of a Thane who is consumed by ambition and spurred by his wife to commit regicide.