What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Upside
Neil Burger · Film · 2019
If you loved The Upside, start with The Intouchables (2011) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Upside across media.
What hooked you in The Upside was the way an unlikely, transformative bond between two disparate people helps them find redemption.
Start with the source
The source
The Intouchables
Film · 2011
Books on the same thread
Upside Down
Danielle Steel · Book
Explores: mother-daughter relationships, romantic disillusionment, emotional support.
Just as The Upside explores the healing power of an unexpected connection, this story shows how two women find emotional support and renewal through their shared vulnerability.
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes · Book · 2012
Explores: Disability, Right to Die, Social Class Differences.
If you valued the tender, life-changing friendship in The Upside, you will be moved by this exploration of a caretaker and patient navigating a profound, challenging bond.
The Maid: A Novel
Nita Prose · Book · 2022
Explores: Neurodiversity, Social Awkwardness, Found Family.
Much like the heartwarming dynamic in The Upside, this story centers on a unique protagonist who finds a sense of belonging through an unexpected and supportive found family.
The Help
Kathryn Stockett · Book · 2009
Explores: Race Relations, Civil Rights Movement, Female Friendship.
Fans of The Upside will appreciate how this narrative bridges vast social divides to highlight the strength and intimacy of friendships formed against a backdrop of systemic barriers.
Series on the same thread
The Good Doctor
David Shore · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with The Upside: Disability Representation.
The Upside highlights the beauty of bridging different perspectives, a theme mirrored here as a brilliant individual works to integrate into a new, demanding professional and social environment.
Upright
Matthew Saville · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with The Upside: Redemption.
This journey mirrors the redemptive road trip elements of The Upside, showing how an accidental pairing of two dysfunctional lives leads to mutual growth and personal healing.
The Odd Couple
Garry Marshall · Series · 1970
Shares a thread with The Upside: Buddy Comedy.
If you enjoyed the clashing personalities that eventually find common ground in The Upside, you will recognize that same classic comedic tension in this iconic roommate pairing.
Atypical
Robia Rashid · Series · 2017
Shares a thread with The Upside: Disability Representation.
Similar to the journey of self-discovery found in The Upside, this story tracks a young man navigating life’s complexities while finding his own path to independence and connection.
Podcasts on the same thread
VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash
VIEWS · Podcast · 2026
Explores: internet fame, parasocial relationships, candid storytelling.
Those drawn to the authentic, candid rapport between the leads of The Upside will find a similar sense of unfiltered, conversational chemistry between these two distinct personalities.
Common Man
Podcast
Explores: Positivity, Encouragement, Personal Development.
The Upside demonstrates how one person can inspire another to change, a core principle reflected here in the focus on personal growth, positive encouragement, and human potential.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Upside based on a true story or another film?
The Upside is a 2019 remake of the 2011 French film titled The Intouchables. Both movies follow the story of a wealthy man with quadriplegia who hires a struggling parolee as his caretaker, leading to the development of an unlikely friendship between the two men from different worlds.
Should I watch The Intouchables if I enjoyed The Upside?
Yes, you should watch The Intouchables if you enjoyed The Upside. Since The Upside is an adaptation of the 2011 original, watching the source material allows you to see how the story was originally presented while comparing the narrative developments of the two versions of this specific friendship.
What is the premise of The Upside?
The Upside tells the story of Phillip, a wealthy man living with quadriplegia in a New York penthouse. He hires Dell, a parolee attempting to reconnect with his family, to assist with his daily routine. Despite their different backgrounds, the two men form an unexpected and meaningful bond.
Is The Upside a standalone film or part of a series?
The Upside is a standalone film released in 2019. While it is an adaptation of the 2011 movie The Intouchables, there are no sequels or additional films in this specific series that continue the story of Phillip and Dell beyond their initial meeting and friendship.