What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThor: Ragnarok
Taika Waititi · Film · 2017
If you loved Thor: Ragnarok, start with Thor (Kenneth Branagh, 2011) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Thor: Ragnarok across media.
You loved Thor: Ragnarok because it masterfully balances high-stakes cosmic chaos with a sharp, irreverent sense of humor and heart.
Start with the source
The source
Thor
Kenneth Branagh · Film · 2011
Adaptation
Thor: The Dark World
Alan Taylor · Film · 2013
Adaptation
Thor: Love and Thunder
Film · 2022
Books on the same thread
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Explores: Child Soldiers, Alien Invasion, Moral Ambiguity.
If Thor: Ragnarok captured your interest with its cosmic threat, you will appreciate how this story forces a hero to face an alien invasion against impossible odds.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Courage, The Hero's Journey.
Much like the perilous journey across the universe in Thor: Ragnarok, this classic quest features a reluctant hero navigating high-stakes adventure and grand, mythic challenges.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Book · 1979
Shares a thread with Thor: Ragnarok: Space Opera.
This story shares the vibrant, absurd cosmic adventure energy of Thor: Ragnarok, proving that the destruction of one's home can be just as funny as it is catastrophic.
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir · Book · 2021
Explores: Amnesia, Planetary Survival, Xenobiology.
The desperate struggle for survival against a cosmic threat found in Thor: Ragnarok resonates here, as a lone protagonist faces an interstellar challenge to save humanity.
Series on the same thread
Loki
Michael Waldron · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Thor: Ragnarok: Redemption.
Fans of the sibling rivalry and themes of destiny in Thor: Ragnarok will enjoy this deeper dive into the complex motivations and redemption arc of the trickster god.
Rick and Morty
Dan Harmon · Series · 2013
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Existentialism, Dark Humor.
If the chaotic, interdimensional humor of Thor: Ragnarok was your favorite element, you will enjoy these cynical, fast-paced adventures through the vast, unpredictable reaches of space.
Reservation Dogs
Taika Waititi · Series · 2021
Explores: Indigenous identity, small-town life, teenage friendship.
This series captures the specific directorial voice of Taika Waititi seen in Thor: Ragnarok, blending heartfelt character dynamics with a distinct, witty, and grounded sense of humor.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, unfiltered dialogue, lifestyle exploration.
The unfiltered, conversational style here mirrors the spontaneous, comedic chemistry between characters that made the dialogue in Thor: Ragnarok feel so fresh and engaging to watch.
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This actual play podcast echoes the irreverent tone and group-driven high fantasy adventure found in Thor: Ragnarok, prioritizing improvised humor alongside epic, world-saving stakes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the movies to understand Thor: Ragnarok?
To follow the narrative arc, you should watch Thor released in 2011 and Thor: The Dark World released in 2013 before viewing Thor: Ragnarok. These films establish the history of Asgard and the status of the characters prior to the events depicted in the 2017 movie.
Is Thor: Ragnarok the final film in the series?
No, Thor: Ragnarok is not the final film. The story continues in the 2022 movie titled Thor: Love and Thunder. While Thor: Ragnarok focuses on the threat of Hela and the destruction of Asgard, the franchise narrative expands further in the subsequent installment.
Does Thor: Ragnarok follow the events of Thor: The Dark World?
Yes, Thor: Ragnarok serves as a sequel to Thor: The Dark World. The plot follows Thor as he faces a new threat, Hela, and attempts to prevent the destruction of his home-world, building upon the established history of the Asgardian civilization from the previous two films.
Should I watch the earlier Thor movies before Thor: Ragnarok?
Watching the 2011 Thor and 2013 Thor: The Dark World provides necessary context for the characters and setting found in Thor: Ragnarok. Understanding the previous conflicts involving Asgard helps clarify the stakes when Thor faces the ruthless Hela in the 2017 film.