What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTo Be or Not to Be
Ernst Lubitsch · Film · 1942
If you loved To Be or Not to Be, start with 'Allo 'Allo! (David Croft, 1984) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to To Be or Not to Be across media.
If you loved To Be or Not to Be, you appreciate how razor-sharp wit and theatrical deception expose the inherent absurdity of wartime life.
Books on the same thread
Catch-22
Joseph Heller · Book · 1961
Shares a thread with To Be or Not to Be: Black Comedy.
Like the actors in To Be or Not to Be, Yossarian navigates the lethal insanity of war by using irony and bureaucratic maneuvering to survive impossible, life-threatening circumstances.
Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare, Maitman, Ian Waldron · Book · 1990
Shares a thread with To Be or Not to Be: Mistaken Identity.
The intricate web of gender disguise and mistaken identity that defines To Be or Not to Be finds its classic literary roots in this masterful comedy of errors.
The Suicide
Nikolaĭ Ėrdman · Book · 1979
Shares a thread with To Be or Not to Be: Satirical Comedy.
This satire mirrors the way To Be or Not to Be uses a high-stakes performance to highlight human folly, transforming a grim situation into a sharp, comedic commentary.
The Moon is Down
John Steinbeck · Book · 1942
Explores: Resistance, Occupation, Moral Dilemma.
While To Be or Not to Be leans into farce, this work explores the same tension of occupied life, focusing on the moral dilemmas faced under the enemy’s gaze.
Series on the same thread
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Shares 3 threads with To Be or Not to Be: World War II, Mistaken Identity, Black Comedy.
This sitcom captures the same spirit of resistance-based hilarity found in To Be or Not to Be, relying on constant, farcical misidentification to keep the enemy off balance.
M*A*S*H
Larry Gelbart · Series · 1972
Explores: Dark Humor, Existentialism, Friendship During Wartime.
Much like the troupe in To Be or Not to Be, the staff of the 4077th use dark humor and elaborate pranks as their primary defense against wartime madness.
The World at War
Series · 1973
Shares a thread with To Be or Not to Be: World War II.
To understand the reality behind the satire of To Be or Not to Be, this documentary series provides a deep, sobering look at the actual history of the conflict.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
John Irvin · Series · 1979
Shares a thread with To Be or Not to Be: Espionage.
If the spycraft elements of To Be or Not to Be caught your attention, this series offers a masterclass in the paranoia, betrayal, and deception of deep-cover espionage.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
The self-deprecating humor and focus on the art of performance in this podcast echo the comedic sensibilities that make the characters of To Be or Not to Be.
NerdCast
Jovem Nerd · Podcast
Explores: humor, satire, current events commentary.
Much like the satirical tone of To Be or Not to Be, this podcast uses humor as a lens to dissect current events and find comedy in chaos.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is To Be or Not to Be a war movie?
To Be or Not to Be is set during the Nazi occupation of Poland. It follows an acting troupe that becomes involved in a Polish soldier's mission to identify a German spy, blending the historical backdrop of the occupation with the activities of the performers.
What is the primary conflict in To Be or Not to Be?
The central conflict in To Be or Not to Be involves an acting troupe in occupied Poland. The performers find themselves drawn into a high-stakes situation as they assist a Polish soldier who is attempting to track down a German spy operating within the region.
Does To Be or Not to Be take place in Poland?
Yes, To Be or Not to Be is set in Poland during the period of the Nazi occupation. The story focuses on the experiences of an acting troupe that becomes entangled in the efforts of a Polish soldier to locate a German spy.
Who is the main target in To Be or Not to Be?
In To Be or Not to Be, the primary objective of the Polish soldier is to track down a German spy. An acting troupe becomes embroiled in this mission, assisting the soldier as they navigate the dangers of the Nazi occupation of Poland.