What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedUnderground
Joe Pokaski · Series · 2016
If you loved Underground, start with Underground (Emir Kusturica, 1995) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Underground across media.
What hooked you in Underground was the way it transforms harrowing historical survival into a high-stakes, breathless journey toward freedom.
Start with the source
The source
Underground
Emir Kusturica · Film · 1995
Books on the same thread
Burn Down Master's House
Clay Cane · Book
Explores: Slavery, Civil disobedience, Systemic oppression.
If the resistance tactics in Underground kept you gripped, this exploration of systemic defiance offers a deep dive into the historical agency that fueled those daring escape attempts.
Master Slave Husband Wife
Ilyon Woo · Book
Explores: daring escape, racial identity, human resilience.
Like the escape plan in Underground, this narrative captures the ingenious bravery required to outsmart captors and the relentless pursuit of liberty against seemingly impossible odds.
Washington Black
Esi Edugyan · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with Underground: Freedom.
If you valued the character-driven struggle for autonomy in Underground, you will connect with this story of a man navigating a world that denies his humanity.
A Resistance History of the United States
Tad Stoermer · Book · 2026
Explores: civil disobedience, systemic oppression, grassroots movements.
The Underground Railroad portrayed in Underground is just one chapter of this broader examination of how grassroots movements and civil disobedience have consistently challenged systemic oppression.
Films on the same thread
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Shares 2 threads with Underground: Survival, Historical Drama.
Those who felt the visceral tension of the plantation escape in Underground will recognize the same fight for dignity and survival in this harrowing biographical account.
Emancipation
Antoine Fuqua · Film · 2022
Shares 2 threads with Underground: Historical Drama, Slavery Drama.
Much like the perilous journey depicted in Underground, this film focuses on the brutal reality of the fight for freedom and the endurance required to reunite with family.
Hidden Figures
Film · 2016
Shares a thread with Underground: Period Piece.
If you appreciated the way Underground highlights the unsung heroes of history, you will admire how these women navigated systemic barriers to change the course of their operations.
Harriet
Kasi Lemmons · Film · 2019
Explores: Female Empowerment, Resilience, Courage Under Pressure.
This film mirrors the intense courage and leadership found in Underground, showcasing the transformation of a single individual into a pivotal force for liberation and systemic change.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
The foundation for the struggles seen in Underground is laid bare in this series, which examines the deep-seated origins and enduring legacy of slavery within American society.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
If the investigative intensity of Underground kept you engaged, this series will satisfy your interest in uncovering the hidden, consequential truths buried within the historical record.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Underground the 2016 TV series related to the 1995 Underground movie?
The 2016 Underground television series and the 1995 Underground movie are separate productions. They do not share a narrative connection or source material, despite both projects sharing the same title.
What is the plot of the 2016 Underground series?
The 2016 Underground series follows a group of slaves planning a 600-mile escape from a Georgia plantation. They are assisted by a secret abolitionist couple operating a station on the Underground Railroad while evading those attempting to capture them.
Should I watch the 1995 Underground movie before the 2016 Underground series?
You do not need to watch the 1995 Underground movie before viewing the 2016 Underground series. The two titles are independent of each other, and the 2016 television series stands as a unique story about a plantation escape.
Does the 2016 Underground series involve the Underground Railroad?
Yes, the 2016 Underground series centers on the Underground Railroad. The group of escaping slaves receives critical assistance from an abolitionist couple who runs a station on the network as they attempt to evade their pursuers.