What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWanderlust
David Wain · Film · 2012
If you loved Wanderlust, start with Workaholics (Adam Devine, 2011) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Wanderlust across media.
If you loved Wanderlust, you will enjoy these stories that examine the humorous chaos of people trying to find their place in the world.
Books on the same thread
The Wanderer
Fritz Leiber · Book · 1964
Explores: Existential Threat, Cosmic Horror, Humanity's Response to Crisis.
If Wanderlust hit, The Wanderer shares the thread.
The Love Haters
Katherine Center · Book
Explores: Career reinvention, Opposites attract, Emotional vulnerability.
This story echoes the career reinvention theme of Wanderlust, as a protagonist leaves her familiar life behind to find clarity and connection in a completely different and unexpected setting.
Lust for Life
Irving Stone · Book · 1934
Explores: Artistic Struggle, Mental Illness, Poverty.
If Wanderlust hit, Lust for Life shares the thread.
The Love Dare
Stephen Kendrick · Book · 2009
Explores: Marriage Enrichment, Communication in Marriage, Commitment.
If Wanderlust hit, The Love Dare shares the thread.
Series on the same thread
Workaholics
Adam Devine · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Wanderlust: Slacker Comedy.
Like the characters in Wanderlust who struggle with unemployment, these three roommates navigate the absurdity of post-college life with a slacker sensibility that mirrors your favorite comedic moments.
Party Down
Paul Rudd · Series · 2009
Explores: Hollywood satire, struggling artists, failure.
This series captures the same workplace cynicism and ensemble dynamics found in Wanderlust, following a group of people stuck in roles that are far from their original career dreams.
Community
Dan Harmon · Series · 2009
Explores: Community, Friendship, Self-Discovery.
Much like the fish-out-of-water experience in Wanderlust, these underdogs form an unlikely bond while navigating a confusing institutional environment that forces them to reevaluate their personal identities.
Master of None
Alan Yang · Series · 2015
Shares a thread with Wanderlust: Millennial Humor.
This show mirrors the millennial humor of Wanderlust by exploring the existential crises of adulthood, focusing on a protagonist who is trying to balance career aspirations with modern relationships.
Podcasts on the same thread
Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Team Coco & Earwolf · Podcast · 2026
Explores: parasocial relationships, professional intimacy, self-deprecating humor.
If the personality-driven comedy of Wanderlust kept you engaged, you will appreciate this podcast, which uses self-deprecating humor to explore the complexities of adult social life and professional intimacy.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
If Wanderlust hit, Small Town Murder shares the thread.
Common questions
What is the premise of Wanderlust?
Wanderlust follows a Manhattan couple who experience sudden unemployment. Seeking new living options, they decide to experiment with a rural commune lifestyle where the concept of free love is practiced.
Is Wanderlust a movie?
Yes, Wanderlust is a 2012 film directed by David Wain. The plot centers on a couple navigating the challenges of unemployment and their subsequent transition into an alternative communal living environment.
Who directed Wanderlust?
Wanderlust was directed by David Wain. Released in 2012, the film explores the comedic and social dynamics of a couple who relocate to a rural commune after losing their jobs in Manhattan.
What year was Wanderlust released?
Wanderlust was released in 2012. The film portrays the journey of a Manhattan couple who, following a period of sudden unemployment, choose to leave the city to experience life in a rural commune.