What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWarcraft
Film · 2016
If you loved Warcraft, start with The Witcher (Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, 2019) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Warcraft across media.
What hooked you in Warcraft was the way massive, world-altering conflicts force individuals to choose between their loyalty and their morality.
Books on the same thread
Ender's Game
Orson Scott Card · Book · 2013
Explores: Child Soldiers, Alien Invasion, Moral Ambiguity.
Just as Warcraft explores the desperation of extinction, this story focuses on a young hero thrust into a brutal inter-species war where survival depends on impossible, morally ambiguous choices.
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien · Book · 1937
Shares a thread with Warcraft: High Fantasy.
If the epic scale of Azeroth drew you in, you will appreciate this foundational journey where a reluctant hero becomes central to a conflict between good and evil forces.
War and Peace (Война и мир)
Leo Tolstoy · Book · 1869
Explores: Napoleonic Wars, Russian aristocracy, Social class.
Fans of the grand, civilization-defining warfare seen in Warcraft will find a deeper, more historical exploration of how social class and leadership shape the outcome of massive military campaigns.
The Riftwar Cycle
Raymond E. Feist · Book · 1982
Shares 2 threads with Warcraft: High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy.
The portal-driven chaos of Warcraft finds a natural successor in this series, which mirrors the clash of cultures and high-stakes political warfare between two distinct, warring worlds.
Series on the same thread
Game of Thrones
David Benioff · Series · 2011
Shares a thread with Warcraft: High Fantasy.
Like the shifting alliances in Warcraft, this series captures the grit of noble families fighting for power while an ancient, existential threat looms over their divided, war-torn land.
Berserk
Series · 1997
Shares a thread with Warcraft: Sword and Sorcery.
This dark tale echoes the themes of sacrifice and betrayal present in Warcraft, focusing on mercenaries caught in a violent cycle that tests their humanity against encroaching, supernatural forces.
Arcane
Christian Linke · Series · 2021
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
The split loyalties that define Warcraft reappear here as two sisters find themselves on opposite sides of a war, forced to reconcile their convictions amidst clashing technological and magical advancement.
The Witcher
Lauren Schmidt Hissrich · Series · 2019
Shares a thread with Warcraft: Sword and Sorcery.
Similar to the morally gray world of Warcraft, this story follows a wanderer navigating a turbulent landscape where political intrigue and the struggle against monsters define his difficult destiny.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
If you enjoyed the high fantasy setting of Warcraft but want a lighter take, this podcast offers a humorous, improvised perspective on the familiar tropes of questing and heroic adventure.
Giant Bombcast
Giant Bomb · Podcast · 2026
Explores: camaraderie, industry critique, fandom.
For those who want to dive deeper into the culture surrounding titles like Warcraft, this podcast provides expert commentary and industry analysis on the latest developments in gaming.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Warcraft based on a conflict between two specific groups?
Yes, Warcraft depicts a conflict between the peaceful civilization of Azeroth and a race of orc warriors. The orcs are fleeing their dying home to colonize another world, leading to a collision course that threatens the survival of both groups.
Does Warcraft feature a portal connecting two different worlds?
Yes, the plot of Warcraft revolves around a portal that opens to connect the realm of Azeroth with the dying home world of the orc warriors. This connection forces the two armies into a struggle for survival as they face potential destruction and extinction.
What is the primary motivation for the orcs in Warcraft?
In Warcraft, the orc warriors are motivated by the need to escape their dying home world. They attempt to colonize the peaceful realm of Azeroth, which brings them into direct conflict with the people living there and threatens the fate of both civilizations.
Are the heroes in Warcraft fighting for the fate of their people?
Yes, the heroes in Warcraft are set on a collision course that will decide the fate of their families and their people. As the two worlds connect, the conflict between the invading orcs and the defenders of Azeroth determines who will face destruction and who will face extinction.