What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWhat We Do in the Shadows
Jemaine Clement · Series · 2019
If you loved What We Do in the Shadows, start with What We Do in the Shadows (Jemaine Clement, 2014) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to What We Do in the Shadows across media.
If you loved the absurd, supernatural domesticity of What We Do in the Shadows, you will enjoy these explorations of unconventional outsiders.
Start with the source
The source
What We Do in the Shadows
Jemaine Clement · Film · 2014
Adaptation
Wellington Paranormal
Jemaine Clement · Series · 2018
Books on the same thread
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler · Book · 1999
Shares a thread with What We Do in the Shadows: Dark Humor.
Much like the vampires in What We Do in the Shadows, the Baudelaire orphans must navigate a world of incompetent adults and persistent misfortune with a dark, satirical wit.
Gomorrah
Roberto Saviano · Book · 2007
Explores: Mafia, Corruption, Crime.
While heavier in tone than What We Do in the Shadows, this deep dive into organized crime captures the same fascination with insular, secretive societies operating in plain sight.
We Cast a Shadow
Maurice Carlos Ruffin · Book · 2019
Explores: Race, Racism, Colorism.
This story mirrors the sharp, satirical edge found in What We Do in the Shadows, using a high-concept premise to expose the absurdity of the protagonist's desperate social reality.
Nimona
ND Stevenson · Book
Explores: found family, moral ambiguity, anti-hero.
The dynamic of a super villain in training confounding her mentor echoes the chaotic, unpredictable energy that makes the roommates in What We Do in the Shadows so endlessly entertaining.
Films on the same thread
Dark Shadows
Tim Burton · Film · 2012
Shares 2 threads with What We Do in the Shadows: Dark Humor, Vampire Comedy.
This film shares the core culture clash premise of What We Do in the Shadows, following a centuries-old vampire struggling to adapt to the peculiarities of the modern world.
Interview with the Vampire
Film · 1994
Explores: Immortality, Existential Loneliness, Moral Ambiguity.
Those who enjoyed the immortal perspective of What We Do in the Shadows will appreciate this more serious look at the existential loneliness and history of vampire life.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro · Film · 2017
Explores: Outsider Romance, Forbidden Love, Dehumanization.
Like the Staten Island vampires, the characters here exist on the fringes of society, finding an unexpected, intimate connection while navigating a world that does not understand them.
Shadow of the Vampire
E. Elias Merhige · Film · 2000
Shares a thread with What We Do in the Shadows: Horror Comedy.
This film provides a meta-commentary on the vampire mythos that complements the mockumentary style of What We Do in the Shadows, focusing on the absurdity of artistic obsession.
Podcasts on the same thread
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
The blend of detailed research and comedic commentary on grim subject matter mirrors the distinct tonal balance that makes What We Do in the Shadows a standout comedy.
Illumina Show
Podcast
Explores: Humor, Satire, Italian Culture.
Fans of the regional humor and improvisational character dynamics in What We Do in the Shadows will enjoy this comedic exploration of specific cultural and local identities.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I watch the 2014 What We Do in the Shadows movie before starting the 2019 television series?
You do not need to watch the 2014 What We Do in the Shadows movie to understand the 2019 television series. While both share the same documentary-style premise regarding vampire life, the television series functions as an independent narrative set in Staten Island.
Is Wellington Paranormal related to the What We Do in the Shadows universe?
Yes, Wellington Paranormal is a spin-off series created in 2018. It exists within the same creative universe as the original 2014 What We Do in the Shadows film, focusing on the police officers encountered during the events of the movie.
What order should I watch the What We Do in the Shadows franchise in?
There is no required viewing order for the franchise. You can begin with the 2014 What We Do in the Shadows film, the 2019 television series, or the 2018 Wellington Paranormal spin-off, as each project tells a distinct story within the established world.
Is the 2019 What We Do in the Shadows television series a direct sequel to the 2014 movie?
The 2019 What We Do in the Shadows television series is not a direct sequel to the 2014 movie. While both utilize the same mockumentary format to explore the lives of vampires, the television series features a new cast of characters living in Staten Island.