What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWhen Breath Becomes Air
Paul Kalanithi · Book · 2016
If you loved When Breath Becomes Air, start with Breathe (Andy Serkis, 2017) — a film on the same thread. Below: 3 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to When Breath Becomes Air across media.
You connected with When Breath Becomes Air because of the profound, vulnerable way it forces us to confront our own mortality.
Films on the same thread
Breathe
Andy Serkis · Film · 2017
Explores: Overcoming Adversity, Love and Devotion, Disability Rights.
Much like the perspective found in When Breath Becomes Air, this film examines the resilience of the human spirit when faced with a life-altering and permanent medical diagnosis.
Ikiru
Film · 1952
Shares 2 threads with When Breath Becomes Air: Existentialism, Mortality.
If the search for meaning in When Breath Becomes Air resonated with you, this classic film mirrors that existential journey of a man seeking purpose after learning he is dying.
A Matter of Life and Death
Michael Powell · Film · 1946
Explores: Afterlife bureaucracy, Destiny vs Free Will, Wartime romance.
This film echoes the philosophical inquiry of When Breath Becomes Air by blending the harsh reality of mortality with a deeper, transcendent search for meaning and love.
Series on the same thread
Breaking Bad
Vince Gilligan · Series · 2008
Explores: Moral Decay, Man Breaking Bad, Consequences of Crime.
While more abrasive than When Breath Becomes Air, this series explores the same visceral, life-altering impact of a terminal cancer diagnosis and the subsequent shift in personal priorities.
Six Feet Under
Alan Ball · Series · 2001
Shares a thread with When Breath Becomes Air: Mortality.
This series shares the raw, existential curiosity of When Breath Becomes Air, grounding its narrative in the daily realities of death and the profound impact it has on life.
Call the Midwife
Heidi Thomas · Series · 2012
Explores: Women's Issues, Community, Social Issues.
These stories offer the same intimate medical perspective found in When Breath Becomes Air, focusing on the human connection and dignity required when navigating significant life and death moments.
Dying for Sex
Kim Rosenstock · Series · 2025
Explores: terminal illness, sexual awakening, self-discovery.
This series captures the urgent, transformative power of a terminal diagnosis, mirroring the reevaluation of life and identity that Paul Kalanithi documents in When Breath Becomes Air.
Podcasts on the same thread
Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
Everything Happens Studios · Podcast · 2026
Like When Breath Becomes Air, this podcast provides an honest, articulate examination of suffering and the complex stories we construct while navigating the reality of a terminal prognosis.
This American Life
This American Life · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with When Breath Becomes Air: Personal narrative.
If you appreciated the narrative depth of When Breath Becomes Air, this program provides similar, deeply personal stories that explore the complexities of the human condition and mortality.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is When Breath Becomes Air a work of fiction?
No, When Breath Becomes Air is a non-fiction autobiographical book. It serves as a memoir written by neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, detailing his personal life and his experience battling stage IV metastatic lung cancer.
Who wrote When Breath Becomes Air?
When Breath Becomes Air was written by American neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. The memoir chronicles his life and his terminal illness, providing an intimate look at his perspective as both a doctor and a patient facing a diagnosis of stage IV metastatic lung cancer.
When was When Breath Becomes Air published?
When Breath Becomes Air was posthumously published by Random House on January 12, 2016. The book was released following the death of the author, Paul Kalanithi, who wrote the memoir while navigating his own battle with stage IV metastatic lung cancer.
What is the subject matter of When Breath Becomes Air?
When Breath Becomes Air focuses on the life of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. The memoir documents his transition from a medical professional to a patient after he is diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer, exploring the complexities of his illness and his final experiences.