The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts You Should Check Out After Watching 'The Mandalorian'[html]
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Star Wars fans can argue about all kinds of things in the ever-expanding galaxy far, far away, but there’s one aspect of modern Star Wars everyone agrees on: The Mandalorian is terrific. With its space-Western vibes, Pedro Pascal’s steady drawl, and what may be the cutest sidekick ever conceived of in Grogu, the show combines kick-ass action, plenty of Star Wars flavor, and powerful emotional beats into a story and characters fans adore. If the 24 released episodes and the recent film release aren’t enough for you, don’t worry—there are plenty of books, movies, games, and podcasts that slot into the same pleasure centers in your brain.
The best books like The Mandalorian
Novels are dense—you can get all the thrills, tension, and discovery of an entire season of a TV show in just one book. If you’re looking for The Mandalorian’s unique fusion of gritty Western and emotionally grounded adventure, check out these books.
Kenobi, by John Jackson Miller
If you want to stay in the Star Wars universe, Kenobi is a great choice. Like The Mandalorian, it’s essentially a Western, featuring everyone’s favorite Jedi knight during his early days on Tatooine, keeping an eye on a certain infant boy recently adopted by some moisture farmers. Known to the locals as Ben, Kenobi tries to remain isolated, but when a tribe of violent Sand People threatens a local community, his sense of justice and morality slowly draw him into the fight. If the “reluctant hero” vibe of The Mandalorian is what you miss, read this.
The Expanse series by James S. A. Correy
It’s easy to forget how much impact Star Wars had on science fiction stories, especially the way “futuristic” worlds and technology were depicted. The Mandalorian revels in that lo-fi, dented visual style while offering a complex universe. If that’s your jam, The Expanse series by James S. A. Correy (writing duo Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck) is perfect. It’s got the same Spaghetti-Western-in-space feel, the same sense of reluctance heroism, and a complicated universe that offers plenty of rich world-building and surprising story turns.
The Vagrant, by Peter Newman
One of the most compelling aspects of The Mandalorian’s story is the growing bond between the largely silent Mandalorian and Grogu, his diminutive charge. In Newman’s novel, set in a world ravaged and nearly destroyed by demons, The Vagrant is a silent warrior charged with bringing a sentient weapon called The Malice to the last surviving humans—while protecting a baby also in his care. The story offers the same dynamics as the show, with the same level of emotional impact.
Lone Wolf and Cub, by Kazuo Koike
There’s little doubt that The Mandalorian is heavily inspired by Lone Wolf and Cub, one of the most famous manga ever produced. The story of Ogami Ittō, a betrayed shogun executioner who goes on the run with his son, Daigorō, forced to work as an assassin while he seeks revenge on his enemies, is a powerful story all on its own. As Ittō struggles to stay true to his code while protecting and training his son, you’ll catch plenty of moments in the Lone Wolf and Cub stories that map directly onto many of the stories in The Mandalorian.
Big Damn Hero, by James Lovegrove
When it comes to space Westerns, Firefly is inevitably going to come up. Arguably the most influential and successful failed TV show of all time, Firefly has spawned an impressive fictional universe since its cancellation nearly 25 years ago. Big Damn Hero is a swashbuckling adventure that follows Captain Mal and the crew of the Firefly as they take on a dangerous smuggling mission—and then must rally to save one of their own.
The best movies like The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian manages to make its universe look dusty, gritty, and used-up while telling stories that are violently entertaining. You want more of that? Check out these movies and thank us later.
A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
The classic Man with No Name trilogy of films (including sequels For a Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly) is another clear influence on The Mandalorian. In fact, you could argue that the show lifts much of the film’s swagger wholesale. In A Fistful of Dollars, Clint Eastwood stars as, yes, the Man With No Name, a peerless gunfighter with his own personal code who becomes embroiled in the struggle between two gangs vying for control of a struggling town. If you love the Mandalorian as a character, you’ll love this. Stream A Fistful of Dollars on Fubo or rent it on Prime Video.
Hard Boiled (1992)
One of the greatest action films of all time, Hard Boiled is a huge influence on The Mandalorian. John Woo created a masterpiece of kinetic action, and scenes like the iconic
i=OBMbDc5SWLJCBWRM" target="_blank" title="open in a new window" rel="noopener">tea house shootout are directly referenced throughout the series. They’re also both stories of lone heroes who follow their own rules and stand up against incredible odds while not wasting much time talking. It’s easy to see a direct line from
Hard Boiled’s explosive action
The Mandalorian’s best action sequences.
Rent Hard Boiled on Prime Video.
Logan (2017)
Just like The Mandalorian, Logan is the story of a reluctant but noble warrior protecting a vulnerable child—although maybe vulnerable isn’t exactly the right word for the nearly feral, extremely dangerous X-23 (aka Laura, portrayed by Dafne Keen). With a realistic approach to superpowers and sci-fi technology and a gritty, run-down aesthetic, this movie pairs perfectly with the show. Stream Logan on Disney+ or rent it on Prime Video.
Seven Samurai (1954)
Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film is so influential, it’s impossible to overstate its impact (and the original Hollywood remake, The Magnificent Seven, is pretty great, too). The story of a desperate village th
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July 19, 2025, 04:03:32 PM