If you loved ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty,’ you’ll be into these shows too
If you loved ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty,’ you’ll be into these shows too
These teen dramas bring the same messy emotions, big crushes, and coming-of-age vibes.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” wraps up for good on Wednesday, Sept. 17 on Prime Video, closing the book on Belly’s back-and-forth love story with Conrad and Jeremiah. If you’re already dreading the goodbye, don’t worry because I’ve got some other teen dramas that bring the same heart-fluttering, coming-of-age energy. A few of these keep the vibe going, while others flip it on its head in the best way. So, if you loved “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” here’s what to watch next.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Every summer, Belly and her family head to the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. Every summer is the same … until Belly turns sixteen. Relationships will be tested, painful truths will be revealed, and Belly will be forever changed. It’s a summer of first love, first heartbreak and growing up — it’s the summer she turns pretty.
Loved ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’? Watch: ‘Never Have I Ever’
If what hooked you about “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was Belly’s messy emotions, love triangle, and complicated family dynamics, “Never Have I Ever” hits that same nerve, but flips the beach house drama into high school chaos.
My wife and I really loved this show. Yes, it’s more jokey than “The Summer” (it’s more dramedy than drama) but I’ve always been a fan of Mindy Kaling’s work, and with this one, she completely nails the awkward, funny, emotional rollercoaster of being a teenager. It follows Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American high schooler trying to level up her social life while still dealing with grief, cultural expectations, and a very complicated crush situation.
Across four seasons, you watch her crash, burn, grow, and figure herself out. It’s got laughs, heart, and some truly great friendship and family moments while being really entertaining. If you liked Belly for being messy but lovable, Devi is right there with her.
Never Have I Ever
After a traumatic year, all an Indian-American teen wants is to go from pariah to popular — but friends, family and feeling won’t make it easy on her.
Watch next: ‘Outer Banks’
If you’re into the summer setting and the will-they-won’t-they energy in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” but want more action, “Outer Banks” is the move. Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, this show goes full treasure hunt mode. It follows a scrappy crew of working-class teens (the Pogues) who are trying to figure out what happened to one of their dads… and maybe find a stash of gold while they’re at it.
There’s romance, betrayal, boat chases, secret maps, and a whole lot of class tension between the Pogues and the rich-kid Kooks. It’s like “National Treasure” but with way more abs and teen drama. There are four seasons waiting on Netflix if you’re ready to dive in.
Outer Banks
On a North Carolina island of haves and have-nots, John B and his tight-knit crew of friends find mystery and adventure while hunting for lost treasure.
Try out: ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’
If what grabbed you in “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was Belly’s coming-of-age journey and figuring out who she is after loss, “My Life with the Walter Boys” checks a lot of the same boxes. But instead of beach parties and prep school vibes, you get barn dances, big family energy, and small-town awkwardness.
“My Life with the Walter Boys” follows Jackie, a Manhattan teen whose life flips upside down after losing her family in an accident. She moves to rural Colorado and suddenly finds herself living in a house with 10 kids, including nine rowdy brothers. It’s chaotic, sweet, and yeah, there’s a love triangle if you’re worried.
My Life with the Walter Boys
When a tragedy disrupts her life, a teen moves in with her guardian’s big family in a small town and learns new lessons about love, hope and friendship.
Throwback pick: ‘The O.C.’
This was the show during my high school years. Sure, it can be a little corny at times (can’t all these shows?), but it was a massive hit for a reason. “The O.C.” kicks off with Ryan Atwood, a kid from Chino who ends up living with a rich family in Newport Beach. Suddenly, he’s surrounded by private school, ocean views, and way more drama than he ever signed up for. He becomes best friends with Seth Cohen, falls for the girl next door, and the whole thing is just peak early-2000s teen soap.
If you loved the sun-soaked setting, complicated crushes, and over-the-top feelings in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” this one’s worth the trip down memory lane. And if you haven’t seen it? Get a taste of one of the best teen soaps ever made.
The O.C.
Ryan Atwood, a teen from the wrong side of the tracks, moves in with a wealthy family willing to give him a chance. But Ryan’s arrival disturbs the status quo of the affluent, privileged community of Newport Beach, California.
More to watch after finishing ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’:
‘Ginny & Georgia’ | Netflix
Ginny & Georgia
Free-spirited Georgia and her two kids, Ginny and Austin, move north in search of a fresh start but find that the road to new beginnings can be bumpy.
‘Heartstopper’ | Netflix
Heartstopper
Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love.
‘Sex Education’ | Netflix
Sex Education
Inexperienced Otis channels his sex therapist mom when he teams up with rebellious Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.
‘Young Royals’ | Netflix
Young Royals
Prince Wilhelm adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, Hillerska, but following his heart proves more challenging than anticipated.