There are many reasons why viewers are drawn to Prime Video's adaptation of Jenny Han's trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Whether it's the quaint beach town, the delightful characters, the teenage nostalgia, or, more importantly, the love stories, there's something in it for most romance fans. For some viewers, it might even be the love triangle between Lola Tung's Belly Conklin and Fisher brothers, Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno's Conrad and Jeremiah, respectively. Regardless, it's an incredible teen drama, now in its third season and featuring a stellar soundtrack that's equally as significant as the plot.
For viewers itching for more YA shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, here are 10 great teen dramas to watch for various similarities, along with where to stream them on platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and more.
Dawson’s Creek (1998)
The teen drama that started it all, and the one that's become a cultural paragon for what it means to set up a love triangle and deliver an earned payoff. Few TV series could ever top Dawson's Creek. Set in the small titular town, the intimate storytelling between characters who grow up together and follow their dreams includes a number of genre favorite archetypes that fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty would enjoy. If for nothing else, it's worth knowing why Katie Holmes' Joey Potter choosing Joshua Jackson's Pacey Witter is still one of the most iconic moments on TV.
One Tree Hill (2003)
While the iconic teen drama does indeed feature two very different brothers like the ones in The Summer I Turned Pretty, the love triangles on One Tree Hill look a bit different, too. For starters, they're more short-lived and don't last beyond a season. However, the series features what might just be the greatest TV soundtrack of all time, and for fans who love the music in Jenny Han's adaptation, One Tree Hill is a must-watch teen drama that does it best. Plus, Tree Hill as a town feels just as cozy as Cousins Beach and features a ton of angst to satisfy every type of viewer.
The O.C. (2003)
The O.C. might not exactly be a small town drama, but it certainly feels like one with its ensemble cast and contained narratives. As yet another quintessential teen drama, the angsty series is certainly worth watching, and especially for viewers looking for deliciously messy relationships and wild arcs. Adam Brody's Seth Cohen is the dreamboat, and he might be particularly intriguing for viewers hoping Belly chooses Christopher Briney's Conrad.
Heartstopper (2022)
Though the drama in Heartstopper doesn't focus on love triangles, the LGBTQIA+ focused series, based on Alice Oseman's graphic novels, is the perfect YA, coming-of-age romance. Sweet and tender at every turn, the series thoughtfully explores the pangs of being a high schooler, all while gorgeously showcasing an ever-blooming romance between Nick and Charlie. The show features a number of romantic relationships involving characters with diverse identities that allow viewers to understand the broad spectrum that fortifies the LGBTQIA+ community. The drama in Heartstopper is mostly external, and as one of the most well-written inclusive shows on air right now, it's the perfect teen drama to dive into.
Never Have I Ever (2020)
Loss is an enormous part of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and another teen drama that does a beautifully healing job of representing grief is Netflix's Never Have I Ever. Following Indian-American teenager Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), the series delivers teenage angst, healing from grief, and the woes of a love triangle, resulting in an earned ending that's easy to appreciate. It's refreshing, profoundly moving, and does a beautiful job of ensuring that the characters are consistently in the driver's seat.
Gilmore Girls (2000)
As another seasonal, coming-of-age small town drama that focuses on the relationship between mothers and daughters, Gilmore Girls is a blueprint for a reason. While a bit cooler as fall vibes are known to be the show's aesthetic, the small town antics are charming, and the love triangles are just as thrilling as they are in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Gilmore Girls is especially worth watching as the number of similarities between Alexis Bledel's Rory and Tung's Belly can be surprisingly comforting.
XO, Kitty (2023)
As a spin-off to Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before, XO, Kitty is a delightful gem worth watching. With a primarly Asian cast and filmed in South Korea, XO, Kitty shines with its gorgeous cultural representation and authenticity. Anna Cathcart's Kitty Covey is one of the standout characters in the original trilogy, so the fact that viewers get to follow her on her own adventures is a gift that keeps on giving. Fun, charming, and all around well-written, The Summer I Turned Pretty fans are bound to adore this gem, too.
My Life With the Walter Boys (2023)
Based on Ali Novak's novel of the same name, My Life With the Walter Boys, like Never Have I Ever and The Summer I Turned Pretty, thoughtfully explores grief with teenagers while simultaneously telling an exciting story with familiar tropes. It follows Nikki Rodriguez's Jackie as she moves from New York to Colorado to live with family friends after the death of her immediate family. Adjusting to the changes in her new life comes with the realization of romantic feelings for two brothers, Cole and Alex.
Outer Banks (2020)
While a lot more dramatic than The Summer I Turned Pretty, Outer Banks might scratch the itch for viewers specifically looking for the summer aesthetic and a group of friends with blooming romances between a number of them. Featuring a search for treasure, loads of familial angst, romance, and more hijinks, surprises are in every corner within the series. Outer Banks especially shines with its found family vibes, and it delivers all the necessary angst to ensure that the sweet romantic moments hit hard because of all the drama.
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
If the thrill of one woman in a messy, complicated relationship with two completely different brothers is what you're looking for, then look no further than The Vampire Diaries. While the series obviously features fantastical elements, the drama and angst are wildly addicting, as the series provides all the excitement of watching romantic relationships unfold as it's meant to. Also based on a book series, if there's any vampire adaptation featuring the love triangle trope that's worth watching, The Vampire Diaries is undoubtedly it.
Where To Watch The Best YA Shows Like The Summer I Turned Pretty Online
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