Top 10 Drama Series Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
If you’ve ever finished The Summer I Turned Pretty and felt that quiet ache that comes when a beautiful story ends, you’re not alone. The show wrapped its viewers in sun-soaked scenes, first-love tension, and bittersweet teenage emotions. Yet the feeling it leaves behind somewhere between nostalgia and possibility makes us want more. Luckily, there are other drama series that capture that same warmth, heartbreak, and coming-of-age glow.
This guide explores the top 10 drama series like The Summer I Turned Pretty shows filled with love triangles, close-knit friendships, self-discovery, and that familiar longing that comes when you realize youth never lasts forever. Each one tells its own story of growing up, falling in love, and learning who you are beneath the surface.
Why Fans Can’t Get Enough of The Summer I Turned Pretty
The show isn’t just a romance; it’s a mirror of how teenage summers often feel—messy, emotional, and unforgettable. Beneath the pretty scenes are real themes that keep people rewatching and sharing online.
The Relatable Love Triangle
Belly’s struggle between Conrad and Jeremiah connects with anyone who’s ever felt torn between comfort and passion. The series doesn’t paint love as perfect; it shows it as confusing and sometimes painful. That honesty pulls viewers back each season, searching for their own reflection in her choices.
The Summer Setting and Nostalgic Tone
The beach houses, golden sunsets, and family dinners create a world that feels safe yet emotional. For many viewers, it reminds them of simpler times when one summer could change everything.
Coming-of-Age Growth
Beyond romance, the show is about personal evolution. Every character changes, often in small but real ways. It’s that balance between innocence and maturity that defines why The Summer I Turned Pretty struck such a deep chord.
Because of these themes, fans naturally search for other drama series like The Summer I Turned Pretty—stories with emotional depth, youth, and love that lingers long after the credits roll.
What Makes a Show Similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty
If you’re hunting for that same feeling, certain ingredients tend to appear in series that share its DNA.
1. Themes of First Love and Self-Discovery
At its heart, The Summer I Turned Pretty is about discovering yourself through love. Shows that mirror it often explore that shift from innocence to awareness—moments that define growing up.
2. Strong Friendships and Family Connections
Viewers love stories where friendships feel as vital as romance. A believable family dynamic or a loyal friend group gives emotional grounding to all the chaos of youth.
3. Soft Visuals and Seasonal Vibes
The lighting, music, and locations matter. Summer beaches, small towns, or cozy neighborhoods evoke the same gentle escapism that made the original so loved.
4. Emotional Realism
Instead of melodrama, the best teen shows build believable feelings. They remind viewers that heartbreak doesn’t always mean the end—it’s often the start of something new.
Now that we know what to look for, let’s explore the ten titles that perfectly capture the same charm.
1. Outer Banks (Netflix)
A sun-drenched adventure filled with treasure hunts and tangled emotions, Outer Banks gives the same adrenaline and heart you get from The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Plot Overview
Set along North Carolina’s coast, the story follows a group of teens split between the wealthy “Kooks” and the working-class “Pogues.” John B, the show’s lead, searches for his missing father and a legendary treasure while falling for Sarah Cameron, the girl from the other side of town.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Both series mix class divide, romance, and coastal freedom. They show young people who chase meaning amid sand, secrets, and heartbreak. The sense of rebellion, loyalty, and first love binds their worlds together.
Where to Watch
Streaming exclusively on Netflix, with multiple seasons to keep you invested.
2. Ginny & Georgia (Netflix)
If The Summer I Turned Pretty balances teenage exploration with family tension, Ginny & Georgia dives straight into it.
Plot Overview
Fifteen-year-old Ginny often feels more mature than her thirty-year-old mother, Georgia. After moving to a new town, they attempt a fresh start, but secrets from Georgia’s past quickly unravel their picture-perfect life.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Both shows explore identity, love, and how past wounds affect present choices. They portray motherhood, friendship, and first crushes through realistic dialogue rather than clichés.
Where to Watch
Available on Netflix, praised for witty writing and layered characters.
3. Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
Playful, awkward, and heartfelt, this coming-of-age dramedy delivers emotional truth under waves of humor.
Plot Overview
Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American teen, tries to rebuild her social life after a family tragedy. Between academic pressure, cultural identity, and two love interests, Devi learns that perfection is a myth.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
The shared thread is imperfection both Belly and Devi make mistakes while trying to find love and acceptance. Their journeys show that teenage years are messy but meaningful.
Where to Watch
All four seasons stream on Netflix.
4. Heartstopper (Netflix)
This gentle British series focuses on love that feels pure and safe—something many Summer I Turned Pretty fans crave.
Plot Overview
When shy Charlie meets rugby player Nick, an unexpected friendship grows into love. The show navigates identity, sexuality, and acceptance without losing warmth.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Both series celebrate the tender sides of youth: honesty, fear, and connection. They remind viewers that love can be soft, supportive, and still utterly powerful.
Where to Watch
Exclusively on Netflix, with Season 3 expected soon.
5. XO, Kitty (Netflix)
Set within the same cinematic universe as To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, this spin-off focuses on Lara Jean’s younger sister, Kitty, who brings her boldness overseas.
Plot Overview
Kitty moves to South Korea to attend her late mother’s old school and to reunite with her long-distance boyfriend. But she soon discovers that life abroad comes with surprises and heartbreaks of its own.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Both protagonists are hopeful romantics who learn love doesn’t always go according to plan. The tone mixes humor, charm, and emotional lessons about independence.
Where to Watch
Watch on Netflix; new seasons are already in development.
6. One Tree Hill (HBO Max / Hulu)
An early-2000s classic, One Tree Hill is the emotional blueprint for many teen dramas that came later.
Plot Overview
Set in a small North Carolina town, it follows half-brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott as they battle on and off the basketball court while navigating romance and family issues.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
Both series dive into layered friendships, complicated families, and the process of growing up in public. The soundtrack and heartfelt monologues give it that same introspective tone that modern shows now echo.
Where to Watch
Streaming on HBO Max and Hulu; nine seasons of heartfelt storytelling.
7. Dawson’s Creek (HBO Max / Amazon Prime)
Before Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah, there was Dawson, Joey, and Pacey.
Plot Overview
Set in a small coastal town, this late-’90s hit followed a close group of friends as they experienced love, betrayal, and the growing pains of adolescence.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
The atmosphere beach houses, lifelong friendships, and longing—mirrors The Summer I Turned Pretty almost perfectly. It’s emotional but never forced, focusing on the messy side of real relationships.
Where to Watch
Available on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video.
8. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix Films)
Before The Summer I Turned Pretty, author Jenny Han gave us this charming film trilogy.
Plot Overview
Lara Jean’s secret love letters accidentally get mailed, turning her quiet life into a whirlwind of romance and self-discovery.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
The connection is direct same creator, same tender approach to young love. Both stories feature kindhearted female leads learning that love isn’t a fairytale but a lesson in vulnerability.
Where to Watch
All three movies are available on Netflix.
9. The O.C. (Hulu / Amazon Prime)
Glamorous yet grounded, The O.C. shaped how modern teen dramas look and sound.
Plot Overview
When troubled teen Ryan Atwood is taken in by a wealthy family in Orange County, California, he enters a world of privilege, romance, and complicated friendships.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
It shares the same mix of class tension and emotional storytelling. Ryan’s outsider perspective mirrors Belly’s feelings of never quite fitting in. The soundtrack still iconic today builds that same nostalgic energy.
Where to Watch
Streaming on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.
10. Sweet Magnolias (Netflix)
Gentle and full of heart, Sweet Magnolias offers the grown-up version of the warmth you felt watching The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Plot Overview
Set in the charming town of Serenity, it follows three lifelong friends—Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen—as they navigate relationships, motherhood, and the search for happiness.
Why It’s Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
It delivers comfort, community, and romance. The pacing is slower, but the emotional pay-off feels familiar: people rediscovering love after heartbreak and supporting each other through change.
Where to Watch
Available on Netflix with multiple seasons.
How to Choose Your Next Summer Drama
With so many similar shows, picking the right one depends on your mood.
If You Love Adventure and Mystery
Start with Outer Banks. It combines romance with adrenaline and keeps you on edge.
If You Want Family and Emotional Depth
Go for Ginny & Georgia or Sweet Magnolias. Both focus on how love and parenting intertwine.
If You’re Drawn to Heartfelt Romance
Try Heartstopper or XO, Kitty. They prove affection can be gentle and meaningful.
If You Want Classic Vibes
One Tree Hill, Dawson’s Creek, and The O.C. are timeless. Their emotional beats inspired today’s teen shows.
Whichever you pick, each series offers a mix of tenderness and lessons about growing up.
Bonus Mentions and Hidden Gems
My Life with the Walter Boys (Netflix)
A newer addition to the genre, it follows a teen who moves in with a large, chaotic family after tragedy. The multiple love interests and heartfelt tone make it perfect for Summer I Turned Pretty fans.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (BBC / Netflix)
Combines mystery with coming-of-age, giving a darker twist to the typical teen format.
These bonus picks expand the emotional universe of youth dramas while adding fresh perspectives.
Why We Love Summer Dramas
Something about summer stories pulls us back again and again.
The Power of Nostalgia
They remind us of simpler times late nights, first kisses, and friendships that felt endless. Even adults watching these shows feel that tug of memory.
The Promise of Change
Every summer marks transition. Each of these series captures that moment when everything seems possible and terrifying all at once.
Real Emotions, Softly Told
What links them isn’t spectacle it’s sincerity. Love, family, and friendship told without cynicism are rare, and these shows keep that warmth alive.
Final Thoughts
If The Summer I Turned Pretty taught us anything, it’s that stories about youth don’t fade with age—they echo. Each of the ten series above holds the same blend of sweetness and struggle that made Belly’s world so real. Whether you want laughs, heartbreak, or a simple escape into sunshine, your next favorite drama is waiting.
So, grab your snacks, find your spot on the couch, and let the stories roll. Summer may end, but the feeling never has to.
