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If you’re anything like me, The Summer I Turned Pretty has been more than just a show — it’s a full-on obsession. Maybe you’ve lost count of how many times you’ve rewatched those dreamy Cousins Beach scenes, or you’ve been humming along to the The Summer I Turned Pretty Taylor Swift soundtrack like it’s your personal playlist for every emotional mood swing. What makes TSITP so addictive? It’s that perfect mix of sun-soaked beach vibes, a heart-wrenching teen love triangle, and the bittersweet feeling of growing up and falling in love for the first time.
Whether you’re crushing on Conrad’s brooding intensity or drawn to Jeremiah’s boy-next-door charm, the emotional pull of TSITP hits deep. It’s about messy friendships, family drama, and the kind of summer romance TV fans love — slow-burn tension, nostalgic coastal settings, and swoony moments that stick with you.
That’s why I put together this list of the best shows and movies like The Summer I Turned Pretty—perfect for fans of teen romance series, coming-of-age dramas, and beach town love stories. If you’re looking for similar TV shows and films with love triangles, summer vibes, and heartfelt character growth, this list has you covered.
Table of Contents
Teen Love Triangles, Crushes & Romantic Chaos
1. My Life with the Walter Boys
This show might as well have been tailor-made for TSITP fans. A girl moves into a house full of boys after tragedy strikes, and—shocker—things get complicated. It’s got a classic love triangle, slow-burn tension, and that “new girl in town” trope that TSITP pulls off so well. If you’re not over the whole “should she pick the bad boy or the golden retriever?” dilemma, this one is going to hit all the right notes.
2. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
For something a little softer and sweeter, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the definition of teen romance comfort food. Lara Jean and Belly would totally bond over their crush spirals and emotional overthinking. This one leans into fake dating, love letters, and first love butterflies—with plenty of heartfelt family moments in the mix. If you were Team Conrad because of the quiet pining, Peter Kavinsky might just steal your heart too.
3. The Vampire Diaries
If you’re still spiraling over Belly’s love triangle drama, The Vampire Diaries is here to raise the emotional stakes—literally. Set in a small town teeming with secrets, this supernatural teen drama follows Elena Gilbert as she falls for two vampire brothers: one brooding and selfless, the other dark and unpredictable. It’s angsty, addictive, and full of romantic tension that’ll keep you glued to your screen (and maybe yelling at it). Basically, if you love watching one girl be emotionally torn between two guys, welcome to your next obsession.
4. Emily in Paris
This one’s more for the fans who love the vibe of TSITP—the aesthetic, the drama, the swoony love interests—not so much the teen angst. Emily in Paris swaps beach towns for Parisian rooftops but keeps the love triangle alive and well. If you’re into beautiful backdrops, questionable romantic decisions, and outfits as bold as the emotions, Emily’s whirlwind love life will keep you entertained. Call it Belly in a beret.
5. The Kissing Booth
Let’s be honest—The Kissing Booth is chaotic, dramatic, and sometimes downright unhinged, but it’s also a total guilty pleasure. It’s got the bad boy crush, the childhood best friend, the love triangle, and all the over-the-top teen drama you could ask for. If TSITP is your emotional favorite, The Kissing Booth is your messy binge-watch bestie.
6. Dawson’s Creek
If you’re a sucker for slow-burn romance, lingering glances, and soul-searching monologues, Dawson’s Creek is a teen drama classic worth revisiting. It follows a tight-knit group of friends in a small coastal town, all trying to figure out who they are—and who they love. Joey and Dawson. Joey and Pacey. Yes, it gets messy. But that’s the magic. It’s deeply emotional, full of longing and heartbreak, and the kind of show that TSITP fans will absolutely spiral over.
7. One Tree Hill
If you’re down for a longer emotional rollercoaster with plenty of drama, heartbreak, and complicated love triangles, One Tree Hill delivers all that and more. Set in a small town with big emotions, it follows a group of teens navigating love, loyalty, and messy friendships—all while chasing their dreams. Nathan and Haley’s slow burn? Iconic. Brooke and Peyton’s friendship drama? Peak teen angst. It’s the kind of show that grows with its characters, just like TSITP.
8. Love, Victor
Set in the same world as Love, Simon, this show follows Victor, a high schooler navigating his sexuality, crushes, and family pressure—all while trying to figure out who he is. It’s full of romantic confusion, sweet moments, and that same emotional vulnerability that makes TSITP so binge-worthy. If you’re looking for a coming-of-age story with a lot of heart (and a little drama), this one hits all the right notes.
9. Never Have I Ever
For something more modern and laugh-out-loud funny (with a side of emotional chaos), Never Have I Ever is a coming-of-age gem. It follows Devi, a whip-smart teen trying to juggle grief, identity, and the very important task of landing a boyfriend. If you loved Belly’s inner turmoil and bad decisions, you’ll adore Devi’s messy love triangle with Paxton and Ben. It’s got heart, humor, and plenty of cringe-worthy but lovable teen moments.
10. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
If you loved the nostalgia, summer crushes, and romantic chaos of TSITP, HSMTMTS is pure serotonin. It’s meta, musical, and surprisingly heartfelt, with a whole cast of characters who are trying to balance ambition, heartbreak, and friendship while putting on a high school production. Ricky and Nini’s love story is full of yearning and teen angst, and the whole show feels like a love letter to figuring yourself out—on and off stage.
Summer Vibes & Beach Town Romance
11. Outer Banks
If The Summer I Turned Pretty left you wanting more beachy adventures and steamy teen drama, Outer Banks is a must-watch. It’s got the sun-drenched summer setting, high-stakes romance, and friend group chaos you’re craving. Think love triangles, forbidden crushes, and treasure hunts that spiral into life-or-death situations. And yes, John B and Sarah’s chemistry? Electric. It leans more into mystery and action than TSITP, but it still hits that irresistible mix of summer love and youthful recklessness.
12. Surviving Summer
Think TSITP with more surfing and Aussie accents. Surviving Summer follows a rebellious New Yorker sent to coastal Australia, where she clashes—and maybe connects—with a group of local surfers. It’s got that fish-out-of-water energy, a hint of enemies-to-lovers, and the beachy drama we all crave. If you want summer vibes with a little edge, this one’s an under-the-radar gem.
13. Along For The Ride
Adapted from Sarah Dessen’s novel, Along for the Ride is basically a quiet cousin to TSITP—all about summer nights, emotional healing, and that one person who sees through your walls. It’s set in a sleepy beach town and follows Auden, an insomniac who meets a charming, mysterious boy while spending the summer with her dad. If you’re here for heartfelt moments, slow romance, and some light YA introspection, this one’s for you.
14. The O.C.
The OC walked so TSITP could run. With its sun-soaked coastal setting, tangled love lives, and emotionally chaotic families, it’s basically the blueprint for beachside teen drama. Seth Cohen is the ultimate loveable nerd, Summer is the it-girl with depth, and Ryan is the brooding outsider who gets caught in the middle of it all. It’s packed with love triangles, class divides, and emotional sucker punches—plus, the early 2000s soundtrack is chef’s kiss.
15. Love & Gelato
A summer in Italy, a mysterious love interest (or two), and lots of wandering around charming cobblestone streets—Love & Gelato checks all the boxes for a breezy, romantic watch. It’s not quite as deep as TSITP, but it leans into the same themes of grief, discovery, and unexpected love. If you’re just here for the vibes and the yearning, this one’s a sweet, low-stakes palate cleanser.
Coming-of-Age Stories with Heart
16. Heartstopper
If what you loved most about TSITP was the soft, heart-squeezing romance and emotional honesty, Heartstopper is going to wreck you in the best way. It follows the blossoming relationship between Charlie and Nick, two British teens figuring out love, identity, and friendship. It’s gentle and affirming, with all the butterflies and awkward moments that make first love unforgettable. There’s no love triangle here, but the emotional sincerity and swoony moments? Chef’s kiss.
17. Dickinson
For fans of TSITP who loved the introspective, emotional side of Belly, Dickinson offers a poetic and rebellious twist on the coming-of-age story. Hailee Steinfeld plays a teen Emily Dickinson grappling with creativity, identity, forbidden love, and societal pressure—all with a modern flair. It’s beautifully shot, emotionally raw, and sneakily funny, with a sapphic romance that’ll break your heart and put it back together.
18. Dash & Lily
If you’re craving something more wholesome and seasonal, Dash & Lily is like a warm, cozy rom-com wrapped in a red scarf. It’s all about opposites attracting through a book-filled scavenger hunt across New York City. The romance is slow, thoughtful, and sweet—less angsty than TSITP, but just as emotionally satisfying. Plus, it’s a bookish love story, and that always hits different.
19. Looking For Alaska
Based on John Green’s novel, Looking for Alaska is the kind of story that sneaks up on you with its quiet emotional intensity. It follows a boy who falls for a girl who’s brilliant, beautiful, and totally self-destructive. If you liked TSITP for its emotional messiness and bittersweet coming-of-age moments, this one hits even harder. It’s introspective, melancholic, and totally unforgettable.
20. Grown-ish
If TSITP had you thinking about what comes next after high school and first loves, Grown-ish picks up where the teen drama ends. A spinoff of Black-ish, it follows Zoey Johnson as she navigates college life, friendships, messy situationships, and what it means to grow up in the real world. There’s glam, drama, and self-discovery galore—and like Belly, Zoey doesn’t always make the smartest choices when it comes to love.
21. Atypical
Atypical is another coming-of-age gem with a ton of emotional heart. It follows Sam, a teen on the autism spectrum, as he navigates dating, growing up, and becoming more independent. But the real strength of the show lies in the family dynamics and the ways each character is struggling to evolve. If you were drawn to the messy, evolving relationships in TSITP, this offers a more grounded—but still deeply moving—take on growing up and figuring out your place in the world.
Family, Friendship & Small-Town Feels
22. Ginny & Georgia
If you loved the mix of heartfelt family drama and messy teen relationships in The Summer I Turned Pretty, Ginny & Georgia brings all that and then some—with a twist of dark secrets and small-town gossip. Ginny’s coming-of-age arc feels a lot like Belly’s, especially when it comes to figuring out love, identity, and what it means to grow up in someone else’s shadow. It’s part mother-daughter dramedy, part teen romance chaos, and 100% bingeable.
23. The Sex Lives of College Girls
Think The Summer I Turned Pretty grown up. This Mindy Kaling creation follows four college roommates navigating love, friendship, and independence—aka all the things Belly’s on the cusp of. While it’s definitely spicier and more mature, the show still captures that feeling of being young, overwhelmed, and totally confused about what (and who) you want. Bonus: the dialogue is sharp, the characters are wildly fun, and the female friendship dynamics are top-tier.
24. Normal People
If you loved the quiet heartbreak and messy emotional undercurrents in TSITP, Normal People will absolutely ruin you (in the best way). It’s a raw, tender look at two people who keep circling back to each other across the years—sometimes in love, sometimes not, but always connected. There’s no beachy backdrop or teen drama here, but the emotional intensity, longing, and unspoken moments? Off the charts. It’s slow, beautiful, and deeply human.
25. Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)
This one’s a little offbeat, but hear me out—Teenage Bounty Hunters balances snarky humor, twin-sister dynamics, and surprisingly heartfelt romance. It follows two high school girls in a conservative community who moonlight as bounty hunters, and while that premise sounds wild (because it is), the emotional core is all about figuring yourself out. There’s religious guilt, secret hookups, forbidden love—it’s got way more depth than it gets credit for. If you liked TSITP for the emotional whiplash and unexpected tenderness, give this one a shot.
26. On My Block
If you want something more grounded, On My Block blends humor, heartbreak, and friendship with sharp writing and authentic characters. It follows a group of teens growing up in a rough LA neighborhood and facing way more than just high school crushes. That said, it still has its fair share of romance, emotional arcs, and deep bonds—kind of like TSITP, just with higher stakes and a little more grit.
27. Sweet Magnolias
Looking for something more soothing and small-town cozy? Sweet Magnolias is basically the adult version of TSITP, full of family drama, friendship, and swoony romance. While the characters are older, the themes are super similar—love triangles, second chances, and emotional growing pains. Plus, the Southern town setting gives off strong Cousins Beachvibes, just with more margaritas and mom talk.
28. All American
All American blends sports drama, teen romance, and class tension into one addictive package. It follows Spencer James, a football star navigating two different worlds—and the complicated relationships that come with them. There’s unspoken feelings, love triangles, secret hook-ups…basically everything you loved about TSITP, just with a lot more football and way more emotional baggage. If you want high-stakes drama with heart, this one delivers.