10 Shows to Watch If You’re Missing ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Like Us

Credit: Warner Bros/Getty Images ; Netflix (2)

10 Shows to Watch If You're Missing 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Like Us

It’s a cruel summer now that The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 has come to an end. 

The series, which premiered on Prime Video in June 2022 and is based on the novels by Jenny Han, follows Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) as she navigates growing up — and figuring out her feelings for brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). The three-book series features the siblings fighting for Belly’s attention as Belly explores her feelings for both boys before making a final decision in the third novel. 

Although there are currently only 15 episodes of TSITP, the show is already a YA classic. Set in a cozy beach town in Massachusetts — but produced in the popular filming location of Wilmington, North Carolina — the series taps into the character-driven dynamics, high-stakes romances and coming-of-age drama that is reminiscent of the popular early 2000s teen genre. 

Prime Video renewed The Summer I Turned Pretty for a 10-episode third – and likely final – season in July 2023, but fans may have to wait awhile until they can dive into the next chapter of the Conrad/Belly/Jeremiah saga. That’s why Us Weekly has rounded up 10 shows that will serve as the perfect binge experience in the meantime.

Keep scrolling for what to watch while waiting for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3: 

Credit: Warner Bros/Getty Images ; Netflix (2)

10 Shows to Watch If You're Missing 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Like Us

It’s a cruel summer now that The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 has come to an end. 

The series, which premiered on Prime Video in June 2022 and is based on the novels by Jenny Han, follows Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) as she navigates growing up — and figuring out her feelings for brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). The three-book series features the siblings fighting for Belly’s attention as Belly explores her feelings for both boys before making a final decision in the third novel. 

Although there are currently only 15 episodes of TSITP, the show is already a YA classic. Set in a cozy beach town in Massachusetts — but produced in the popular filming location of Wilmington, North Carolina — the series taps into the character-driven dynamics, high-stakes romances and coming-of-age drama that is reminiscent of the popular early 2000s teen genre. 

Prime Video renewed The Summer I Turned Pretty for a 10-episode third – and likely final – season in July 2023, but fans may have to wait awhile until they can dive into the next chapter of the Conrad/Belly/Jeremiah saga. That’s why Us Weekly has rounded up 10 shows that will serve as the perfect binge experience in the meantime.

Keep scrolling for what to watch while waiting for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3: 

Credit: Warner Bros/Getty Images

'Dawson’s Creek'

Don’t wait for your life to be over to check out the WB drama that ran from 1998 to 2003 and sparked the debate heard ’round the world: Pacey or Dawson?

In many ways, Dawson's Creek — also filmed in Wilmington  — mirrors everything good The Summer I Turned Pretty has to offer, but gives viewers six 22-episode seasons to invest in the characters and their relationships. 

At first the story focuses on the romance and friendship between Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) — but it soon becomes one of TV’s most iconic love triangles when Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) enters the mix. In the fight for Joey’s heart, longtime pals Dawson and Pacey’s friendship is tested as they each vie to be Joey’s soulmate. 

Like TSITP, there’s also an array of other compelling characters including Jen (Michelle Williams), Andie (Meredith Monroe) and Jack (Kerr Smith), who round out the core gang and become fan favorites along the way. 

Credit: Theo Wargo/WireImage

'One Tree Hill'

Does anyone else miss the days when teens just sat around and figured out their feelings? A third series shot on location in Wilmington (is anyone seeing a pattern?), OTH is the perfect follow-up binge to TSITP. 

Based in the fictional North Carolina town of Tree Hill, the story follows estranged half-brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan (James Lafferty), who bond over their mutual hatred of their father, Dan (Paul Johansson). 

In addition to the complicated family dynamic, the nine-season series, which aired from 2004 to 2012, also features a ton of light-hearted teen fun, a stellar soundtrack and, yes, more than one love triangle. Lucas starts the series fighting for the heart of Nathan’s girlfriend Peyton’s (Hilarie Burton Morgan) — but the real drama kicks off when Peyton and her best friend Brooke (Sophia Bush)  eventually start fighting for Lucas. 

Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix

'Outer Banks'

Consider Outer Banks the mysterious love child of The Summer I Turned Pretty and the 1985 classic The Goonies. Yet another series set in North Carolina, the show follows a group of teen outcasts — John B (Chase Stokes), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), JJ (Rudy Pankow), Kiara (Madison Bailey) and Cleo (Carlacia Grant) — searching for lost treasure. 

While everyone attempts to solve the epic mystery, there’s also plenty of romance and summertime vibes to enjoy. The first three season are currently available to stream on Netflix — with a fourth on its way. 

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'The O.C.'

California, here we come. This beach may be located on the opposite side of the country, but The O.C. — which ran on Fox from 2003 to 2007 — is yet another sand-and-surf-based series that will have you idealizing what high school could have been. 

It’s the show that defined the meaning of the “core four friendship,” with Ryan (Ben McKenzie), Marissa (Mischa Barton), Seth (Adam Brody) and Summer (Rachel Bilson) leading the way through four seasons filled with tragedy, breakups, makeups and everything in between. Much like TSITP, it’s got a soundtrack for the history books. 

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'Beverly Hills, 90210'

The show that changed the YA programming game forever, it can be argued that no one should even watch a teen drama before they’ve seen Beverly Hills, 90210.

One of the definitive shows of the 1990s, the series follows the lives of Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda Walsh (Shannon Doherty) after their family moves from Minnesota to the iconic zip code and their lives change forever. 

90210, which aired on Fox from 1990 to 2000, was also a pioneer for the TV love triangle, featuring an array of pairings throughout its 10 seasons. Nothing, however, compares to the drama that unfolds between Brenda, Dylan (Luke Perry) and Kelly (Jennie Garth). Trust Us on this one and just press play.  

Credit: Samuel Dore/Netflix

'Heartstopper'

This Netflix hit, based on the graphic novel by Alice Oseman, is a heartwarming series that follows teens Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) as they navigate a friendship that quickly blossoms into something more. It's a coming-of-age story that depicts epic first love, heartbreak and what it means to find yourself in a world of societal expectations. Heartstopper seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming on Netflix and the show has already been picked up for a third and fourth season. 

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'Everwood'

If angst is the goal, look no further. Ephram (Gregory Smith) makes Conrad Fisher look like a ray of sunshine in this family drama about a teen who, reeling after his mother’s death, moves to a small town in Colorado with his father (Treat Williams) and younger sister (Vivien Cardone).

In addition to angst, the will-they-or-won’t-they tension between Ephram and love interest Amy (Emily VanCamp) will keep you hooked on this WB show, which aired from 2002 to 2006.

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'GREEK'

Love TSITP but wish the characters could age up out of high school? GREEK, which aired from 2007 to 2011, is what you’ve been looking for. One of the only shows to successfully tell stories about college-aged kids, the story centers on Greek life at fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University in Ohio. 

The comedy series manages to stay filled with laughs throughout its four seasons while challenging the typical stereotypes associated with fraternity culture. There’s also a swoon-worthy love triangle between Casey (Spencer Grammar) and former friends Cappie (Scott Michael Foster) and Evan (Jake McDorman). It’s not a girl and two brothers, but it works. 

Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tribeca TV Festival

'Looking for Alaska'

Another book-to-limited-series adaptation, 2019’s Looking for Alaska is based on John Green’s bestselling novel of the same name. Set in 2004, the show centers on teenagers at sleep-away camp — mainly protagonist Conrad (Charlie Plummer) and his mysterious love interest, Alaska (Kristine Froseth) — who bond over their complicated relationships with their families and difficult home lives.

Looking for Alaska is certainly darker in tone than TSIP, but the topics of grief and loss are reminiscent of the Prime Video series. 

Credit: The CW

'All American'

What happens when a talented high-school football player from South Los Angeles gets recruited to play sports for a school in Beverly Hills? Edge-of-your-seat drama, that’s what. 

Starring Daniel Ezra, Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Taye Diggs, Greta Onieogou and more, All American doesn’t shy away from dealing with topical issues like racism, classism, sexism, substance abuse and mental health, but it also delivers laughter, well-developed characters and a great group of friends (who all date each other at one point or another). 

With six seasons and over 100 episodes — a rarity for network TV these days — All American is reminiscent of series like OTH and Beverly Hills, 90210, while adding a modern spin. 

The best news? An all-new season is coming your way to The CW in 2024.