Best tv shows like Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The stories of several colorful characters living in San Francisco. Based on the book by Armistead Maupin (A Man I Dreamt Up).
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 360 min
Plot tags: costume drama, sentimental, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, semi serious, sexual, sexy
Best tv shows and movies like Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City (1993):
Similar in 82%
Armistead Maupin's More Tales of the City (1998)
Plot Summary:
In this sequel to the controversial PBS mini-series, Mona Ramsey is on a cross-country trip that takes her to a brothel which may hold a secret about her past. Michael "Mouse" Tolliver and Mary Ann Singleton go on a cruise where they meet up with lovers old and new. Back in San Francisco, Brian Hawkins becomes involved with a mysterious woman he spots from his window, while DeDe Halcyon Day becomes acquainted with a new friend who helps her discover her true inner feelings.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Canada, USA
Duration: 330 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, emotional, realistic, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 75%
Further Tales of the City (2001)
Plot Summary:
This sequel to More Tales of the City finds Mary Ann (Laura Linney) struggling to advance in her new career on television, while Michael (Paul Hopkins) is playing the field after his break-up with Jon (Billy Campbell). After her divorce, Prue (Mary Kay Place) finds comfort in a mysterious stranger. DeDe (Barbara Garrick) returns with a revelation that could be the scoop Mary Ann has been waiting for.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, witty, semi serious, realistic, sexual, sexy
Similar in 81%
By Hook or by Crook (2001)
Plot Summary:
Shy, a small-town butch with a nagging messiah complex, heads to the big city to immerse herself in a life of crime. On her journey, she meets her match in Valentine, a wise-acre adoptee who is searching for her birth-mother. The two lonely grifters join forces and embark on a journey through the skid-row streets of San Francisco and learn the true meaning of poise under pressure and the importance of friendship.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 340
Genere: Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: talky, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, offbeat, contemplative, semi serious, road movie, queer cinema
Similar in 82%
The Outs (2012)
Plot Summary:
A web series centered around a broken couple, Jack and Mitchell. It depicts the events before, during, and after the break-up. An interesting turn of events follows in this romantic drama portrayed in a non-linear fashion.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 611
Genere: Short, Drama
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, witty, semi serious, clever, humorous, talky, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
The Line of Beauty (2006)
Plot Summary:
Nick Guest comes to London to live with his college friend's family, the Feddens. A short stay becomes permanent, and Nick positions himself in the family's plentiful lives of parties and politics during the Thatcher years. Over the course of three episodes spanning four years in the mid-eighties, we follow Nick's two homosexual love affairs in a time of promiscuity and carelessness, until the AIDS crisis and a bout of scandal threaten life as he has come to know it.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: retro, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, saga, queer cinema
Similar in 79%
Eastsiders (2012)
Plot Summary:
What happens after the world ends? Written and directed by award winning playwright Kit Williamson, "EastSiders" explores the aftermath of infidelity on a gay couple in Silverlake. When Cal (Kit Williamson) finds out Thom (Van Hansis) has been cheating on him with Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), their relationship is turned upside down. Will the lies tear them apart or are they just stubborn enough to stay together forever? Drunken outbursts and double standards abound in this dark comedy about the sad and funny messes we make out of our lives. Cal's best friend Kathy (Constance Wu) is always there for him with a bottle of whiskey in her purse, but she has her own problems with her nice guy boyfriend Ian (John Halbach), even if they're all in her head. Stephen Guarino guest stars as a party promoter throwing one last bash before the apocalypse. - Written by Kit Williamson.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: touching, semi serious, humorous, dark comedy, emotional, realistic, gloomy, queer cinema
Similar in 79%
Please Like Me (2013)
Plot Summary:
After breaking up with his girlfriend, Josh comes to the realization that he is homosexual. With the support of his now ex girlfriend Claire, and his best friend and house mate Tom, Josh must help his mother with her battle with depression and the rest of his family embrace his new found lifestyle.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 29 min
Plot tags: humorous, sincere, realistic, semi serious, sitcom, feel good, offbeat, emotional, entertaining, hilarious
Similar in 88%
Tales of the City (2019)
Plot Summary:
Mary Ann returns to present-day San Francisco and is reunited with her daughter and ex-husband, twenty years after leaving them behind to pursue her career. Fleeing the midlife crisis that her picture-perfect Connecticut life created, Mary Ann is quickly drawn back into the orbit of Anna Madrigal, her chosen family and a new generation of queer young residents living at 28 Barbary Lane.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sincere, romantic, sentimental, touching, erotic, feel good, saga, sensual, lgbt cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 90%
Love Bites (2011)
Plot Summary:
Love Bites is an American television series originally planned for the 2010–11 television season on the NBC network that eventually aired as a summer replacement series. It premiered in its regular Thursday night time slot at 10:00 pm Eastern/9:00 pm Central, on June 2, 2011. On July 11, NBC canceled the show and the series finale aired on July 21.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, realistic, talky, anthology, sexual, sexy
Similar in 77%
Hollywood, je t'aime (2009)
Plot Summary:
Recently broken up and barely enduring a dreary winter, gay Parisian Jérôme Beaunez impulsively books a solo Christmas vacation to Los Angeles. While there he meets some colorful locals and pursues a dormant desire to become a movie star - but never can quite put the past behind him. In this meditation on love and narcissism across continents, Jérôme goes far in the sun-drenched City of Angels but ultimately arrives at an old Hollywood maxim: there's no place like home. Written by anonymous.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 468
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, sexy, offbeat, sexual, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
The Houseboy (2007)
Plot Summary:
Distraught after he overhears his two 30-something lovers talking about finding a new "toy" to replace him, young Ricky looks for love through a series of random sexual encounters while house-sitting for the couple over the Christmas holidays. Meanwhile, he contemplates suicide. But when Ricky meets a compassionate new friend, he may be experiencing the sparks of real love in this compelling and sexy gay drama.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 736
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: captivating, psychological, sentimental, emotional, sensual, touching, serious, realistic, sexual, surprise ending
Similar in 82%
3-Day Weekend (2008)
Plot Summary:
Long-term couple Simon and Jason, along with daddy-ish Cooper and his boy du jour, escape to a mountain cabin for a three-day weekend away from their hectic city lives. Looking to spice up this long-standing tradition, they add a special twist to this years retreat - each of them must invite one attractive single friend to their mountain getaway.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 929
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, sexy, sexual, sex comedy, queer cinema
Similar in 88%
Race You to the Bottom (2005)
Plot Summary:
Nathan and Maggie are in the throes of a passionate affair. They're young, good-looking, and both have boyfriends. When Nathan is assigned to write a travel article on romantic hot-spots in Napa Valley, these unconventional lovers test the limits of the sensuality and fantasy that bond them.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 438
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, touching, serious, independent film, contemplative, semi serious, sexual, sexy
Similar in 81%
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008)
Plot Summary:
As Noah and Wade prepare to marry in Martha's Vineyard, the personal problems of their friends - and the unexpected arrival of rapper Baby Gat - threatens to permanently end their relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 888
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, crying, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
Whirlwind (2007)
Plot Summary:
A hot, young and charming man with ulterior motives enters the lives of a tight-knit group of gay men in New York City and at first adds excitement and intrigue to their group, but events soon spiral out of control as he deliberately attempts to destroy their relationships.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 542
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: realistic, psychological, captivating, sexy, sincere, serious, gloomy, sexual, emotional
Similar in 78%
Looking (2014)
Plot Summary:
Three friends in San Francisco who explore the fun and sometimes overwhelming options available to a new generation of gay men.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sincere, humorous, semi serious, realistic, clever, funny, emotional, saga, mumblecore, sitcom
Similar in 81%
Slutty Summer (2004)
Plot Summary:
Hunky writer Markus returns home to find his boyfriend of four years naked with another man. Newly single, he begins waiting tables at a swinging Chelsea hotspot where the indelible supporting cast of co-workers offers conflicting directions on the off-road map to love and lust in New York City. Peter insists on holding out for "the one", and Marilyn vows by her "dating commandments." Meanwhile, lascivious Luke promises the film its title by delivering firecracker quips on the joys of his sexcapades. He believes that sleeping around is the best medicine for a broken heart. Despite disillusion, Markus falls for gorgeous model Tyler who doesn't "do relationships" because how can you promise to love somebody forever? Surprising twists, and unlikely advice await, but by the end of one unforgettable SLUTTY SUMMER, happily ever after may just be the answer. Written.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 896
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: witty, semi serious, sentimental, humorous, independent film, realistic, sexual, crying, sex comedy, sexy
Similar in 75%
Heartstopper (2022)
Plot Summary:
Charlie, a highly strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...? Based on Alice Oseman's bestselling graphic novel series HEARTSTOPPER.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 73000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: captivating, psychological, disturbing, cute, teen, feel good, queer cinema, gay cinema, fun
Similar in 79%
Long-Term Relationship (2006)
Plot Summary:
Tired of the unsatisfying singles scene, Glenn (Matthew Montgomery) answers a personal ad and meets Adam (Windham Beacham), a handsome Southern man seeking a long-term relationship. The two hit it off immediately, but their initial attraction is soon put to the test. Glenn's gay friends say he'd be happier playing the field again, but his straight pals encourage him to work at the budding relationship in director Rob Williams's romantic comedy.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 985
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: semi serious, sentimental, humorous, realistic, romantic, romantic comedy, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
The Art of Being Straight (2008)
Plot Summary:
A sexy, comedic drama about two college friends questioning their careers and sexuality in east Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 704
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 67 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, semi serious, sexy, uplifting, clever, sexual
Similar in 79%
Sugar Rush (2005)
Plot Summary:
Sugar Rush is an Emmy Award–winning British television comedy drama series developed by Shine Limited and broadcast by Channel 4, based on the Julie Burchill novel of the same name. It is centred around the life of a 15 year old lesbian Kim Daniels who at the beginning of series one moves from London to Brighton on the south coast of England.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, semi serious, romantic, teen, dark comedy, clever, feel good, humorous, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
Will & Grace (1998)
Plot Summary:
Will Truman and Grace Adler are best friends living in New York, and when Grace's engagement falls apart, she moves in with Will. Together, along with their friends, they go through the trials of dating, sex, relationships and their careers, butting heads at times but ultimately supporting one another while exchanging plenty of witty banter along the way.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Comedy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, feel good, realistic, stylized, witty, talky, semi serious, light, hilarious
Similar in 86%
Noah's Arc (2005)
Plot Summary:
Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay bashing. It ran from October 19, 2005, to October 4, 2006. After its cancellation, a film was produced entitled Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, which was released theatrically in 2008.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, sincere, sitcom, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 81%
Queer as Folk (1999)
Plot Summary:
Queer as Folk is a 1999 British television series that chronicles the lives of three gay men living in Manchester's gay village around Canal Street. Both Queer as Folk and Queer as Folk 2 were written by Russell T Davies. The first series was re-shown on More 4 between 14 and 18 October 2007, as part of Channel 4's 25th-birthday celebrations. Queer as Folk was produced by the Red Production Company for Channel 4. The title of the programme comes from a dialect expression from some parts of Northern England, "there's nowt so queer as folk", meaning "there's nothing as strange as people"; which is a word play the modern day English synonym of "queer", meaning homosexual. Davies had originally titled the series this, although at the suggestion of Channel 4 executives for a period during its development and pre-production it was known as Queer as Fuck, before it reverted to the former name.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 48 min
Plot tags: controversial, sensual, sexual, erotic, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, sex comedy
Similar in 90%
Lip Service (2010)
Plot Summary:
Lip Service was a British television serial drama portraying the lives of a group of lesbians living in Glasgow, Scotland. Production on the show, which stars Laura Fraser, Ruta Gedmintas and Fiona Button, began in summer 2009 in Glasgow. The show debuted on BBC Three on 12 October 2010. Filming on a second series was confirmed in late 2010, with filming beginning on 30 May 2011. The second series aired on BBC Three from 20 April 2012. In January of 2013, shows creator, Harriet Braun, announced that BBC Three cancelled the series without explanation.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: realistic, sincere, sexy, semi serious, erotic, sexual, dark, deep, sensual, talky
Similar in 90%
Queer as Folk (2000)
Plot Summary:
Brash humor and genuine emotion make up this original series revolving around the lives, loves, ambitions, careers and friendships of a group of gay men and women living on Liberty Avenue in contemporary Pittsburgh, PA. The show offers an unapologetic look at modern, urban gay and lesbian lives while addressing the most critical health and political issues affecting the community. Sometimes racy, sometimes sensitive and always straight to the heart.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 47 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sincere, realistic, sexual, sexy, erotic, dramatic, controversial, sensual
Similar in 82%
South of Nowhere (2005)
Plot Summary:
South of Nowhere is an American teen drama television series created by Thomas W. Lynch. Aimed primarily at teenagers, it first aired on November 4, 2005 and was one of six original series on The N. The second half of the third and final season aired October 10, 2008 and the final episode aired on December 12, 2008. Live webisodes were also created to accompany each episode in the season 2 storyline, and were seen exclusively through The N's website on the Click. The show follows the lives of the members of the Carlin family as they adjust to moving from Ohio to Los Angeles, California. One of the main focuses include the relationship between Spencer Carlin and her bisexual friend, Ashley Davies. The close friendship between Ashley and Spencer led Spencer to question her own sexuality, a subject which created controversy before the show first aired. It was the first series on The N to deal with such a subject relating to the primary characters, and the first television show ever to have non-heterosexual teenagers as the top-billed characters.South of Nowhere has received outstanding reviews from TV Guide, The Boston Tribute, New York Post, New York Daily News, Entertainment Weekly, and Variety.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, humorous, serious, teen, cult classic, captivating, queer cinema, corny
Similar in 88%
Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Plot Summary:
Set in the 1890s, Tipping the Velvet tells the lesbian love affair between male impersonator music hall star Kitty Butler and Nan Astley.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 177 min
Plot tags: costume drama, touching, sexy, serious, realistic, stylized, erotic, historical drama, romantic, emotional
Similar in 77%
Desperate Housewives (2004)
Plot Summary:
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama-mystery series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. It aired Sundays at 9 P.M. Eastern/8 P.M. Central, on ABC from October 3, 2004, until May 13, 2012. Executive producer Cherry served as showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season included Bob Daily, George W. Perkins, John Pardee, Joey Murphy, David Grossman, and Larry Shaw. The main setting of the show was Wisteria Lane, a street in the fictional American town of 'Fairview' in the fictional 'Eagle State'. The show followed the lives of a group of women as seen through the eyes of a dead neighbor who committed suicide in the very first episode. The storyline covers thirteen years of the women's lives over eight seasons, set between the years 2004–2008, and later 2013–2017. They worked through domestic struggles and family life, while facing the secrets, crimes and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their — at the surface — beautiful and seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood. The show featured an ensemble cast, headed by Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp, and Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis. Brenda Strong narrated the show as the deceased Mary Alice Young, appearing sporadically in flashbacks or dream sequences.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 137000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: witty, humorous, sexy, soap opera, sexual, stylized, exciting, cynical, biting, cliffhanger
Similar in 75%
The L Word (2004)
Plot Summary:
A group of lesbian friends struggle with romance and careers in Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious, sincere, erotic, lgbt cinema, dark, dramatic, grindhouse, sentimental, touching