Best tv shows like Dawson's Creek
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Dawson's Creek is an American teen drama television series created by Kevin Williamson which debuted on January 20, 1998, on The WB and was produced by Sony Pictures Television. Filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, at EUE/Screen Gems studios and on location around Wilmington, Southport, and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Many scenes were filmed at UNCW, including William Randall Library and Alderman Hall, which served as the facade of Capeside High School. Other college scenes in the fifth and sixth seasons were shot at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. It portrays the fictional lives of a close-knit group of teenagers through high school and college. The program, part of a new craze for teen-themed movies and television shows in America in the late 1990s, catapulted its leads to stardom and became a defining show for The WB. The series ended on May 14, 2003.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 44000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, realistic, teen, soap opera, light, sweet, sitcom, sex comedy, serious
Best tv shows and movies like Dawson's Creek (1998):
Similar in 77%
Beautiful People (2005)
Plot Summary:
Beautiful People is an American drama television series about a family that moves from New Mexico to The Big Apple to make a fresh start on their lives. The series aired on the ABC Family Network from August 8, 2005, to April 24, 2006, lasting sixteen episodes. Its executive producer was Paul Stupin, who played the same role for Dawson's Creek. Both Daphne Zuniga and Torrey DeVitto later appeared on the fifth and sixth season of One Tree Hill as major recurring roles, although they never shared any screen time.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 85%
Switched at Birth (2011)
Plot Summary:
The story of two teenage girls who discover they were accidentally switched as newborns in the hospital. Bay Kennish grew up in a wealthy family with two parents and a brother, while Daphne Vasquez, who lost her hearing at an early age due to a case of meningitis, grew up with a single mother in a working-class neighborhood. Things come to a dramatic head when both families meet and struggle to learn how to live together for the sake of the girls.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, sentimental, captivating, realistic, teen, light, nostalgic
Similar in 84%
Degrassi: Next Class (2016)
Plot Summary:
Follow a group of high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Degrassi Community School, a fictional school in Toronto, Ontario, as they encounter some of the typical issues and challenges common to a teenager's life.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, uplifting, emotional, sweet
Similar in 88%
When Hope Calls (2019)
Plot Summary:
The story of sisters Lillian and Grace who open an orphanage in the 1916 Western town of Brookfield. Caught between the traditions of cattle ranchers and the ambitions of a growing town, they strive to find romance and happiness while overcoming the challenges of helping the children in their care.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: light, sincere, sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, period drama
Similar in 77%
Heartbreak High (2022)
Plot Summary:
A fresh look at Hartley High over 20 years on. With her new friends - outsiders Quinni and Darren - Amerie must repair her reputation, while navigating love, sex, and heartbreak.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 77%
A Country Practice (1981)
Plot Summary:
A Country Practice was an Australian television drama series. At its inception, one of the longest-running of its kind, produced by James Davern of JNP Productions, who had wrote the pilot episode and entered a script contest for the network in 1979, coming third and winning a merit award. It ran on the Seven Network for 1,058 episodes from 18 November 1981 to 22 November 1993. It was produced in ATN-7's production facility at Epping, Sydney. After its lengthy run on the seven network it was picked up by network ten with a mainly new cast from April to November 1994 for 30 episodes, although the ten series was not as successful as its predecessor . The Channel Seven series was also filmed on location in Pitt Town, while, the Channel Ten series was filmed on location in Emerald, Victoria.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 673
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: medical drama, sincere, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 87%
Melrose Place (1992)
Plot Summary:
Melrose Place is an American primetime soap opera that aired on Fox from July 8, 1992, to May 24, 1999 for seven seasons. It follows the lives of a group of young adults living in a brownstone apartment complex on Melrose Place, in Los Angeles, California. The show was created by Darren Star for Fox and executive produced by Aaron Spelling for his company, Spelling Television. It is the second series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise. Season one and season two were broadcast on Wednesday at 9pm, after Beverly Hills, 90210. In 1994, for its third season premiere, the show moved to Monday at 8pm. The show had many cast changes during the run. Thomas Calabro was the only original cast member to remain on the series throughout its entire run. The show earned several Golden Globe nominations and placed #51 on Entertainment Weekly's "New TV Classics" list.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sexy, soap opera, captivating, sexual, telenovela, campy
Similar in 77%
Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)
Plot Summary:
Beverly Hills, 90210 followed the lives of a group of teenagers living in the upscale, star-studded community of Beverly Hills, California and attending the fictitious West Beverly Hills High School and, subsequently, the fictitious California University after graduation.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: romantic, sentimental, soap opera, realistic, teen, exciting, romantic drama, serious, uplifting, vintage
Similar in 75%
Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001)
Plot Summary:
The life of a group of adolescents going through the trials and tribulations of teendom at Degrassi Community School.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: teen, sentimental, realistic, touching, serious, tense, suspenseful, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 83%
You'll Get Over It (2002)
Plot Summary:
When Vincent finds himself a victim of outing in his high school, he must accept to live with the drastic changes it provokes, and redefine his relationships with his friends and family.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: France
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: touching, sexual, semi serious, sincere, disturbing, rough, humorous, realistic, sentimental, intellectual
Similar in 88%
Blue Citrus Hearts (2003)
Plot Summary:
A first love could quite possibly be the last for Sam, a Memphis teenager coming to terms with the romantic feelings he harbors for his best friend, Julian. Will the love he feels for this boy guide him through his struggles with his abusive father, ignorant girlfriend, and suicidal thoughts -- or will the conflict that his love for Julian stirs throughout his life prove to be more than one boy can handle?.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 315
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, crying, independent film
Similar in 83%
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 79%
School (2010)
Plot Summary:
9 "A" was an exemplary class, while their class teacher was Nosov Anatoly Germanovich - a strong and experienced teacher, recognized in 2009 as the Teacher of the Year. After his sudden illness, 9 "A" is left without a strong hand. The myth of the exemplary class is crumbling, discipline is cracking at the seams. Nosov's granddaughter, Anya Nosova, is perhaps the most difficult teenager of the school. A new student Ilya Epifanov provokes situations in which students manifest themselves from unexpected sides, turning upside down the usual idea of them as classmates and teachers. None of the teachers want to take on the class, which of the model has become the most difficult.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 920
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Russia
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: depressing, light, talky, brutal, gothic, atmospheric, ridiculous
Similar in 77%
Felicity (1998)
Plot Summary:
Felicity Porter decides to follow her long time crush to college in New York City.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, talky, sex comedy, teen, telenovela
Similar in 75%
Young Americans (2000)
Plot Summary:
Young Americans is an American television drama created by Steven Antin. The show debuted on July 12, 2000 on The WB network as a summer replacement for, and spin-off from, another Columbia TriStar Television production, Dawson's Creek. The series was originally ordered for the fall 1999-2000 season but was delayed due to unresolved matters between the ColumbiaTriStar and The WB. The main character, Will Krudski, was introduced late in season three of Dawson's Creek as a childhood friend of the group who has kept in contact with Pacey Witter. Will goes to Capeside to visit with old friends while on spring break. After briefly dating Andie McPhee he returns to Raleigh. The show explores themes of forbidden love, morality, social classes and gender roles.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, queer cinema
Similar in 88%
My So-Called Life (1994)
Plot Summary:
The life of a 15 year-old high school student, whose angst-ridden journey through adolescence, friendship, parents, and life teaches her what it means to grow up.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 912 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, serious, emotional, realistic, talky, teen, romantic, anime, clever
Similar in 78%
One Tree Hill (2003)
Plot Summary:
Set in the fictional small town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, this teen-driven drama tells the story of two half brothers, who share a last name and nothing else. Brooding, blue-collar Lucas is a talented street-side basketball player, but his skills are appreciated only by his friends at the river court. Popular, affluent Nathan basks in the hero-worship of the town, as the star of his high school team. And both boys are the son of former college ball player, Dan Scott, whose long ago choice to abandon Lucas and his mother Karen, will haunt him long into his life with wife Deb, and their son Nathan. Until now, Dan has managed to keep his two sons far from each other. But the past and present collide sharply when Tree Hill's basketball coach recruits Lucas for his team, much to the chagrin of Nathan and Daddy Dan. And the siblings natural rivalry only intensifies when they set their sights on the same girl, Peyton Sawyer. The residue of the past lingers far into the future for the residents of Tree Hill, even as a new generation is rising. Tree Hill follows the lives and loves of these two brothers, their friends and their family as they navigate high school, marriage, and finally... adulthood.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, touching, teen, soap opera, feel good, sweet, entertaining, action adventure
Similar in 86%
The Wonder Years (1988)
Plot Summary:
The Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Neal Marlens and Carol Black. It ran on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988, following ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII. The show achieved a spot in the Nielsen Top Thirty for four of its six seasons. TV Guide named the show one of the 20 best of the 1980s. After only six episodes aired, The Wonder Years won an Emmy for best comedy series in 1988. In addition, at age 13, Fred Savage became the youngest actor ever nominated as Outstanding Lead Actor for a Comedy Series. The show was also awarded a Peabody Award in 1989, for pushing the boundaries of the sitcom format and using new modes of storytelling. The series won 22 awards and was nominated for 54 more. In 1997, "My Father's Office" was ranked #29 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time, and in the 2009 revised list the pilot episode was ranked #43. The TV show is named after the band, The Wonder Years.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: touching, sitcom, sentimental, feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic, atmospheric, sweet, sensitive
Similar in 82%
The Carrie Diaries (2013)
Plot Summary:
Before she was a fashion icon, before her column in the New York Star, before Mr. Big, Carrie Bradshaw was an innocent 16-year-old girl living in suburban Connecticut.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, semi serious, humorous, erotic, teen, realistic, light, retro
Similar in 76%
Awkward. (2011)
Plot Summary:
An irreverent look at the conflict, chaos and humor that defines teenage life through the eyes of 15-year-old Jenna Hamilton whose life begins to change when a simple accident becomes an epic misunderstanding and is blown way out of proportion. Narration in the first-person voice of Jenna's blog posts captures the humor within the struggles and experiences everyone can relate to from their formative years.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, realistic, sitcom, teen, funny, romantic, captivating, entertaining, independent film
Similar in 90%
The O.C. (2003)
Plot Summary:
The series centers on Ryan Atwood, a troubled youth from a broken home who is adopted by the wealthy and philanthropic Sandy and Kirsten Cohen. Ryan and his surrogate brother Seth, a socially awkward yet quick-witted teenager, deal with life as outsiders in the high-class world of Newport Beach. Ryan and Seth spend much time navigating their relationships with girl-next-door Marissa Cooper, Seth's childhood crush Summer Roberts, and the fast-talking loner Taylor Townsend. Story lines deal with the culture clash between the idealistic Cohen family and the shallow, materialistic, and closed-minded community in which they reside. The series includes elements of postmodernism, and functions as a mixture of melodrama and comedy.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 95000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: touching, soap opera, witty, teen, exciting, entertaining, sad, anime, serious, realistic
Similar in 86%
Gossip Girl (2007)
Plot Summary:
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series, created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, originally ran on The CW for six seasons from September 19, 2007 to December 17, 2012. Narrated by the omniscient blogger "Gossip Girl," voiced by Kristen Bell, the series revolves around the lives of privileged young adults on Manhattan's Upper East Side in New York City.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 42 min
Plot tags: romantic, soap opera, talky, stylized, serious, witty, teen, erotic, sexy, intellectual
Similar in 86%
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 83%
The Fosters (2013)
Plot Summary:
Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, melancholic, teen, sincere, sex comedy, anime, hispanic, controversial, semi serious
Similar in 75%
Very Good Girls (2013)
Plot Summary:
Two New York City girls make a pact to lose their virginity during their first summer out of high school. When they both fall for the same street artist, the friends find their connection tested for the first time.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, teen, exciting, captivating, touching, sad, independent film, happy
Similar in 82%
How to Deal (2003)
Plot Summary:
Mandy Moore stars as Halley, a young hip high school student who's convinced true love doesn't exist based on the crazy relationships around her. Her mother is divorcing her father who is dating a younger woman Halley can't stand. Her crazed sister is planning a wedding but has second thoughts and her best friend has fallen madly in love for the first time leaving Halley to feel even more alone.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: romantic, sweet, sentimental, feel good, semi serious, teen, touching, humorous, realistic, light
Similar in 88%
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008)
Plot Summary:
Georgia Nicolson is fourteen, lives with nosey parents who don't understand her, an annoying three year old sister and has to wear a beret to school. She would, however, rather be blonde, have a smaller nose and a boyfriend. Revolving around her hilarious journal entries, prepare to be engulfed in the world of the soaring joys and bottomless angst of being a teenager.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Germany, UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: touching, teen, feel good, romantic, romantic comedy, humorous, sexy, realistic, heartbreaking, cute
Similar in 75%
The Art of Getting By (2011)
Plot Summary:
George, a lonely and fatalistic teen who's made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally, a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: feel good, independent film, semi serious, humorous, realistic, romantic, indie film, witty, teen, heartbreaking
Similar in 84%
After (2019)
Plot Summary:
A young woman falls for a guy with a dark secret and the two embark on a rocky relationship.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 63000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, emotional, light, atmospheric, touching, lyrical, erotic, saga, scenic
Similar in 82%
A Walk to Remember (2002)
Plot Summary:
When the popular, restless Landon Carter is forced to participate in the school drama production he falls in love with Jamie Sullivan, the daughter of the town's minister. Jamie has a "to-do" list for her life and also a very big secret she must keep from Landon.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 219000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, inspirational, tear jerker, sad, sentimental, emotional, sincere, dramatic, teen