5 Netflix shows to watch (and 2 to skip) if you like The Summer I Turned Pretty

Each summer, there’s a few standout shows that bring us all together as we binge-watch, and for the past two summers, one of those shows has been Amazon Prime Video’s breakout romantic teen drama The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Based on the trilogy of novels by Jenny Han, who also wrote the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, the series centers on Belly (Lola Tung), a teenager who spends each summer in a house on Cousins Beach with her mom’s best friend’s family, which includes her crush Conrad (Christopher Briney) and her best friend Jeremiah (Gavin Casalengo).

It’s the summer that changes everything, as the Fisher brothers each see Belly in a new light and she becomes entangled in a complicated love triangle, which gives her an evolving crash course on friendship and relationships. But what Netflix shows give the same feeling?

Netflix shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty

If you can’t get enough of The Summer I Turned Pretty and need some more young adult titles on your watch list, we’re share a few Netflix shows to check out and a couple that might not scratch the same itch, beginning below with XO, Kitty.

XO, Kitty

Watch! Obviously, as a spinoff of Han’s hit Netflix movie trilogy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, XO, Kitty is a must-watch for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty. When teen matchmaker Kitty enrolls in a new school in Korean to be closer to her boyfriend, she learns that love isn’t quite as simple as she once thought. XO, Kitty is much more fun and frothy than the Amazon drama series, but it hits all the same romantic, love-triangle notes for shippers.

Never Have I Ever

Watch! The Mindy Kaling co-created teen romantic comedy series Never Have I Ever takes a sitcom approach to the high school experience, but the series shares the same themes: grief, love triangles, complex mother-daughter bonds, complicated friendships, and the overall awkwardness of adolescence. If you need a few laughs after some of the darker parts of The Summer I Turned Pretty, give Never Have I Ever a watch (or rewatch!) on Netflix.

Emily in Paris

Skip! Let’s be clear: Emily in Paris isn’t to be skipped. As much as people like to trash the show, it’s excellent escapism. If you love a love triangle, this is the show for you. The romance and the awkward moments are all present, and you’ll be waffling back and forth between Gabriel and Alfie just like with Conrad and Jeremiah. But because it’s about adults and not teenagers, it’s probably not the show to watch for similar vibes to Summer.

Atypical

Watch! One of the most underrated Netflix original series of all time has to be the coming-of-age dramedy Atypical. The series follows 18-year-old Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), who’s on the Autism spectrum, as well as his dysfunctional family. Atypical might not have the aspirational beach setting complete with whimsical Taylor Swift songs, but both shows tackle the relatable aspects of teen relationships and family connections.

Ginny & Georgia

Watch! One of the most popular teen shows on Netflix, apart from Outer Banks, has to be Ginny & Georgia. The series mixes drama with comedy and romance, and while it doesn’t take place near the beach, it definitely strikes the same chord. Just like in Summer, viewers get wrapped up in the characters and hooked on all the twists and turns. Thankfully, Ginny & Georgia will be back for two more seasons on Netflix, so there’s no better time to catch up.

Heartstopper

Watch! Much more family-friendly than The Summer I Turned Pretty, Netflix’s Emmy-winning teen romantic dramedy Heartstopper shares the same passionate fandom. Also based on a series of best-selling books, the series made breakout stars of its leads and will also be back for two more seasons of butterflies-inducing moments in Nick and Charlie’s love story. If you’re a fan of one show, there’s a fairly good chance you’re a fan of the other.

Pretty Smart

Skip! Again, we have to say that Pretty Smart isn’t a skip altogether. The Emily Osment-led sitcom was dealt a pretty awful hand when it was released in October 2021, but it was still super charming. At the center of the series, two sisters wind up in a love triangle with the same guy. The bad news? Pretty Smart ends on a cliffhanger. While that shouldn’t stop anyone from watching this hidden gem, a multi-cam sitcom might not be what fans of Summer are looking for.

The Summer I Turned Pretty streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.