10 Shows Like The Summer I Turned Pretty On Prime Video

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Based on Jenny Han’s popular novels, The Summer I Turned Pretty quickly became a big success for Prime Video and has sparked a renewed interest in teen dramas. While teen dramas have always been around, this show stands out by focusing more on the relationships between characters than the typical challenges of high school. The Summer I Turned Pretty has moved beyond the usual teen drama formula, and that’s helped it become incredibly popular.

Although The Summer I Turned Pretty is a hugely popular teen drama right now, its success isn’t an isolated event. Teen dramas have been evolving for the past ten years, tackling more complex issues and creating more realistic characters. Prime Video has been a key part of this shift, with several shows – both before and after The Summer I Turned Pretty – influencing the genre. As a result, viewers have plenty of high-quality options that offer a similar feel to the hit series, sharing its modern and relatable perspective.

10. My Lady Jane

The Prime Video series My Lady Jane takes a fantastical spin on the true story of Lady Jane Grey (played by Emily Bader). It doesn’t prioritize historical accuracy, instead crafting a coming-of-age story centered around the relationships that define Jane’s life. Like TSITP, the show focuses on a young woman figuring out who she is and what she wants, all while dealing with complex romantic feelings and emotional miscommunications. These personal struggles take center stage, with bigger issues unfolding more slowly in the background.

9. The Vampire Diaries

Premiering in the early 2010s, The Vampire Diaries centers around Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her complicated relationships with the Salvatore brothers, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder). As Elena uncovers the supernatural secrets of her town, her life is turned upside down. While The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Life of the American Teenager (TSITP) have different settings, both shows revolve around a love triangle featuring two brothers competing for the same woman. Both series explore this dynamic in compelling ways, creating a lot of dramatic tension.

8. The Runarounds

The series The Runarounds follows a young band as they deal with relationships, dreams, and love at a pivotal time in their lives – right before they potentially make it big. While music is central to the show, it shares similarities with The Summer I Turned Pretty, particularly in how it focuses on characters going through significant changes. Like Belly in TSITP, the characters in The Runarounds are learning to navigate new experiences and grow up, making that transition a key part of the story.

7. 56 Days

Both 56 Days and The Summer I Turned Pretty deliver strong emotional experiences, even though they’re quite different shows. 56 Days, starring Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia, tells a story of a passionate relationship that quickly becomes a psychological thriller. The Summer I Turned Pretty focuses on Belly’s intense romantic connections with Conrad and Jeremiah, making those relationships the central focus of the entire series.

6. Cruel Intentions

The new series Cruel Intentions updates the classic ’90s film for a modern audience, setting the story on a college campus. It follows step-siblings Caroline and Lucien as they try to seduce the daughter of a college administrator after a prank goes wrong. Though Cruel Intentions is more dramatic than The Summer I Turned Pretty, both shows effectively explore powerful emotions and the complex forces that draw people together – and drive them apart. Both series focus on intense romantic tension, showing that attraction is only one part of a relationship.

5. One Tree Hill

Before shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty became popular, One Tree Hill was a defining teen drama of the 2000s. While the show features two half-brothers, Nathan and Lucas, the central romance isn’t about them competing for the same girl. Instead, One Tree Hill focuses on a love triangle between Lucas, Brooke, and Peyton for many seasons. The combination of this complicated romance, dramatic family issues, and messy relationships makes it clear why fans of One Tree Hill often enjoy The Summer I Turned Pretty.

4. Daisy Jones & The Six

The Prime Video series Daisy Jones & The Six is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s popular novel and tells the story of a fictional 1970s band as they create music and deal with complex relationships. Though seemingly different, Daisy Jones & The Six shares some similarities with The Summer I Turned Pretty. Both series are anchored by strong female leads – Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Belly – and focus heavily on the intense relationships these characters form, which drive the main storylines.

3. Maxton Hall: The World Between Us

Maxton Hall: The World Between Us is a German TV series adapted from Mona Kasten’s novel, Save Me. Set at an exclusive private school, the show centers on the connection between Ruby Bell, a student on scholarship, and James Beaufort, a wealthy classmate. While it has more dramatic moments than shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Maxton Hall shares a similar feel. Both series explore classic teen drama themes – longing, misunderstandings, and romance – but with a surprisingly intense edge.

2. The OC

Like The Summer I Turned Pretty, The OC is a classic teen drama from the 2000s with a similar stylish look. The show follows Ryan Atwood, a troubled teen who unexpectedly ends up living with a rich family in beautiful Newport Beach. It mixes typical teen drama with soapy storylines, offering a glimpse into the lives of Orange County’s elite. With romance, family issues, and a stunning setting, The OC clearly paved the way for shows like TSITP. The Summer I Turned Pretty wouldn’t have the same warm, nostalgic, beach vibe without the influence of The OC.

1. We Were Liars

Similar to shows with a summery, beachy feel and family conflicts, We Were Liars is based on the popular E. Lockhart novel. The series focuses on the wealthy Sinclair family and their summers at a beach house. While it shares some similarities with The Summer I Turned Pretty, We Were Liars adds a compelling mystery to the mix. Where TSITP builds tension through romantic relationships, We Were Liars excels at exploring complex family dynamics and secrets.

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2026-05-10 19:20