7 Comfort TV Shows That Rival Gilmore Girls

Many people consider Gilmore Girls the perfect show to watch when you need a cozy feeling, particularly in the fall and winter. However, there are other shows that can be just as comforting, and for different reasons. Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, Gilmore Girls introduces us to Lorelai Gilmore (played by Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), in the charming small town of Stars Hollow.

For seven seasons, Gilmore Girls charmingly portrays the lives of Lorelai and Rory as they navigate life’s challenges, always supporting each other. It’s an ideal show to watch when you need a little comfort (despite a few frustrating plot points!), but there are other equally cozy and enjoyable series out there worth checking out.

Sweet Magnolias

Sweet Magnolias is a TV drama about love and life, created by Sheryl J. Anderson and inspired by the novels of Sherryl Woods. The show takes place in the charming town of Serenity, South Carolina, and centers around the lives of three close friends: Maddie (played by JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana (Brooke Elliott), and Helen (Heather Headley).

These three friends have been close since childhood, supporting each other through everything life throws their way—good times and bad. Now grown up, they navigate breakups, new relationships, career shifts, and family challenges, always leaning on each other. Like Gilmore Girls, Sweet Magnolias captures that cozy, small-town atmosphere.

Unlike shows like Gilmore Girls that center on mothers and daughters, Sweet Magnolias primarily focuses on the strong friendship between Maddie, Dana, and Helen. With a fifth season already in the works, it’s a great option for a feel-good show that’s still being made.

Parenthood

If you’re looking for a show about family life that’s heartwarming without being overly dramatic, check out Parenthood. Created by Jason Katims, the series is a comedy-drama inspired by the 1989 film of the same name, which featured stars like Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, and Dianne Wiest and was directed by Ron Howard.

The TV series Parenthood is set in Berkeley, California, and centers around the Braverman family – parents Ezekiel and Camille, and their grown children: Adam, Sarah, Crosby, and Julia. Each of these adult children has their own family and is dealing with their own unique challenges.

I’ve always been a bit surprised that Parenthood didn’t get the huge audience it deserved, even though critics really liked it. It’s definitely not a bad show, though! If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan like me, seeing Lauren Graham will instantly make you feel at home. And what I really love about Parenthood is how it balances funny moments with really heartfelt drama – it’s just a comforting show to watch.

Hart of Dixie

Created by Leila Gerstein, Hart of Dixie is a fantastic TV show from the 2010s that doesn’t get nearly enough recognition. The series centers on Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), a New York City doctor who doesn’t get the internship she wanted because she struggles connecting with patients. To make matters even more complicated, she receives surprising family news that turns her world upside down.

Zoe receives half of her father’s medical practice – a father she never knew – and relocates to the small town of Bluebell, Alabama. To maintain her share of the practice, she needs to attract 30% of the patients, which proves challenging. Coming from the city, Zoe’s personality and approach don’t quite mesh with the town’s local culture.

Let me tell you, Zoe’s romantic life gets seriously complicated! She starts falling for this handsome lawyer, George, but he’s already engaged to Lemon, and Lemon definitely doesn’t want Zoe around. Honestly, watching Hart of Dixie feels like slipping into a warm hug – it’s got that same cozy, small-town charm as Gilmore Girls, and it’s packed with both sweet romance and relatable family drama. It’s just a really comforting show to watch.

Firefly Lane

Firefly Lane is a Netflix drama series created by Maggie Friedman. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah and tells the story of Tully (Katherine Heigl) and Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke), two friends who have been close since they first met as teenagers when they became neighbors on Firefly Lane.

Tully and Kate shared a lifelong friendship, helping each other through all of life’s ups and downs, from their teenage years into adulthood. The series Firefly Lane tells the story of their bond by showing us their lives from when they were younger.

While Firefly Lane offers the cozy feeling of a comfort show thanks to the close relationship between its leads, it leans much more into dramatic storylines than Gilmore Girls. However, if you’re seeking a show that strikes a good balance between heartwarming moments and compelling drama, Firefly Lane is definitely worth watching.

One Day At A Time

Many people don’t realize how good the Netflix show One Day at a Time was, especially since it was canceled prematurely. While inspired by a 1975 sitcom of the same name, this version is quite different and centers around a Cuban-American family headed by Penélope, played by Justina Machado.

Penélope is a US Army veteran and mom to Elena (played by Isabella Gomez) and Alex (Marcel Ruiz). The show One Day at a Time centers on their everyday experiences, as well as the challenges they face, including Penélope adjusting to life after the military and coping with depression and PTSD. It also features her mother, Lydia (Rita Moreno), and her role in the family.

One Day at a Time skillfully blends humor and heartfelt moments, and it stands out from other family shows with its realistic portrayal of family relationships. The show doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues, but it does so while maintaining a warm, comforting feel and staying true to its characters and overall tone.

The Marvelous Ms. Maisel

As a critic, I often get asked if The Marvelous Ms. Maisel feels a bit like Gilmore Girls. And it’s easy to see why! Both shows share that same quick-witted energy and distinctive style – that’s because they both come from the brilliant mind of Amy Sherman-Palladino. But where Gilmore Girls felt contemporary, Maisel really leans into a different era, transporting us back to the vibrant late 1950s and early 1960s.

The series The Marvelous Ms. Maisel centers on Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a woman whose life is turned upside down when her husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), leaves her. Unexpectedly, Midge decides to become a stand-up comedian, a challenging path for a woman in the 1960s.

Many people now consider The Marvelous Ms. Maisel to be one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, and it’s highly praised for its clever writing, engaging stories, well-developed characters, and fantastic acting. While it’s distinct from Gilmore Girls, it shares a similar warm and inviting feeling, but excels in areas where Gilmore Girls wasn’t as strong.

Schitt’s Creek

Many people consider Schitt’s Creek to be one of the greatest and most comforting sitcoms ever made. Created by Eugene and Daniel Levy, the show centers around the incredibly wealthy Rose family – dad Johnny (Eugene Levy), mom Moira (Catherine O’Hara), son David (Daniel Levy), and daughter Alexis (Annie Murphy).

After losing all their money due to a dishonest business manager, the Rose family is forced to relocate to Schitt’s Creek, a small town and their only remaining possession. Now living in a rundown motel, they struggle to adapt to their new, much simpler life, and often clash with the town’s residents.

Schitt’s Creek is a rare sitcom where you can enjoy every single episode, and it consistently improved throughout its run. Many people find it to be a comforting show, thanks to its humor, relatable family relationships, and genuinely sweet moments. It’s often considered a more lighthearted and entertaining choice than Gilmore Girls.

2025-11-09 01:00