If you're a fan of the sun-soaked, teen-driven drama "Outer Banks," you're in luck. There are plenty of shows that capture the same spirit of adventure, mystery, and youthful exuberance. Here are 15 TV shows that will scratch that itch and keep you entertained for hours on end.
One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is a classic teen drama that takes place in North Carolina, just like Outer Banks. It follows the lives of two brothers, Lucas and Nathan, and their group of friends as they navigate love triangles, sports, and family drama. While it can get melodramatic at times, it's a grounded and relatable show that will keep you invested in the lives of these young characters.The O.C.
The O.C. is a beachy, class-divided teen drama that owes a lot to Outer Banks. It follows Ryan Atwood, a troubled kid from the wrong side of the tracks, as he moves in with the wealthy Cohen family in Newport Beach, California. With its incredible soundtrack, beachy aesthetic, and endless existential drama, The O.C. is a go-to example of the 2000s era teen style.The Summer I Turned Pretty
If you're craving more juicy teen drama at the beach, The Summer I Turned Pretty may be right up your alley. Based on author Jenny Han's work, the show follows Belly, a teenage girl experiencing growing pains, as she navigates a love triangle between two brothers. It's a coming-of-age tale told through the lens of romance, and its depiction of girlhood appeals to teens and adults alike.Riverdale
Riverdale is a difficult show to compare to, not because it eschews pop culture references, but because it makes so many of them that the result is far beyond anything depicted in its source material. Technically an adaptation of the Archie comics, the ambitious CW series transforms into a musical series, a "Godfather" remake, a serial killer show, and many other modes over the course of seven seasons.Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars is a whole lot of fun, despite its convoluted plot and ridiculous plot twists. The show follows four former best friends as they reunite at the beginning of their junior year of high school and are forced to band together to track down someone named "A." While the mystery element doesn't always hold up, the fantastic chemistry between the four Liars and their hijinks make it worth watching.Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew is a supernatural show that veers at times into straight-up horror. Though it doesn't always work, the genre mishmash is appealing, and its TV precedents, from Veronica Mars to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, shine through. Kennedy McMann's prickly performance is the highlight of the show.Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer is a teen mystery series that was gone too soon, but it's worth watching. The show follows Jeanette and Kate, two Texas teens in the mid '90s, and provides salient commentary on the expectations placed on teen girls. It's equal parts frothy and intelligent, and a twisty character study.Elite
Elite is a Spanish teen drama that takes place at the upper-crust school Las Encinas. It follows three working-class students who get a scholarship to attend the school and is filled with all the craziness you'd expect from a teen drama, including murder-mystery mayhem. Clever flashbacks and flash-forwards keep audiences guessing.Summertime
Summertime is an Italian series that isn't particularly deep, but it's great for escapism. It takes the frothy relationship drama of shows like The O.C. and Dawson's Creek and transplants it to the Adriatic coast. The show tackles first love, the struggles of growing up, and maintaining relationships as circumstances change.The Wilds
The Wilds depicts teenagers on a beach under very different circumstances than the kids in Outer Banks, but if you're a fan of mysteries, you might want to check it out. The Prime Video series follows a group of eight girls on their way to a retreat in Hawaii for troubled young women, who are left stranded on an island and forced to fend for themselves.Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek is a classic teen series that follows Dawson, a filmmaking-obsessed teenager, and his relationships with his two best friends, Joey and Pacey. While it can be cheesy at times, it features a charming young cast and characters that are easy to love. The show strives to depict issues relevant to its teen viewers and takes high schoolers seriously.On My Block
On My Block follows four teens from a low-income neighborhood in Los Angeles as they navigate difficult social dynamics. It differs from Outer Banks in tone, oscillating between hilarious and heartbreaking as our teens find themselves at odds with the world around them. The show has a ton of heart and plenty of laughs.Looking For Alaska
Looking For Alaska is a Hulu adaptation of the novel by John Green. It follows Miles, a bookish teenager who worships the words of famous authors, as he enrolls at a boarding school in Alabama and meets friends The Colonel, Takumi, and the enigmatic Alaska. The show succeeds in depicting an ultimately unknowable young woman and the young man who has projected all his hopes and dreams on her.Surviving Summer
Surviving Summer didn't get the love it deserved when it premiered on Netflix in 2022. The teen series follows Summer Torres, a troublemaker who gets expelled from her high school in New York, as she is sent to Australia as punishment. She befriends a group of ambitious surfers and finds friendship, romance, and fun.Blood & Water
Blood & Water feels sort of like a cross between Elite and Pretty Little Liars, though its Cape Town setting gives it a unique perspective. The show centers on South African teen Puleng, who is committed to solving the mystery of her sister's disappearance and transfers to Fikile's school, an elite institution in Cape Town.
