10 Shows Like Drake & Josh That Are Peak 2000s Comfort

When you think of classic 2000s Nickelodeon shows, Drake & Josh is undoubtedly one of the FIRST to come to mind. Aside from being one of the network’s highest-rated premieres, the series continues to garner consistent viewership even 2 decades later. And honestly, it’s easy to understand why. 

The balance of exaggerated humor, surprisingly heartfelt moments, relatable teen storylines—Drake & Josh effortlessly stood out from other early 2000s teen sitcoms. And fortunately, with Josh Peck’s Dear Media-produced podcast, Good Guys, we still get to see a LOT of that similar energy today. (Cue “REUNITED! Drake Bell on Touring, Fatherhood, & Life After Nickelodeon.”)

Naturally, though, one rewatch turns into five, and before you know, you’re searching for another show that captures that same magic. Here’s the good news: There are plenty of other series that deliver the same mix of chaotic sibling dynamics, upbeat comedy, and surprisingly wholesome moments. 

Below, we’re sharing all of the best shows like Drake & Josh to add to your next nostalgia-fueled binge-watch.

10 Shows Like Drake & Josh That Are Peak 2000s Comfort

In the early 2000s, Nickelodeon was no stranger to pumping out classic feel-good sitcoms. But there’s a reason Drake & Josh has remained a fan-favorite for the last 20 years! Ultimately, the series prioritized timeless sitcom elements that still resonate with audiences today. Think: fast-paced humor, exaggerated situations, and strong character relationships. 

In other words, we’re still laughing at “Hug me, brotha!” and shedding a tear at the infamous “Josh Is Done” episode. Of course, the show was well written. However, it was Drake Bell and Josh Peck’s authentic chemistry that turned even the most ridiculous storylines into something audiences genuinely cared about. (Learn more about their dynamic in our post: “You Knew Drake Bell Then—This Interview Shows Where the ‘Nickelodeon’ Star Is Now!”)

To help fill that nostalgic hole in your heart, we’ve got tons of shows like Drake & Josh that capture that same mix of humor, heart, and household chaos. But first, let’s revisit what the series was about to help spark your memory.

What Is Drake & Josh About?

Drake & Josh is a Nickelodeon teen sitcom that follows stepbrothers Drake Parker (Drake Bell) and Josh Nichols (Josh Peck) as they learn to share a room, navigate high school life in San Diego, and adjust to becoming an unexpected family.

Drake is your typical 2000s cool guy—laid-back, effortlessly charming, musically talented, and naturally popular. Josh, on the other hand, is the rule-following, straight-A student, and, at times, socially awkward polar opposite. As much as he tries to stay on the straight and narrow, he always finds himself right in the center of Drake’s chaos.

Despite their differences, Drake and Josh inevitably come extremely close. What begins as an awkward living arrangement gradually develops into a genuine brotherly relationship—which ultimately serves as the heart of the show. Feeling nostalgic yet? Tune into “Drake and Josh and Ben (Part 1)” and “Drake and Josh and Ben (Part 2),” where the duo sits down and talks for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The cast also includes Drake and Josh’s sister, Megan (Miranda Cosgrove), alongside Nancy Sullivan and Jonathan Goldstein as their parents, Audrey and Walter. Together, this group helped create the chaotic family dynamic that made the series such a standout Nickelodeon sitcom.

Don’t stop here, you’ve got episodes to add to your queue! Tune into “Josh and Helen REUNITE! with Yvette Nicole Brown,” and “Josh Met the Costco Guys?!”

Is Drake & Josh a Good Show?

Drake & Josh is widely considered one of the best Nickelodeon sitcoms of its era. The series aired for just over 3 ½ years, from January 2004 to September 2007, producing 4 seasons and 56 episodes. By 2006, it even averaged around 3 million viewers weekly. 

It doesn’t end there, though. The series generated two made-for-TV movies, including Drake & Josh Go Hollywood (2006) and Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008). And of course, viewership was still just as strong. Their second movie, specifically, at the time of its release, was the most-watched live-action television movie in Nickelodeon’s history.

Whether through social media clips, memes, or nostalgia-driven recaps, Drake & Josh continues to attract new audiences year after year. 

That said, Drake Bell has been an incredibly vulnerable advocate for his experience on the network through the recent documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. You can read more about this in our posts, “Drake and Josh Find the Bright Side of Their Nickelodeon Past” and “Drake Bell Interview: More Hidden, Painful Truths.”

However, in his Dear Media interview with Josh Peck, Drake himself said you should still watch Drake & Josh. He discusses how, ultimately, the magic of the series lies in their comedic timing, natural chemistry, and genuine friendship. (Listen to Drake Bell’s episode on Good Guys to hear the entire conversation!)

TL; DR—Drake & Josh IS a good show, and the actors are the exact reason it stands the test of time.

10 Shows Like Drake & Josh for Your Next Cozy Binge

iCarly

Where to watch: Paramount+, Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

If Megan Parker was your favorite part of Drake & Josh, iCarly should be your next watch. This Nickelodeon sitcom stars Miranda Cosgrove as Carly Shay, a teenager whose homemade web show unexpectedly turns her into an internet sensation. Alongside her best friends Sam Puckett (Jenette McCurdy) and Freddie Benson (Nathan Kress), the trio navigates school, friendships, and sudden online fame.

You can learn tons of BTS secrets in “Miranda Cosgrove Is Open to Getting Buzzed” from Good Guys! But ultimately, just like Drake & Josh, iCarly shares a similar tone, comedic style, and chaotic sibling dynamic.

Kenan & Kel

Where to watch: Paramount+, BET Plus, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Kenan & Kel is like a carbon copy of Drake & Josh, so this rec is a no-brainer. This Nickelodeon teen sitcom follows two high school best friends—Kenan (Kenan Thompson), who’s ambitious, logical, and grounded, and Kel (Kel Mitchell), who’s clumsy, comedic, and oblivious. Sound familiar? Ultimately, each episode follows Kenan’s “get-rich-quick” schemes, while Kel inevitably messes things up. 

Kenan & Kel have all the same characteristics fans LOVE about Drake & Josh. The night-and-day personalities, character-specific catchphrases, and unspoken rivalry? It’s all there. If you’re craving a similar vibe of humor, you have to tune into Tyler Chronicles’ episode of Let’s Try This Again!

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody

Where to watch: Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Something about lighthearted brotherly rivalry just makes for great TV, right? Fans of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody sure think so! (AKA, us and the rest of the world.) This Disney live-action teen sitcom follows twin brothers, Zack and Cody Martin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse), who live in the upscale Tipton Hotel. And that’s one of the least interesting things about the series. 

Complemented by an iconic cast (like Kim Rhodes, Brenda Song, and Ashley Tisdale), the boys have nothing but time and space to cause chaos. And, just like Drake & Josh, The Suite Life has that same opposites-attract kind of structure. The sibling fights are hilarious, the mom-talks are tear-inducing, and the emotional moments hit just as hard as the punchlines.

Tune into “Suite Life, Sandwiches, and Sapiosexuals with Dylan Sprouse” and “Back in Bed with Dylan Sprouse” from Live in Bed for recent updates on this Suite Life star!

Zoey 101

Where to watch: Paramount+, Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Zoey 101 is a Nickelodeon dramedy that follows Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears) and her younger brother, Dustin, as they embark on a new chapter at Pacific Coast Academy (PCA). Throughout the show, we get to see Zoey (and her friend group) handle the trials and tribulations of, well, adolescence. Think: independence, romance, academics, and peer pressure. 

Just like Drake & Josh, this series features that iconic comedic style that OG Nickelodeon fans love so much. Beyond that, though, we also get the younger-annoying-sibling dynamic, quirky characters, and endlessly iconic pranks. 

Dive a little deeper into this series by tuning into “Alexa Nikolas: What Really Happened on the Set of Zoey 101” from Real Pod!

Big Time Rush

Where to watch: Apple TV & Amazon Prime Video

Big Time Rush is a musical comedy Nickelodeon series that follows four best friends—Kendall Knight, James Diamond, Carlos Garcia, and Logan Mitchell. While they were originally average hockey players in Minnesota, their lives transformed after being discovered by a music producer. Throughout the show, we see what it’s like to go from ordinary teens to uber-famous pop stars.

Big Time Rush honestly has a lot in common with Drake & Josh—aside from the whole guitar-playing thing. Both series center on high-energy humor, over-the-top storylines, menacing supporting characters, and vastly different personalities who fit together just right.

Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide

Where to watch: Paramount+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide is a live-action Nickelodeon comedy that follows Ned, Moze, and Cookie, three friends who navigate the everyday struggles of middle school. But unlike similar series in its genre, Ned’s Declassified takes a unique approach. More specifically, Ned spends each episode breaking the fourth wall to give viewers “tips and tricks” on surviving middle school.

Think: dealing with bullies, timing haircuts, seasonal dressing, and making new friends. Honestly, it’s seriously relatable—even as an adult binge-rewatching! Like Drake & Josh, Ned’s Declassified has that same slapstick comedy and lighthearted tone that defined early 2000s culture.

Victorious

Where to watch: Paramount+, Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Victorious is a Nickelodeon sitcom that follows Tori Vega (Victoria Justice), an aspiring singer who attends Hollywood Arts High School. At this performing arts school, Tori navigates friendships, romance, and wild adventures among a cast of equally eccentric teens. And by teens, we mean legendary cast members like Leon Thomas III, Elizabeth Gillies, Ariana Grande, and Avan Jogia. (Hugely successful line-up, here.)

Victorious isn’t “just similar” to Drake & Josh—it’s actually confirmed that they exist in the same universe. Helen is the vice principal, Drake Bell makes appearances, and the Victorious characters periodically watch (and reference!) Drake & Josh. It’s an instant must-watch for OG fans. 

If you haven’t yet, tune into “Dove Cameron Isn’t Goth, She Just Grew Up” from Not Skinny But Not Fat. Dove talks to Amanda about her and Avan Jogia’s new series, 56 Days.

Life with Derek

Where to watch: The CW, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video

Life with Derek is an early 2000s sitcom that follows Casey and Derek, two step-siblings who are constantly at odds. Casey used to rule her house, Derek used to rule his—you can imagine the power struggles at play. However, in between pranks, sibling wars, and totally different personalities, Derek and Casey do actually care for each other. 

Life with Derek is essentially Drake & Josh if one of them were a girl. It has the polar-opposite personalities, forced-step-sibling dynamics, and secret loyalty beneath not-so-secret resentment. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and, honestly, pretty relatable. 

Craving a little more of this? Check out our post on other series about family dramas!

That’s So Raven

Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

That’s So Raven is a Disney Channel sitcom that follows Raven Baxter, a high schooler with hidden psychic abilities. While episodes center around her visions of the future, they also deliver plenty of physical comedy, chaotic schemes, and relatable teenage situations that rarely go according to plan. 

Like Drake & Josh, this series truly defined early 2000s culture. The level of comedy, elaborate, over-the-top plots, and strong bonds basically built That’s So Raven. And they’re also a driving force behind the recent reboot, Raven’s Home. 

You can learn plenty more about their similarities in “That’s SO Raven and Miranda” from Good Guys! (It’s like the adultified Disney x Nickelodeon crossover you never knew you needed.)

Hannah Montano

Where to watch: Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV

Miley Stewart isn’t just a regular teen—she’s a teen who lives a double life as the iconic pop star, Hannah Montana. In this Disney Channel series, Miley balances an average high school life with performing at sold-out arenas. All she has to do is pop on that blonde wig, and her carefully constructed double life remains intact. (Most of the time, at least). 

While Hannah Montana swaps stepbrother chaos for secret pop-star shenanigans, both shows capture the same lighthearted, feel-good energy that defined 2000s teen TV. Between the family dynamics, school-life storylines, and constant comedic mishaps, fans of Drake & Josh will feel right at home. 

Scratch your deep dive itch by reading our post, “What Happened to Miley Cyrus’ Family?” Also, don’t forget to tune into “Tish Cyrus: Prioritizing Peace” from The Squeeze.

Tired of rewatching Drake & Josh? Tune into these similar recommendations for all the same nostalgic feels!

It’s no secret that Drake & Josh was a total FORCE in early 2000s television. The undeniable chemistry, perfectly-timed comedy, and relatable storylines made it an easy fan-favorite. However, that love still lives on today! So much so that fans are seeking similar TV series decades later with the same level of charm, comedy, and emotional connection that made the OG series so memorable. And now, you have plenty of options to choose from!

Craving more posts like this? Head to Dear Media, where you can find everything from shows like Gilmore Girls to shows like Love Island! (We keep it broad here.) Also, don’t forget to check out our incredible lineup of Dear Media podcast hosts, who are always serving up conversations you definitely won’t want to miss. 

Speaking of things you don’t want to miss… Have you gotten your tickets for Dear Media IRL?! From health and wellness to pop culture and relationship advice, we’re bringing all of your favorite hosts to a city near you. Check it out before you miss out!