Pop Culture

14 Shows Like One Tree Hill

By Dear Media | December 23, 2024

If you’re like most of us here at Dear Media, we have a spot saved in our heart for teen dramas. Whether it’s the nostalgic 2000s energy or the juicy love triangles, we’re hooked no matter which era the show comes from! We also love that often these shows have LOTS of seasons, so it gives us plenty to binge for weeks on end.

However, at some point, that season finale (or abrupt cancellation) does come. When that happens, you’re left craving something new with all the same vibes. At least, this is how we felt after watching One Tree Hill! Did we simply rewatch it a few times? Uh . . . yes. But, at some point, we’re all wanting something different enough to be exciting but similar enough to still be a comfort show.

So, today, we’re sharing our favorite shows like One Tree Hill!

We’re all obsessed with the emotional storylines, nostalgic soundtrack, and relatable story arcs of One Tree Hill. It’s what we loved about teen dramas back in the day, and it’s still the reason we’re coming back for more! Of course . . . we probably don’t deal too much with teeny bopper problems like peer pressure, high school sports, and mean girl gossip, but we still love the juicy drama just the same. If this is what you crave, we have plenty more shows for you to check out! Here’s what you can put on your watchlist next:

But wait, what is One Tree Hill about?

One Tree Hill is a teen drama about kids growing up in Tree Hill, North Carolina. Half-brothers Lucas Scott (played by heartthrob Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (played by James Lafferty) struggle with their rocky relationship and strained family dynamics. Lucas lives with his single mother Karen Roe (played by Moria Kelly) while Nathan lives with their shared father Dan Scott (played by Paul Johansson).

What unites and divides these two brothers aside from blood? BASKETBALL. They’re both star players on different teams in Tree Hill . . . which adds for a lot of drama. The series features a strong female ensemble cast, adding plenty of additional drama. This includes Hilarie Burton as Peyton Sawyer, a brooding artist with a complicated love life; Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis, a spirited and ambitious cheerleader who becomes Lucas’s close friend and love interest; and Bethany Joy Lenz as Haley James, Lucas Scott’s best friend and Nathan Scott’s primary significant other throughout the series.

Over its nine seasons, One Tree Hill evolves from high school drama to adult challenges (all too real, right?), with the characters navigating love, loss, ambition, addiction, mental health, romance, and friendship, making it a beloved series for fans of emotional and engaging storytelling.

What Shows to Watch If You Like One Tree Hill

Beverly Hills, 90210

Like One Tree Hill, this show is named after where it takes place! A group of teens living in Beverly Hills, California deal with complex class and social issues, making the show a super engaging watch. Of course, you also have the classic teen drama themes of friendship, romance, family dynamics, and growing up.

Like One Tree Hill, Beverly Hills, 90210 starts when they’re in high school and stretches into young adulthood for more mature and complex conflicts as the characters age. It’s one of the reasons these two shows are so rewatchable!

Friday Night Lights

In small towns, high school football is ev-ery-thing, and that’s no different in the fictional village of Dillion, Texas where Friday Night Lights takes place. This show follows Coach Eric Taylor, his family, and the team’s players through the ups and downs of chasing victory both on and off the field. It’s packed with heartfelt moments, intense sports action, and tons of personal growth.

If One Tree Hill had you hooked with its mix of drama and heartfelt relationships, you’ll adore Friday Night Lights for its inspiring stories, complex characters, and the way it tackles real-life issues with a whole lot of heart. Plus, there’s just something about small-town vibes and the bonds that form through sports that makes it super special!

Vampire Diaries

If you want something with similar energy, but a little more . . . exotic . . . try Vampire Diaries. It’s a light fantasy teen drama that follows the life of Elena Gilbert, a high school girl who finds herself caught between two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore (juicy, right?). With thrilling adventures, epic love triangles, and plenty of supernatural twists, the show keeps you on the edge of your seat!

If you loved One Tree Hill, you’ll be obsessed with Vampire Diaries! Packed with drama, romance, and deep character bonds, it delivers everything OTH fans adore. Plus, you’ll get to experience the excitement of the supernatural world, making it an even more magical watch.

Outer Banks

Okay, is it required that teen dramas are named after the setting? No, but it’s definitely a trope that adds to the magic! Naming a show after its location almost gives the setting its own character. And, Outer Banks is no exception! Outer Banks is another town in North Carolina (like One Tree Hill) where a group of teens live, thrive, and struggle . . . but they’re not shooting hoops and parking. They’re treasure hunters!

Outer Banks follows a tight-knit group of teens called the Pogues as they try to find a legendary treasure linked to one of the main character’s missing fathers. Like OTH, there’s a lot of teen angst and a strong focus on relationships, but it also has heart-pounding chases, shocking secrets, and intense action. This show is an absolute rollercoaster!

Pretty Little Liars

Like the idea of the mystery in Outer Banks? Then you’ll love Pretty Little Liars! Four friends Aria, Hanna, Spencer, and Emily see their lives turned upside down when their queen bee, Alison, goes missing. Mysterious messages from an anonymous figure known as “A” start revealing their deepest secrets, leading them on a WILD journey of twists and turns, romance, and suspense.

If you loved One Tree Hill, you’ll be completely hooked on Pretty Little Liars! It brings all the drama, intense friendships, and romantic twists you adore plus a thrilling layer of mystery and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Plus, the fashion and style moments are to die for!

The O.C.

“O.C.” stands for Orange County, California were, you guessed it, this teen drama series takes place! A troubled teen named Ryan Atwood gets a second chance when he moves in with the wealthy Cohen family, creating a real fish-out-of-water story. Ryan’s arrival shakes things up, introducing us to a colorful cast of characters, including the lovable nerd Seth Cohen, the beautiful girl-next-door Marissa Cooper, and the fierce and fabulous Summer Roberts.

If you loved One Tree Hill, you’ll totally fall for The O.C. Like other shows similar to One Tree Hill, it delivers all the teen drama, romance, family dynamics, and intense friendships you love plus an extra dose of sunshine and beachy vibes!

Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County

If you end up getting totally obsessed with Orange County and Cali vibes from The OC, then you’ll definitely love a dose of REAL LIFE teenage probs. Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County is a reality TV series that follows a group of actual high school friends living in the dreamy coastal town of Laguna Beach, California. It’s all about the drama, romance, and friendships as they navigate the ups and downs of teenage life, with plenty of stunning SoCal beach views and glamorous parties!

Is it a classic teen drama? No, but it has the same energy and there’s a whole other layer of intrigue since these are real life teenagers! Oh, and once you binge all the episodes, the fun isn’t over, because the cast got back together for the Dear Media reunion podcast Back to the Beach!

And . . . even when you’re done with that, you can still see what’s happening in the life of the now grown Kristin Cavallari in her show Let’s Be Honest and rep the BTTB long sleeve shirt to remember all the good times watching “Laguna Beach!”

The Hills

Did you think that was all the content available from the Laguna Beach canon? NOPE! The Hills follows Lauren Conrad from the original show as she graduates from high school and moves to LA to chase her dreams of working in fashion and media. Along the way, we get to witness turbulent friendships, dramatic breakups, and jaw-dropping moments that come with living in the Hollywood spotlight.

Whitney Port is another big cast member in this series and you’ll 100% fall in love with her. Luckily, you can see where she is now by listening to her podcast With Whit!

Euphoria

We’ve brought up a lot of retro examples of shows similar to One Tree Hill, but if you’re looking for something modern, we recommend Euphoria! This is a bit heavier than OTC (okay, a LOT heavier), but you’ll love the boldness and intense drama of this series! It follows Rue Bennett, a teenager struggling with addiction and navigating the complexities of high school. The show dives into the dark side of themes like identity, love, friendship, and mental health. It’s an emotional rollercoaster filled with incredible performances, especially by Zendaya!

Gossip Girl

Here’s another option with plenty of mystery. An anonymous blogger known as Gossip Girl constantly exposes the glamorous lives of a group of elite teens in Gossip Girl. With juicy scandals, dramatic romances, and plenty of complicated conflicts, the series dives into the secrets and lies of Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, and their devious friends. This one is particularly bingeable because you SO BADLY want to figure out who Gossip Girl really is!

Want to hear from some real fans of Gossip Girl? Listen to this episode of Ride where they discuss this show that seriously captured all teens of its time!

Dawson’s Creek

Dawson’s Creek is a classic teen drama set in the quaint coastal town of Capeside. It follows the life of Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker, and his close-knit group of friends: the witty and charming Joey Potter, the lovable bad boy Pacey Witter, and the sophisticated new girl Jen Lindley. The show dives into their emotional journeys, friendships, and the ups and downs of teenage life, all with plenty of heartfelt moments and romantic entanglements.

Fans of One Tree Hill, you’ll absolutely adore Dawson’s Creek! It’s got all the drama, love triangles, and strong character relationships you crave, but with an extra dose of nostalgic 90s charm. Plus, the picturesque New England setting and relatable coming-of-age stories make it a must-watch!

Tell Me Lies

Tell Me Lies is a gripping drama that follows the intense and tumultuous relationship between Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco, which begins in college and spans over eight years. Set at Baird College in Upstate New York, the show explores the highs and lows of their romance, filled with secrets, emotional turmoil, and the struggle to break free from a toxic cycle.

If you enjoyed One Tree Hill, you’ll love the more modern Tell Me Lies for its deep emotional connections, complex characters, and dramatic twists. It’s a rollercoaster of love and heartbreak that will keep you hooked, just like OTH did! You can hear more about this series in this episode of Not Skinny But Not Fat!

Riverdale

Here’s another modern teen drama you’ll love if you like OTH. Riverdale is loosely (very loosely) based on the Archie comic series is a thrilling drama about a group of teens that navigate the mysteries and dark secrets of their seemingly idyllic town. With plenty of twists, love triangles, and WTF moments, Riverdale keeps you on the edge of your seat! Our friends at Not Skinny But Not Fat talk about Riverdale in this episode if you need more convincing!

Ginny & Georgia

Ginny & Georgia is a delightful dramedy that follows the lives of free-spirited Georgia Miller and her teenage daughter, Ginny, as they settle into a picturesque New England town. Determined to give her kids the stable life she never had, Georgia’s past secrets soon catch up with them. The show is full of heartwarming moments, witty humor, and plenty of drama as Ginny navigates high school and Georgia tries to keep their family together.

If you adored One Tree Hill, you’ll totally fall in love with “Ginny & Georgia”. It’s got all the teen drama, complex family relationships, and strong friendships you crave, but with a more lighthearted tone! If you fall in love, jump into the episode of Not Skinny But Not Fat called “Ginny & Georgia’s Creator, Sarah Lampert, Shares How the Netflix Show Got Made“!

There you have it! We hope these show recommendations fill your watchlist for the next few months. If you get through this whole list, you can definitely declare yourself as a “Pop Culture Expert” and should celebrate it with a commemorative sticker from this Dear Media set! Once you do finally watch through everything, come on back for more of our favorite shows: