10 Shows Like Outer Banks: Coastal Thrills and Unhinged Drama

When we’re not binge-watching Outer Banks, we’re looking for shows LIKE Outer Banks. As one of Netflix’s most popular series, this show has a cult-following for a reason. The intense emotions, high-stakes drama, tight-knit relationships, and classic coming-of-age moments—we’re totally here for it. (And we’re definitely here for “Beyond Pope: Jonathan Daviss on Growth, Fame, & Still Becoming” from What’s Your Spark?)

It’s no secret that Outer Banks essentially redefined action-adventure mystery teen dramas. We’ve seen similar storylines before, in shows like Yellowjackets or Lost, but they’re… different. Outer Banks has a unique vibe, blending high-stakes storylines with a relaxing, sun-soaked coastal town. It naturally has fans questioning: “ARE there any shows like Outer Banks?”

You’re in luck—that’s exactly what we’re covering today. In this post, we’re sharing all of the best shows like Outer Banks. Think: confusing love stories, jaw-dropping drama, and edge-of-your seat anticipation. Slip into something cozy and grab your popcorn, it’s time to get binge-watching.

10 Shows Like Outer Banks: Coastal Thrills and Unhinged Drama

There’s a little bit of everything in Outer Banks, which is why so many people love it. Of course, there are the cutesy love triangles and parent versus moody teen conflicts.(Could’ve used this episode of Raising Good Humans about temperament and parenting.) BUT, there’s also moral dilemmas, life-on-the-line realizations, and a heavy dose of “too close to home” energy. 

Although it is technically a “teen drama,” it has definitely found a way to hook viewers of ALL ages. But did you expect any less from a show that makes regular, small town life feel like an adrenaline-pumping adventure? 

Before we dive into our roundup of shows that hit that same sweet spot, let’s have a short-but-sweet Outer Banks recap. Once you reminisce on this show, it’ll get you even more excited for the recommendations to come.  

What Is Outer Banks About?

Outer Banks is an action-adventure mystery teen drama set against the backdrop of Kildare Island—a small town inspired by the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The show begins by following the life of the lower-class, rowdy “Pogues”—Kiara (played by Madison Bailey), JJ (played by Rudy Pankow), and John B (played by Chase Stokes). 

This close-knit group of friends has two goals in mind. One: Stay away from the wealthier “Kooks” that live on the opposite side of the island. HUUUGE divide here. Two? Find the long-lost treasure possibly linked to John B’s missing father. NBD! But when once-Kook-now-Pogue Sarah Cameron (played by Madelyn Cline) falls in love with John B, Things get messy. 

The entire show follows these 5 teens, honestly, across the world. They’re on the hunt to find missing treasure, uncover the island’s secrets, and simultaneously not lose sight of what’s MOST important—each other. At its core, though, Outer Banks is full of lots of loyalty and just as much survival. And, fictional show or not, “How to Build Your Best Friendships” from Transform could teach everyone a thing or two about authenticity and loyalty. 

But what makes it SO addicting? It’s fast-paced, emotional, and genuine. There’s the thrill from hidden secrets and dangerous escapades, but then there’s real moments of vulnerability and growth. Each episode feels fresh, energetic, and totally unpredictable. 

Now that we’ve covered that, are you ready to find your new fave series? Here are the shows like Outer Banks we recommend adding to your “next up” list—all full of action, romance, and rebellion.

What Shows To Watch If You Like Outer Banks

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

This series, based on a Jenny Han book trilogy, follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin, an average teen and love triangle enthusiast. Belly spends every summer in Cousins, a fictional beach town in New England, with her mom, her mom’s best friend Susannah, and Susannah’s sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. 

Except there’s one small problem: Belly is in love with both of the brothers. Or… was. Is? Yeah, it’s confusing. Like Outer Banks, this series explores a regular teen navigating complicated feelings, family drama, and first loves. And now that the last season’s out, it’s a TOTAL must-watch. Unless you already have—in that case, check out “Shows Like The Summer I Turned Pretty!”

Also, don’t miss out on “A Girl-Chat Special: The Summer I Turned Pretty” from The Squeeze. Taylor Lautner (and friends) make this recap feel like your casual, everyday girls’ chat. 

Surviving Summer

Where to watch: Netflix

Life is not easy for rebellious New York teen Summer Torres. After she got kicked out of high school, her mom sent her off to stay with a family friend in Australia. As you can imagine, things are a little rocky at first—and her behavior? Not any better. 

At first, she was just doing whatever she had to do to make it back to Brooklyn at the end of summer. However, slowly but surely, she starts to find herself. She begins to deal with things, address her problematic behavior—the whole nine. Suddenly, Summer went from surviving to thriving… (Get it?) Just like Outer Banks, Surviving Summer has that beachy, feel-good vibe we’re all craving.

Riverdale

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

Riverdale is a teen drama based on Archie Comics characters, including Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead as they discover dark secrets and supernatural threats about their small town of Riverdale. It starts as a murder mystery as the characters try to find out how Jason Blossom died, but what they discovered snowballed into something much, much bigger.

Think small-town vibes, but with PLENTY of edge. Everyone grew up together and knows each other, but they definitely aren’t all friends. Like Outer Banks, it’s got a sense of mystery that keeps you guessing till the very end. 

Who better to hear about the show from than the iconic Betty Cooper? Make sure to check out “Lili Reinhart: Riverdale, Mental Health, & Personal Day” with Not Skinny But Not Fat.

Pretty Little Liars

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

Pretty Little Liars is an OG teen drama, and it will forever be an icon in our hearts. The series follows a group of best friends as they take on highschool together. And given their loyalty to each other, they had to have listened to “The Power of Female Friendship” from Girls Gotta Eat. Oh wait, we forgot to mention: one night during a sleepover, 1 of the 5 friends mysteriously goes missing. 

A year after her disappearance, the other 4 girls suddenly start getting weird, threatening messages from someone signed “A.” And we don’t mean text messages—we mean notes on foggy bathroom mirrors and sketchy boxes at their front doors. It’s not all cliffhangers and secrets, though—it features fierce loyalty, first-time loves, and lots of self-discovery. 

Obsessed with the cast as much as we are? Tune into “Pretty Little Liars’ Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer’s PCOS Journey: Hormones, Hollywood, & Heartbreak” from SHE MD. Also, you don’t want to miss Lucy Hale discussing skincare and routines on Breaking Beauty!

Elite

Where to watch: Netflix

Elite is a Spanish teen drama that combines the glitz and glam of a wealthy private school with allll those dark secrets and gripping mysteries we’re on the hunt for. It follows three working-class teens who, after receiving a scholarship to said exclusive private school, realize it’s not quite all it was cut out to be.

There’s a murder mystery, drug use, class conflict, and lots of cultural differences. Sooo not quite as PG-13 as Outer Banks may be, but definitely encapsulates the same sort of vibe. This episode of The Bossticks doesn’t quite feel as lighthearted as a teen drama, but it definitely touches on similar topics. It’s a must-listen if stories of survival, perseverance, and cultural differences pique your interest. 

The Society

Where to watch: Netflix

Imagine one day you took a field trip, something low-key traumatic happened, and after returning home you realize that something was… different. You’re still a wealthy teen living in a small New England town—no worries there. However, there are no adults, no contact with the outside, and you have to essentially start your own society. 

Yep, that’s exactly what The Society is in a nutshell. Think Outer Banks, except that themes like leadership and survival are taken to a whole new extreme. The power struggles keep it intense, but the friendships keep things grounded. 

Friday Night Lights

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Okay, we know we said PLL was an OG teen drama, but that was before we remembered Friday Night Lights existed. This series is set in Dillion, Texas, and focuses on a small-town football team. You may be thinking… “That’s it?” But there’s SO much to it.

Think of it as your new feel-good show. It explores tons of relatable themes, like social dynamics, hope, and sacrifice. And honestly, Friday Night Lights is pretty heartfelt. It will have you channeling a lot of those “every moment matters” emotions—and that’s exactly why we love it. 

The O.C.

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

Ugh, yet another gem of a TV show that we can’t rave enough about. The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, another rebellious and troubled teen who just can’t seem to get sh*t together. But as Ryan was adopted by a wealthy public defender, he went from poverty to wealth overnight. 

As you can imagine, this was a pretty significant culture shock. To be more specific, The O.C. dives deep into class divides and different social worlds—much like Outer Banks does! There are juicy secrets, that iconic beach town setting, and lots of unforgettable characters. 

Already watched this series too many times to count? We get it, trust us. That’s why we created a roundup of shows like The O.C.! So long as we’re here, you’ll never run out of things to watch.

Gossip Girl

Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

Were we all raising eyebrows at how high schoolers were sipping dirty martinis on a Tuesday night? Without needing fakes? And without having a curfew? Yes. But did that stop us from binge-watching this ICONIC teen drama? Absolutely not. Life for this group of Upper East Siders is something that feels like it literallyonly exists on screen. Seriously, just listen to “CARPOOL: Gossip Girl” from Ride to get a quick overview on all GG’s legendary moments.

It’s glamorous, luxurious, filthy rich, and super toxic—right up our alley. The series follows 5 OG teens as they navigate social hierarchies, class statuses, and intense dynamics. Sometimes it’s about designer bags, other times it’s about mysterious deaths—they have it all. Tune into “Gossip Guys with Chace Crawford” from Good Guys to hear about his BTS experience!

If you can’t get enough of Gossip Girl, been there, done that. That’s why we’ve put together “Shows Like Gossip Girl” AND “Shows About Rich People.” Take your pick!

The Wilds

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video

If you were a fan of the hit TV show Lost, keep that vibe in your mind, but make it a bit more modern and centered around teen girls. The Wilds follows a group of teenagers who, after their plane crashes, are now stranded on an island together. 

The thing is, though, they’re ALSO stranded with Gretchen Klene—a scientist who wants to test her hypothesis about whether women are capable of leading a group of people. Did we mention the plane crash was just a social experiment? Yeah, a lot to unpack here. It gives other shows like Outer Banks a run for their money.

Is Outer Banks Rated PG-13?

No, Outer Banks is NOT rated PG-13—it’s rated TV-MA! If you don’t know what this means, a TV-MA rating stands for “Mature Audience Only,” deeming it unsuitable for children under 17. That means you can expect things like graphic violence, strong language, or explicit sexual content or nudity. In Outer Banks specifically, you also have factors like underage drinking and drug use.

In retrospect, it’s definitely much tamer than it sounds. The series blends heart-to-hearts, comedy, and a sense of realism into every season. Nonetheless, if you have younger kids? Maybe watch it before you recommend it!

Outer Banks Season 5 Release Date

The burning question: When is season 5 of Outer Banks coming out? We don’t have a specific release date yet, but we do know that S5 will be expected to release in late summer or early fall of 2026. We also know from co-show runners, Shannon Burke, Josh Pate, and Jonas Pate, that season 5 will be Outer Banks‘ LAST season. Yeah, super big bummer.

But don’t feel too down! Now you have a list of shows like Outer Banks to add to your “Must Watch” list. And we’re not done yet. Here’s what to watch AFTER Outer Banks:

What to Watch After Outer Banks

Craving shows like Outer Banks to watch while you wait for the final season? We have just the thing:

Bloodline

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

Bloodline is a psychological thriller that follows the Rayburns, a notable family in the Florida Keys, whose lives turn upside down when the “black sheep brother,” Danny, comes home. The original four siblings, John, Danny, Kevin, and Meg, owners of a seaside inn, have the picture-perfect life. At least until Danny comes back and threatens that storyline with paranoia and mistrust.

Like Outer Banks, Bloodline follows deep, dark tensions surrounding class divides and edge-of-your-seat storylines. However, it’s also a little darker, gloomier, and more thrilling. In other words, consider it Outer Banks’ older sister.

Locke & Key

Where to watch: Netflix

Locke & Key is a supernatural fantasy-horror that follows three siblings, Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke, who move into an ancestral home after their father dies. But instead of that home-sweet-home vibe, the trio discovers magical keys with powers. Think: mind controlling, reality-bending powers, mending items, changing appearance, and soul separation. Yeah—crazy sh*t.

This series is surprisingly similar to Outer Banks. Both shows feature tight-knit groups and teens facing high-stakes situations as they solve mysteries and uncover trauma they didn’t even know they had. Plus, they both follow supernatural secrets that totally rock their worlds. It’s a must-watch.

Panic

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

If your list of favorite series includes Riverdale and Outer Banks, you’ll LOVE Panic. This drama and psychological thriller, based on a Lauren Oliver novel, follows high school seniors in a small Texas town who compete in dangerous summer games to escape. Escape their town, that is. The games include challenges like cliff diving, walking on high beams, and nighttime raids. It’s intense.

Similar to Outer Banks, Panic takes place in a small-town atmosphere as it follows teens trying to navigate their way to bigger, better lives. Except in this case, trade loads of gold for large pots of money. It’s high-risk, high-reward—exactly what fans of Outer Banks are looking for.

On My Block

Where to watch: Netflix

On My Block follows four friends (Ruby, Cesar, Monse, and Jamal) who are in the middle of navigating high school, romance, and friendship in a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood right in the middle of South Central Los Angeles. But they aren’t experiencing your typical high school experience. They face challenges like gang initiation and the search for “RollerWorld” money.

It’s honestly extremely deep, exploring themes like poverty, social issues, and gang violence. But like Outer Banks, that “chosen family” vibe, dangerous adventures, and socio-economic divides keep fans begging for more.

Tired of watching Outer Banks on repeat? Watch these hot new recs, instead!

Let’s be honest, we can’t ever get sick of staring at Sarah Cameron’s perfectly sun-kissed hair and JJ’s wild, reckless behavior. But sometimes, it’s nice to add a few new shows into the mix! And the best part? You don’t always have to resort to shows like Gilmore Girls for something feel-good and comfortable, though it’s a classic. There are SO many options out there that are just like Outer Banks—and now you don’t have to dig for them!

Want even more show recs? Head to Dear Media—trust us, we’ve got plenty. We also cover everything from love life advice and health and wellness tips to pop culture updates and brand new podcast hosts totally worth the listen. And, don’t forget to check out the DM shop! All of the best new products from all of your favorite podcasts? It truly doesn’t get any better.