For fans of supernatural teen dramas, The Vampire Diaries is HANDS-DOWN an all-time favorite series. The jaw-dropping twists? The suspenseful cliffhangers? And the drama-filled love stories that pull us in and never let go? Check, check, and check. Plus, we can’t forget about the iconic cast. Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley—The Vampire Diaries is easy to binge-watch and even easier to love.
However, not every supernatural TV series is the same. Some are broody and dark, while others are humorous and uplifting. On top of that, some just… miss the mark on mixing suspense, heart, and heroic storylines. BUT, good news! We’ve done our research to find you all of the best shows like The Vampire Diaries. Basically, yes, you can have it all.
And no, they don’t star the iconic Stefan or Damon Salvatore (the Ian Somerhalder & Nikki Reed episode of Him & Her Show does!), but don’t let that deter you just yet. We’ve rounded up ALL of the best shows like The Vampire Diaries full of high-stake, fast-paced intrigue. Ready to add to your guilty pleasure TV show list? We thought so. Let’s dive in!
20 Shows like The Vampire Diaries When You Miss Mystic Falls
We’re hooked on all the dark romance, supernatural chaos, and small-town drama TVD serves up. And, honestly, who isn’t? It’s the perfect mix of teen angst and real-life relatability. However, before we dive straight into our list of recs, let’s talk about something equally important: What is The Vampire Diaries about?
Whether you’re a long-time fan or totally new to the supernatural scene, we’ve got you. We’ll take a little trip down memory lane to refresh your TVD knowledge and then drop some unbeatable shows like The Vampire Diaries to fill that vampire-shaped void.
Oh, and while we’re here? You’d better listen to “Claire Holt: Marathons, Mom Life, & Living in Florida” from Not Skinny But Not Fat. Trust us, fans of TVD and The Originals will definitely want to tune in.
What Is The Vampire Diaries About?
The Vampire Diaries, based on the book by L.J. Smith, is a TV series full of unexpected twists and turns. It follows the life of Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), a seemingly normal high school student in the town of Mystic Falls. Wrapped up in grief over the death of her parents, she has no idea that she’s in the center of a world full of vampires, werewolves, and witches (oh my!).
On the flip side, two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, return to town for their own agendas. Once they find out that Elena has an eerily similar resemblance to someone they once knew, they can’t help but want to know more. As the series unfolds, Elena’s relationship with both brothers evolves, expands, and becomes something she never expected. She falls in love with Stefan while Damon pushes his developing feelings aside until they’re tangled up in a love triangle that will take you back to the days of choosing which team you’re on (any Team Edward or Team Jacob fans here?).
The show is about much more than romance, though. It dives deep into action, danger, and dark family secrets that keep you on the edge of your seat. No matter what you’re into the series for, TVD has a little something for everyone.
Speaking of that little Twilight reference we tossed in, tune into “Nikki Reed: The Power of Purpose Pt. 1” from The Squeeze. Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Rosalie (Nikki Reed) in the same room again? Iconic.
What To Watch If You Like The Vampire Diaries
Teen Wolf
Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
When Teen Wolf first came out, it took teenage girls by storm—and not just because of the super hunky main characters, “Scott McCall” and “Styles Stilinski.” After Scott gets bitten by a werewolf, his whole life changes. He has to learn how to balance being a teen with his new supernatural abilities—as if high school isn’t hard enough!
Of course, it’s juicy, it’s suspenseful, and it’s full of easy-to-love characters. However, it’s also a super personal look into the importance of friendship with themes like teen identity and loyalty. It’s very much giving “Everyone Wants a Village, But No One Wants to Be a Villager” from Girls Gotta Eat. With 6 seasons full of TVD-like chaos, it’s a show you’ll want to tune into ASAP.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV
Bringing you a late 90s throwback, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the OG of supernatural teen drama. The show follows Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) as she juggles typical teen struggles while also fighting to save the world from evil supernatural forces. And, we’re not being dramatic here, she was literally destined for this kind of life.
Think of her as the “Chosen One” in the vampire slayer world. She doesn’t do it alone, though. She has a group full of loyal friends willing to go to bat with and for it—yet again proving the importance of friendship. It sprinkles in humor with exciting thrill, and of course, we love a series based on a female lead.
Shadowhunters
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Based on the YA fantasy novel The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Shadowhunters introduces us to Clary Fray as she discovers that she’s not who she thought she was. Not just your average 18-year-old girl, she comes from a line of human-angel hybrids whose sole purpose is to hunt demons.
Yeah, real deal sh*t. And if you thought it wasn’t intense enough, wanna know what shoved her into that world? Her mom was kidnapped. Talk about a mother-daughter tangle! (Okay, yes, we stole that line from After Bedtime with Big Little Feelings.) Like TVD, Clary has a solid group of friends to help her navigate this new world. It’s full of self-discovery, fantasy, and powerful relationships.
Charmed
Where to watch: Peacock, Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Charmed is about three sisters, Prue, Piper, and Phoebe, who try to protect the innocents of the world from supernatural enemies. It’s like if the duo from The World’s First Podcast had magical powers—at least that’s how we like to think of it! Formally known as the “Charmed Ones,” we get to watch each sister discover their unique magical power and how they can save the world when they put their powers together.
One catch, though: nobody can know that they’re supernatural. It’s got all that tight-knit love and drama we need after a TVD binge-watch. And if that’s not enough, they even made a Charmed reboot in 2018 featuring a new cast with that same dynamic!
Supernatural
Where to watch: Peacock, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
If you’re looking for a super long-running show, this iconic 2005 throwback has 15 seasons for you to take your time with. Supernatural gives us that same brotherly love vibe from TVD as we watch Sam and Dean travel the country to hunt for all things supernatural and paranormal.
While it does have a lot of humor and light-hearted moments, this series also features apocalyptic battles and tug-on-your-heart-strings storylines.
The Witcher
Where to watch: Netflix
Let’s be honest. We’ve all grown up a bit since TVD hit our screens. If you’re looking for something targeted for a more mature audience, The Witcher may be the perfect choice! The story follows Geralt of Rivia (first Henry Cavill, then Liam Hemsworth) as he prepares for a large-scale war. It’s a lot deeper than it seems, though. Themes include things like family, morality, fate, and supernatural elements.
It features a lot of violence, sexual scenes, and complex conversations but that’s what we’re here for, right? For older fans of The Vampire Diaries, you can still find that monster-hunting, mysterious, broody vibe in this series.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV
Sabrina the Teenage Witch was a late 90s/early 00s TV icon. Now, we have another iconic series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This show takes a darker spin on half-mortal half-witch Sabrina Spellman as she navigates both the “normal” and supernatural world. Like TVD, it’s full of tension, complex relationships, and intriguing storylines. If you liked Bonnie’s darker, witchier storyline in The Vampire Diaries, you’ll love this series.
True Blood
Where to watch: HBO MAX, Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
The award-winning show True Blood follows Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress from a small town in Louisiana. This isn’t the only intriguing detail, though vampires in this town have recently just “come back out of the coffin” to live among humans. After Sookie falls in love with vampire Bill Compton, she has to figure out how to navigate a human-vampire relationship. Hmm… sound familiar?
Being Human
Where to watch: Peacock, The CW, Pluto TV, AMC+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
This series follows three twenty-something-year-old roommates who share one common issue: they’re supernatural. One ghost, one vampire, and one werewolf have to figure out how to live their supernatural lives while also dealing with average human struggles. Kinda sounds like the punchline for a joke, right?
Like TVD, Being Human dives into the drama of these friends trying to survive the chaos of living double lives.
The Magicians
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
If someone combined The Vampire Diaries with Harry Potter, it would be this series, The Magicians. This edgy show follows Quentin Coldwater and his crew as they find out that not only is magic real, but it’s way darker than they imagined.
Because it wasn’t all rainbows and fairies like Quentin was assuming, we see a lot of mental health struggles and disappointment. Similarly to TVD, it shows us an intimate look into relationships, betrayal, and supernatural drama.
Salem
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, AMC+
We’re throwing it all the way back to 1692 Salem, Massachusetts. The main character, Mary Sibley, is the most powerful sorceress in all of Salem and secretly controls the witch trials to her advantage. That is, until her old flame comes back into the picture, threatening to destroy her empire and spill all of her deepest, darkest secrets.
Yeah, NIGHTMARE situation. Too bad she didn’t have “The Long Goodbye” from Don’t Think to listen to! Salem is gothic, features dark romance, and contains unexpected plot twists it’s everything we love about TVD with the main focus on witches, instead.
Haven
Where to watch: Peacock, The CW, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
If you’re a crime junkie who loves a good supernatural series, Haven is the show for you. FBI agent Audrey Parker is sent to a small coastal town on assignment. What is that assignment, you may ask? A series of supernatural “troubles” causing mayhem in the community. What she didn’t expect to find was her deeper connection to the town and its mysterious, supernatural roots.
Through a whirlwind of mystery, romance, and supernatural vibes, Haven is a must-watch for TVD fans. Oh, and while we’re on the subject? Check out “Podcasts About Mysteries That Will Keep You Guessing.” Same level of suspense—just portable!
A Discovery of Witches
Where to watch: Netflix, AMC+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
When Diana Bishop finds a hidden magical manuscript in an Oxford library, she’s pulled into a world full of magic, secrets, and a key to understanding the supernatural world. But what will she do with her magic when witches, vampires, and daemons are headed to war?
A Discovery of Witches holds onto similar themes, storylines, and romantic drama tropes that viewers of TVD know and love.
Riverdale
Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
A teen series based on Archie Comics, Riverdale follows the lives of a core group: Archie (KJ Apa), Jughead (Cole Sprouse), Betty (Lili Reinhart), and Veronica (Camila Mendes), as they try to figure out what the HELL is wrong with their town. Beginning with the murder of their classmate, Jason Blossom, the show starts as a teen mystery. However, it slowly unravels into something much, much bigger.
Throughout the series, the group (and friends) explores what secrets their small hometown hides beneath the surface. Think: supernatural elements, horror, and, somehow, LOTS of musical numbers. It’s one of those shows where you never know what’s coming next.
Already seen Riverdale? Tune into “Lili Reinhart: Riverdale, Mental Health, & Personal Day!”
Shows Related to The Vampire Diaries
Okay, so we gave you shows similar to The Vampire Diaries. Now let’s talk about shows RELATED to The Vampire Diaries, because they DEFINITELY need to be on your “must-watch” list.
The Originals
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
If you loved Klaus in The Vampire Diaries and can’t get enough of him, then you’ll love this spin-off series. The Originals follows the Mikaelsons, the first-ever family of vampires from the world of TVD. Set in New Orleans, it explores their lasting influence as they navigate family bonds, dark magic, and political power struggles. While it carries the same depth and intensity as TVD, it introduces a fresh cast of main characters.
Legacies
Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Set after The Originals series, Legacies is about the new generation of the supernatural. It specifically follows the first-ever “Tribrid” in the TVD world, Hope Mikaelson, as she attends the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. The private boarding school, also located in Mystic Falls, acts as a safe haven for young supernatural entities learning to control their new abilities.
Does it have a handful of new character? Of course! But does it also have some TVD icons, too? Absolutely. It’s got the same level of intriguing mystery that we look for in a supernatural series, with more of that emotionality and depth we want.
TV Shows Like The Originals
BONUS TIME! Here are a handful of shows just like The Originals, because yes, we love you guys that much. Let’s dive right in.
The Vampire Chronicles
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Based on the book series by Anne Rice, The Vampire Chronicles is a gothic horror-drama that’s SOOO worth the watch—and read! Set in modern Dubai and 1910s New Orleans, this series dives deep into the relationship between vampires Louis de Pointe du Lac and Lestat de Lioncourt. What a mouthful.
In the beginning of the show, we see Louis retell his life to a journalist—and he doesn’t go easy on us. He talks all about his queer, often chaotic relationship with Lestat. Because, yes, they were companions—but Lestat is also the reason Louis is a vampire. Let’s just say that after you’re done watching, you’ll wanna listen to “5 Mind Games Narcissists Love to Play” from Almost Adulting.
Witches of East End
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
This series, based on Melissa de la Cruz’s novel, is a show that all The Vampire Diaries AND The Originals Fans will love. Joanna Beachamp and her two daughters, Freya and Ingrid, are immortal witches. Joanna knows this, but her daughters? Not so much. She’s kept it a total secret to help give them a normal life.
All is fine and dandy until Joanna’s sister, Wendy, reveals the truth. She doesn’t do this out of spite, though. She knows the trio is in EXTREME danger and their only true defense is their magic. The show is all about family, loyalty, and the consequences of hidden power.
Ravenswood
Where to watch: Tubi, Sling TV
Calling all fans of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Pretty Little Liars! Weird lineup, but hear us out. Ravenswood, a direct spinoff of PLL, follows Caleb Rivers (Tyler Blackburn) after he chooses to stay in Ravenswood to help Miranda Collins. Did we mention Miranda is a ghost? Well… kind of. We won’t spoil it.
ANYWAYS! This is, oddly enough, normal for the town. Because Ravenswood is plagued by an ancestor-made pact, five teens (including Caleb and Miranda) sacrifice themselves so the townspeople remain safe. It’s creepy, it’s spooky, and it’s totally mysterious. Right up our alley!
Angel
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Angel is actually a spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! So, if that tells you anything, you know it’ll be good. Following on the vampire with a soul, Angel creates “Angel Investigates.” This detective agency has one goal in mind: to stop the demons, vampires, and corrupt law firm throughout Los Angeles.
It’s a MUCH different pace than some of the other recs we talked about, especially because most vampires in these series are broody, moody, and totally chaotic. However, Angel’s story is one of redemption. It explores darker, more mature themes through humor, heart, and, of course, horror.
With so many shows like Vampire Diaries to choose from, which one will you watch first?
With all of the drama, romance, and insane plot twists, we can’t get enough of a good supernatural series. We love rewatching “The Vampire Diaries”, but we also love finding some new shows to throw into the mix when we want to switch things up. Each of these shows takes the same vibe of TVD, and puts their own unique spin on it to keep you wanting more.
Check out the Dear Media blog for more series recs, as well as advice on anything from health and wellness to relationship advice. And, don’t forget to check out the DM shop for tons of must-haves!
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