If you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, you understand the appeal of small town charm, witty banter, and heartwarming relationships. The show’s unique blend of drama and comedy made it a beloved series for many viewers.
But once you’ve binged all seven seasons, what’s next? Fear not, because there are plenty of other shows out there that capture the same magic as Gilmore Girls. I
Let’s explore some of the best shows to watch if you’re in need of a fix of fast-talking, coffee-loving, and quirky characters. Get ready to add some new favorites to your watchlist!
Hart of Dixie
This show follows New York City doctor Zoe Hart as she moves to Bluebell, Alabama to take over her father’s medical practice. Like Gilmore Girls, Hart of Dixie is set in a charming small town and features a strong female lead.
Rachel Bilson is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in this show. You’ll fall in love with Lemon Breeland against your will and you’ll want to move straight into this small town that incidentally uses the same gazebo set that Gilmore Girls used!
Streaming on: Freevee
Bunheads
Created by the same person who brought us Gilmore Girls, Bunheads follows a Las Vegas showgirl who marries a man and moves to his small California town to teach at his dance studio. The show features the same fast-paced dialogue and quirky characters that made Gilmore Girls so beloved.
Sutton Foster makes an appearance in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and plays the starring role in Bunheads as well.
Streaming on: Hulu
Parenthood
This family drama follows the Braverman family as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Like Gilmore Girls, Parenthood features a large ensemble cast of well-drawn characters and explores the complexities of family relationships.
And, like Gilmore Girls, it stars Lauren Graham as a mom of teens. I loved this show, but prepare to cry after every episode.
Streaming on: Hulu
Jane the Virgin
This telenovela-inspired show follows Jane, a young woman who is accidentally artificially inseminated and must navigate the resulting chaos in her life. Like Gilmore Girls, Jane the Virgin features a fast-paced style and a strong focus on family relationships.
I ADORED this show and wish I could watch it for the first time all over again. I had to Google who Jane ends up with because I couldn’t wait all six seasons to find out!
Streaming on: Netflix
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Created by the same team, led by Amy Sherman Palladino, behind Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel follows a 1950s housewife who discovers a talent for stand-up comedy. The show features witty dialogue and a strong sense of place.
If you’re looking for an exact dupe of Gilmore Girls, this isn’t it. However the snappy dialogue the Palladinos are known for is alive and well here.
Streaming on: Amazon Prime
Pushing Daisies
This whimsical show follows a pie-maker who can bring dead things back to life, including his childhood sweetheart. Like Gilmore Girls, Pushing Daisies is full of quirky characters and features a distinctive visual style.
Streaming on: Max
Gossip Girl
This teen drama follows a group of wealthy Upper East Side teenagers as they navigate the drama and scandals of their privileged lives. Like Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl features a sharp wit and a focus on complex relationships.
Streaming on: Max
Northern Exposure
This cult classic show follows a New York City doctor who is forced to practice in a small Alaskan town. Like Gilmore Girls, Northern Exposure features a strong sense of place and a cast of eccentric characters.
Available to buy on Amazon and AppleTV
How to watch Northern Exposure for Free: Northern Exposure isn’t streaming anywhere because streamers don’t want to pay for the music rights in the show. If you don’t want to purchase each season, check your local library as they may have the show available on DVD. Mine does!
The Good Place
This quirky comedy follows a woman who wakes up in the afterlife and must navigate the complexities of the titular “good place.” Like Gilmore Girls, The Good Place is full of witty banter and memorable characters.
Streaming on: Netflix
Everwood
This family drama follows a widowed doctor who moves his family to a small Colorado town. If you loved the sense of community you got from watching Gilmore Girls, Everwood might scratch the same itch.
Streaming on: Freevee
Twin Peaks
This iconic show follows an FBI agent as he investigates the murder of a young woman in the titular Pacific Northwest town. This is a great alternative for people who loved the cast of eccentric characters featured in Gilmore Girls.
Streaming on: Paramount Plus
Younger
This comedy follows a 40-something woman who pretends to be in her 20s in order to land a job in publishing. Sutton Foster is a damn delight, and also stars in the Palladino created BunHeads. Also, this show made me fall in love with Hillary Duff and want to smash the patriarchy all at the same time.
Streaming on: Hulu and Paramount Plus
Big Little Lies
This drama follows a group of wealthy mothers in Monterey, California, and the secrets and lies that threaten to tear their lives apart. If you found yourself identifying with Emily more and more as time goes by, you might love the complex relationships in Big Little Lies. Beware, though, that the content is more mature than a show originally created for the WB.
Streaming on: Max
The OC
This teen drama follows a troubled teenager from Chino, California, as he is taken in by a wealthy family in Orange County. Like Gilmore Girls, The OC explores complex relationships and features a witty sense of humor.
Gilmore Girls pays homage to this show in season six with Zach’s line, “Welcome to the SH, bitch.”
Another fun Gilmore Girls/The O.C. crossover is the fact that Adam Brody, who briefly played Lane’s boyfriend Dave, left the show to go star on The O.C.
Streaming on: Max
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
This musical comedy follows a woman who moves to California to try to win back her ex-boyfriend. The banter runs hot in this show, but I admit to feeling moments of secondhand embarrassment while watching. That’s obviously the point, so if you’re not an extreme empath, this might be the perfect show for you.
Streaming on: Netflix
One Day at a Time (2017 Reboot)
This sitcom features a multi-generational Cuban-American family and tackles modern day social issues. Although the issues can be heavy – life after the military, sexual identity, anxiety and depression, divorce, are among the many topics covered, this family will keep you laughing.
We dare you not to fall in love with grandmother Lydia played by the incomparable Rita Moreno.
The worst thing I can say about One Day at a Time is that it ended entirely too soon. After not getting picked up on Netflix, PopTV picked it up for season 4. That season was abbreviated to 6 episodes due to COVID and not renewed for season 5.
Love Gilmore Girls? Keep Reading!
The Ultimate Guide to Binge Watching Gilmore Girls
How to Throw a Gilmore Girls Watch Party
Warner Bros. Tour Gilmore Girls Experience
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