When you think of the summer months you probably think of the beach, the sand between your toes, margaritas, the breeze in your hair, and maybe even a flirty and fleeting summer romance.
If you’re an avid TV watcher, you might even think summer affair or thrilling murder. It’s totally normal. Why? Because these are all things that we seek out from summer TV!
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in the summer experience from the comfort of your couch.
Here are 12 TV shows that feel like summer:
The O.C.
Set in Orange County, The OC is described as a “modern” soap opera that finds Ryan exploring the world of wealthy and sun-kissed high schoolers after he’s taken in by a lawyer and his family. Even if you’ve seen the show plenty of times before, the warm weather and high school elite drama never disappoint.
Summertime
There’s nothing more romantic than Italy’s Adriatic Coast. This Netflix series, inspired by Federico Moccaia’s book series, is an Italian web drama that chronicles the summer romance of two adults from vastly differing backgrounds.
Grand Hotel
It’s summer all year round in Miami and at the Grand Hotel, a family-owned hotel, the fun never stops. But when a hurricane results in the death of one of the hotel’s staff members, people begin asking questions. It’s a scandalous, explosive, and luxurious drama with Miami Beach at the forefront serving as a main character.
90210
Centered in the most prestigious and famous zip code in California, the series tracks a group of high schoolers on their way to adulthood as they navigate complex situations and pursue their dreams. The series is a reboot of the iconic Beverly Hills, 90210. Expect a lot of beach parties—you’ve been warned.
Baker and the Beauty
The series brings the flavor of Miami’s Little Havana to the forefront of a love story between local “baker boy” Daniel, who helps run his family’s small business and worldwide superstar, Noa Hamilton. As their worlds fuse together, they learn more about each other’s experiences and cultures.
Mistresses
The power of strong female relationships is explored in this thrilling drama. Four female friends depend on each other and turn to each other for advice about their scandalous lives and illicit relationships including divorce, relationships with a patient, and more.
Sweet Magnolias
Raise a glass of sweet iced tea on a summer day to new beginnings! The new Netflix romance drama, based on a novel of the same name, finds four lifelong friends helping each other deal with the ups and downs of life, relationships, and careers in a small Southern town. As one of the characters deals with divorce and finds the strength to start over, a blossoming business idea is formed.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The quintessential summer show, based on the novel of the same name by Jenny Han, finds the main protagonist Belly caught up in a love triangle with two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, who she’s known all her life. There’s lust, love, broken hearts, and a lot of firsts as the teens navigate summer at Cousins Beach together.
Revenge
It’s not summer unless you plan a little escape to the Hamptons. Unfortunately, Emily Thorne’s version of a “chill summer” includes plotting revenge on the family next door who destroyed her father with their secrets and lies. And she does so with a martini in hand as she schmoozes the socialites of the affluent summer community!
Summerland
You know when a show has “summer” in the title—and Jesse McCartney and Zac Efron are both in the cast (look them up, Gen Z’ers)—it’s going to be filled with moments that remind you of warmer days by the seaside. Ava Gregory’s life gets turned upside down when her sister and brother-in-law die in a car accident and she becomes the guardian of their three teen children. One could say it’s a “full house.” And needless to say, everyone has to adjust to their new lifestyle.
Cruel Summer
The anthology series, currently airing its second season, focuses on teen characters who deal with traumatic events—including a murder mystery—over the course of three timelines, including a summer where it all begins. Life will never be the same.
Outer Banks
It’s time to gear up for the treasure hunt of a lifetime with the Pogues. John B enlists his best friends to help him locate a legendary treasure that is linked to his father’s disappearance, but soon enough, they realize they aren’t the only ones with their eyes on the gold, and danger is lurking at every corner.