- POPSUGAR Australia
- Celebrity
- Missing “Never Have I Ever”? Check Out These 29 Movies and TV Shows
Missing “Never Have I Ever”? Check Out These 29 Movies and TV Shows
Netflix / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
The fourth and final season of Netflix’s Mindy Kaling-helmed series “Never Have I Ever” premiered in June, and the show, which stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, covers a huge swath of topics – first love, grief, sexual identity, friendship, the immigrant experience, mental health – with grace and humor. There’s no other series just like it.
Kaling opened up about why the hit show is ending in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in April. “Four seasons for a high school show felt like it made sense,” she explained. “They can’t be in high school forever. We’ve seen those shows. Like, you’ve been in high school for 12 years. What is going on here? Also, the actors get older and it starts looking insane that a 34-year-old is playing a 15-year-old.”
However, in June, Kaling told POPSUGAR that she’s not against the idea of a spinoff. “Oh my gosh. Absolutely. I absolutely would consider doing that if there was a demand,” she said. “I’ve never thought about a spinoff actually. It’s a fun thought experiment, but I haven’t actually thought of one.”
If you’re missing “Never Have I Ever” and looking for other teen and young adult series and movies that touch on some of the same issues in funny, smart, and interesting ways, we’ve got you’ve covered. If your favorite part of “Never Have I Ever” is Devi’s relationship with her mom, maybe it’s time to rewatch “Gilmore Girls.” If you love Fabiola’s journey as she comes out of the closet, check out “Heartstopper” or “The Half of It.” Is your favorite part of “Never Have I Ever” laughing at all of Devi’s funny one-liners? Then it might be time to sit down for a “Glee” marathon or “Derry Girls.”
Read on for our list of young adult shows to stream now.
– Additional reporting by Victoria Edel
Everett Collection
"Derry Girls"
Looking for a laugh? The girls of Derry are here to give you two seasons of adventures so wild, you won’t be able to hold back the laughter. This British sitcom follows the personal exploits of 16-year-old Erin Quinn and her four best friends during the tough times that her small town face in the early ’90s.
Everett Collection
"To All the Boys I've Loved Before"
Hopeless romantic Lara Jean writes love letters to her crushes that are never meant to be seen. When the letters get leaked, she ends up teaming up with Peter Kavinsky, their high school’s lacrosse golden boy, in a fake relationship scheme that ends up a lot more real than either of them bargained for.
Warner Bros. / Copyright CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
"Riverdale"
Okay, this is a given considering that the ladies of “Never Have I Ever” are fairly obsessed with the dark and gritty adaptation of the Archie comics, but just in case you haven’t watched it – you should! The CW show is oftentimes ridiculous, but watching Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead solve mysteries in their permanently misty town is addicting nonetheless.
Everett Collection / 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Glee"
Come for the acerbic wit of the early episodes, stay for the popcorn value of the later years of this musical comedy about a small-town high school glee club and the big personalities that populate it.
Everett Collection / Byron Cohen
"Alone Together"
“Alone Together” is the perfect show for lost millennials just trying to make it through. The show centers on Esther and Benji, aspiring comedians and uncool best friends living in LA. Despite their measured differences, Esther and Benji always support each other and manage to figure out their unstructured lives together.
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
"On My Block"
Spend some time with best friends Monse, Jasmine, Ruby, Jamal, and Cesar as they confront the challenges of puberty and growing up in their predominantly Hispanic and Black neighborhood in South Central LA.
Warner Bros. / Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Gilmore Girls"
There’s nothing quite like watching Rory and Lorelai bond over their morning coffee that gives you the warm fuzzies. You might not want to attend Chilton Preparatory School, but at least it’s fun watching Rory navigate the halls. If you’ve already conquered the original series, it’s time to tackle “A Year in the Life”!
Everett Collection / Wally McGrady
"Alex Strangelove"
Alex is planning on losing his virginity to his high school girlfriend when a chance encounter with a boy from another school leads him to explore his sexuality in this sweet coming-out story.
Netflix / Courtesy of Netflix
"Outer Banks"
Starring Madelyn Cline and several other up-and-coming young actors, this YA drama is set on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, following a close-knit group of teens as they attempt to find the father of their ringleader – who went missing while trying to salvage a sunken ship – and instead find a mysterious treasure map.
Everett Collection / Curtis Baker
"Candy Jar"
This Netflix original is as sweet as its title suggests. Debate team nemeses Lona and Bennett are the ultimate rivals until their love-hate relationship gives way to some serious chemistry.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Sex Education"
One of the most relatable shows about love and friendship in high school, “Sex Education” accurately portrays life as a sexually confused teenager. The show is about shy, awkward Otis, who starts secretly acting as a sex therapist to his peers, despite being a virgin himself. “Sex Education” shows what sex and friendship in high school actually look like, as Otis’s friendships change and his love life develops.
Everett Collection / MTV/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Awkward"
After breaking her arm over the summer, a rumor circulates that it was the result of an attempted suicide, so sophomore year is not off to a great start for Jenna Hamilton. But Jenna handles all the drama, mean girls, and romances of high school, if a little awkwardly, with the help of her friends.
Everett Collection
"See You Yesterday"
In this incredibly cool sci-fi drama, two science geek best friends, C.J. and Sebastian, work together to create a time machine that will allow them to save C.J.’s brother, who was wrongfully killed by a police officer.
Netflix
"#RealityHigh"
If you thought dating was hard when you were in high school, then just wait until you see “#RealityHigh.” Dani is a shy teen who is excited that her crush finally notices her. However, her excitement is short-lived because his social-media-star ex begins to use her followers to make Dani’s life miserable.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You"
In “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before“‘s sequel, Lara Jean finds herself in a love triangle between John Ambrose, her old Model UN crush whom she’s recently reconnected with, and Peter Kavinsky, whom she’s definitely falling for.
Everett Collection / Scott Patrick Green/Netflix
"Everything Sucks!"
In the late 1990s, a rivalry between a high school drama club and the AV club erupts into typical teen shenanigans.
Everett Collection / Channel Four/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Skins"
Don’t judge “Skins” by the MTV reboot! Watch the original series for yourself. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Kaya Scodelario, and so much high school mischief.
Everett Collection / Copyright Everett Collection / Everett Collection
"The Outcasts"
After falling victim to a prank pulled by their popular classmate, two nerdy girls vow to get revenge by starting a rebellion at their school.
HBO
"The Sex Lives of College Girls"
“The Sex Lives of College Girls” is another Mindy Kaling series about a group of college students whose romantic lives are a complete mess.
Everett Collection / Channel Four/Courtesy Everett Collection
"My Mad Fat Diary"
“My Mad Fat Diary” is a British series about Rae Earl (Sharon Rooney), a 16-year-old girl who’s trying to figure out where she fits in as she struggles with her mental health and self-esteem. Jodie Comer costars as her complicated best friend Chloe.
Everett Collection / Disney+/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Ms. Marvel"
Like “Never Have I Ever,” “Ms. Marvel” is about a teenager whose family is from South Asia figuring out what she wants to do with her life and how to survive high school. The big difference is, in “Ms. Marvel,” that teen, Kamala Khan, finds out she has super powers. The show has tons of heart, and you’ll fall in love with Kamala’s family and friends.
Watch “Ms. Marvel” on Disney+.
Related: A Security Guard Helped Iman Vellani Meet Tom Holland and Tom Hiddleston During "Ms. Marvel"
Everett Collection / Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Summer I Turned Pretty"
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is about Belly, a teenage girl who finds herself at the center of a summertime love triangle with the Fisher brothers (who just happen to be her lifelong friends). We won’t spoil how things shake out.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
"The Half of It"
“The Half of It” is a moving coming-of-age comedy about Ellie, a loner who befriends a jock when he needs help writing love letters to his crush. Ellie ends up falling for her along the way in this modern-day take on the play “Cyrano de Bergerac.”
Everett Collection / Orion Pictures Corp/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Anything's Possible"
Billy Porter’s directorial debut, “Anything’s Possible,” is a sweet high school rom-com about a trans girl who falls for a boy in her art class.
Watch “Anything’s Possible” on Prime Video.
Related: Abubakr Ali Binged Disney Music to Get Ready For His Romantic Turn in "Anything's Possible"
Everett Collection / Channel Four/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Chewing Gum"
Michaela Coel created and stars in “Chewing Gum,” about an awkward 24-year-old virgin named Tracey who wants to have sex and get a boyfriend. Sound like “Never Have I Ever“‘s Devi, doesn’t it?
Watch “Chewing Gum” on HBO Max.
Everett Collection / Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
"Heartstopper"
Netflix’s “Heartstopper” is a sweet story about Charlie, a shy student who finds himself falling for rugby player Nick. You’ll fall, too, for Charlie and his sweet friends.
Everett Collection / Courtesy Everett Collection
"The DUFF"
Mae Whitman stars as Bianca, who gets told by Robbie Amell that she’s the titular DUFF – the “Ugly Fat Friend.” It’s not a picture-perfect meet-cute, but it has a happy ending.
Netflix
"Everything Now"
Netflix’s “Everything Now” follows a teen named Mia who returns home after a long stay in an an eating disorder recovery program. Now that she’s back with her friends, she finds herself confronted with issues ranging from drug use and sexuality to queerness and friend-group drama. It’s a blend of heart and realness that fans of “Never Have I Ever” will undoubtedly appreciate.