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For fans of "One Tree Hill," finding shows that hit that same mix of drama, heart, and the occasional laugh isn't easy, but it's not impossible either. Here's a list of 25 shows that'll give you all that, maybe even more.
Shows like these know how to pull at your heartstrings and occasionally punch you in the gut, just when you start getting comfortable.
1. "Friday Night Lights" (2006-2011) Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
In the small, football-obsessed town of Dillon, Texas, Coach Eric Taylor leads the local high school team while dealing with intense community pressure; the series paints a somewhat divisive picture of the impact football has on the players, their families, and the town's fabric.
Renowned brain surgeon Dr. Andy Brown relocates with his two children to the small mountain town of Everwood, Colorado, following his wife's tragic death; there, he opens a free clinic and navigates new relationships amidst the backdrop of family dramas and teenage angst.
Veronica Mars, a smart, fearless high school (and later college) student turned private investigator, delves into the seedy underbelly of Neptune, California, solving mysteries while uncovering secrets about her own family's past.
In the quirky town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, the close bond between single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory is tested by life's challenges, from high school dramas to romantic entanglements and family disputes.
In Roswell, New Mexico, teenager Liz Parker discovers her classmate Max Evans is an alien – along with his sister Isabel and friend Michael – leading to a series of adventures, romances, and dangers as they confront government conspiracies and interstellar threats.
The Braverman family, composed of an older couple, their four children, and their families, navigate the joys and heartaches of parenthood, covering a wide spectrum of life's challenges and milestones.
7. "10 Things I Hate About You" (2009-2010) Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Sisters Kat and Bianca Stratford face the trials of high school – navigating love, friendships, and family rules – in this modern retelling of Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew'.
8. "Switched at Birth" (2011-2017) Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Two teenage girls, Bay Kennish and Daphne Vasquez – one from a wealthy family, the other deaf from a working-class background – discover they were switched at birth, leading to a complex blending of their families and exploration of identity, culture, and family dynamics.
9. "Make It or Break It" (2009-2012) Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%
A group of elite gymnasts – Payson, Kaylie, and Lauren – strive to make it to the Olympic Games, facing fierce competition, personal sacrifices, and the pressures of a high-stakes environment in their quest for success and self-discovery.
After serving time at a teen detention center, Kris Furillo gets a chance to start over by working with a talented but troubled horse, Wildfire, at the Raintree Ranch, forging new relationships and facing challenges in the world of horse racing.
In the coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts, Dawson Leery, an aspiring filmmaker, and his close friends Joey, Pacey, and Jen navigate the complexities of teenage life, love, and growing up, often finding themselves in emotionally charged situations.
Set at the fictional Cyprus-Rhodes University, this series follows students as they navigate the complexities of college life, including Casey Cartwright and her brother Rusty, who immerse themselves in the school's Greek system, facing challenges of loyalty, love, and life choices.
Felicity Porter, on a whim, follows her high school crush to college in New York City, where she experiences the trials of love, friendships, and self-discovery, while constantly questioning her life choices and future.
Lux, a wise-beyond-her-years teenager, seeks emancipation but instead finds her biological parents – radio host Cate and bar owner Baze – leading to an unexpected family dynamic as they navigate newfound relationships and responsibilities.
15. "The O.C." (2003-2007) Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
Troubled teenager Ryan Atwood is taken in by the wealthy Cohen family in Orange County, California; his arrival stirs up drama and changes the lives of the family and affluent community, especially Seth Cohen and Marissa Cooper.
Marti Perkins, a pre-law student at Lancer University, joins the competitive cheerleading team, the Hellcats, to maintain her scholarship, discovering a new sense of passion and a diverse group of teammates.
Yale graduate Megan Smith becomes a tutor for two wealthy and rebellious Palm Beach teens, Rose and Sage Baker, finding herself entangled in their luxurious world while striving to achieve her own journalistic ambitions.
Following his father's suicide and mother's remarriage, troubled teenager Johnny Miller moves to Palm Springs, where he uncovers secrets and lies within his seemingly idyllic new community and among his peers.
At the elite Rawley Summer Academy, Will Krudski, a working-class boy, navigates a world of privilege and romance; the series explores all-too-familiar themes of friendship, ambition, and the clash of different social backgrounds.
20. "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (2008-2013) Rotten Tomatoes score: 39%
After discovering she's pregnant, teenager Amy Juergens must navigate the challenges of adolescence, high school dynamics, and family issues, all while dealing with the baby's father, Ben, and her crush, Ricky.
After the sudden death of their parents, three siblings move in with their aunt Ava Gregory in the beach town of Summerland, adjusting to a new life filled with challenges, love, and surfing culture.
Novelist Nick Garrett returns to his hometown after a decade to face the family and friends he left behind, dealing with the repercussions of his departure and the unresolved relationships he had abandoned.
After moving to New York City from a small town, teenager Sophie Kerr and her family, including her single mother and sister, navigate the complexities of high society, romance, and personal aspirations in the big city.
In the rolling foothills of the Rockies, the Fleming family run Heartland, a ranch dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of troubled horses, while dealing with personal struggles, family bonds, and the challenges of rural life.
Police officer Eddie Sutton moves his family back to his old neighborhood, Lincoln Heights, to improve it, but they face numerous challenges, including crime, community dynamics, and their own family issues, in their quest to create a better life.
