Shows like Riverdale
13 picks with a similar feel
What defines Riverdale, going by its Boxlist taste profile: An intimate, polished crime series, heavy rather than light. Best if you like close-up stories over spectacle. Its strongest markers on Boxlist are themes of coming of age, unlikely connections and mysteries that are not what they seem, plus tags such as killing, love triangle and school.
Here are 13 shows with a similar feel, ranked by how closely they match that profile. Treat them as picks to try, not a definitive list.
Based on Riverdale (2017).
- 1
Elite (2018)
TV8.2
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of unlikely connections and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: school.
- 2
Pretty Little Liars (2010)
TV8.0
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of coming of age and unlikely connections. Common ground: high school.
- 3
Blood & Water (2020)
TV7.9
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of coming of age and unlikely connections. Common ground: high school.
- 4
Dare Me (2019)
TV8.0Faster-paced
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of coming of age and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: small town.
- 5
TV8.4Lighter option
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and glossy, with themes of coming of age and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: high school.
- 6
Gossip Girl (2021)
TV7.6Warmer in tone
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and glossy, with themes of coming of age and mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: high school.
- 7
TV7.4Faster-paced
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of coming of age and mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 8
Locke & Key (2020)
TV8.1
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and glossy, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: small town.
- 9
Home Before Dark (2020)
TV7.6
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 10
We Were Liars (2025)
TV7.2Warmer in tone
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate, with themes of coming of age and mysteries that are not what they seem.
- 11
Bates Motel (2013)
TV8.1More intricate
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: small town.
- 12
TV7.5Faster-paced
Why it's like Riverdale: Also weighty, with themes of mysteries that are not what they seem. Common ground: school.
- 13
The Vampire Diaries (2009)
TV8.3
Why it's like Riverdale: Also intimate and glossy, with themes of coming of age and unlikely connections. Common ground: love triangle.
Boxlist compares Riverdale with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point. Ratings are TMDB audience scores out of 10.
Which of these suit you?
Take the taste test and every pick shows how well it matches you.
Take the taste testQuestions
- What should I watch if I like Riverdale?
- Picks with a similar feel include Elite, Pretty Little Liars, Blood & Water and Dare Me. Each shares part of Riverdale's taste profile, themes or tags; the full list has 13 shows.
- How are these shows like Riverdale chosen?
- Boxlist compares Riverdale with every show in its catalogue on ten taste scores (pace, tone, weight, realism and more), story themes, genres and TMDB keywords, and ranks the closest. Every pick has a TMDB rating of 7.2 or more from at least 150 votes, new releases wait until their ratings settle, and only one title per franchise makes the list. It is an approximation of feel, so treat it as a starting point.
- Is there a lighter show like Riverdale?
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has a similar feel but scores lighter on Boxlist's weightiness scale.