(Credit: Netflix)

It’s been nearly two decades since Gilmore Girls first aired, but it seems like the obsession hasn’t faded one bit. This reminded us of when Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham reunited at the Emmys this year. Their reunion lit up social media and proved what fans already knew: Lorelai and Rory will always have a grip on us.

That’s the thing about Stars Hollow. It wasn’t just a show; it was a world people still crave. Remember the witty banter and the complicated family ties. But most importantly, the comfort of small-town life… it all felt timeless, like a place you could move into tomorrow.

Watching the Gilmore Girls at the Emmys has surely sent a lot of people back to their bingeing days, and some of you might have even started doing that. But how about instead of a rewatch, we suggest some shows with similar vibes?

And that’s where Netflix’s catalogue comes in clutch. From heartfelt dramas to campus comedies, there are shows that carry the same spark of warmth and family drama that made Gilmore Girls so iconic. Here are nine of them to keep that Gilmore glow alive.

9 Netflix shows for Gilmore Girls fans

Ginny & Georgia (2021-)

One of the most talked-about shows on Netflix, this series follows Ginny, a teenager navigating life with her thirty-something mom, Georgia, in a New England town. On the surface, it looks like a perfect setup, but beneath all the glam, there are plenty of secrets. The show is a mix of pure teen and adult drama with lots of sharp humour.

The Gilmore link here is obvious. A single mother raising her daughter (and a son) while juggling her own messy life. But Georgia is no Lorelai. This one is edgier, darker, and a whole lot more complicated. Watching their push-pull dynamic will feel instantly familiar to anyone who loved Lorelai and Rory’s mix of love and fight.

The Chair (2021)

The Chair is an interesting limited series starring Sandra Oh as Ji-Yoon Kim, who plays the first woman of colour to chair an English department at a struggling university. She is also a single mom who is stuck between workplace politics and a bunch of quirky colleagues who are not easy to manage. She wants to bring good changes to the university, but with everything pointing in a different direction, along with a messy love life, her job is anything but easy.

For Gilmore fans who loved Rory’s college years, The Chair scratches that itch for campus drama. This show has some of the wittiest dialogues and academic chaos, which is obvious. It is satirical and brimming with the kind of intellectual humour that Lorelai and Rory would’ve loved to unpack over a cup of coffee.

Virgin River (2019-)

Running for over six seasons now, the show is an interesting watch. It starts with nurse practitioner Mel Monroe when she moves from LA to the small town of Virgin River, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, all she finds is heartbreak and a complicated romance with local bar owner Jack. Of course, the healing happens at some point, but twists are what have made the show run over six seasons.

The show captures the same small-town energy as Stars Hollow. It is full of gossip, community ties, and characters who all know each other’s business. If you loved the town-as-a-character vibe of Gilmore Girls, you’ll feel right at home here. All you need is to swap Luke’s Diner for Jack’s Bar.

Love Life (2020-2021)

This anthology series follows one character each season on their messy and sometimes heartbreaking search for “the one”, but with a touch of humour. With Anna Kendrick in season one and William Jackson Harper in season two, it mixes humour with real relationship lessons. Although it ran for only two seasons, it made sure to leave an impact on Netflix viewers.

Like Gilmore Girls, it shows how romance is never just about happy endings. You can say it’s about awkward beginnings and learning from the painful mistakes while growing along the way. If you loved watching Lorelai and Rory stumble through love, Love Life delivers that same mix of charm and reality.

My Life With the Walter Boys (2023-)

The second season of this show was recently released on Netflix, and it generated quite a buzz. After losing her family in a tragic accident, Jackie Howard moves from New York to a small Colorado town to live with her mom’s best friend. She quickly finds herself caught between two very different brothers, all while trying to keep her academic dreams alive.

Like Rory, Jackie is smart and ambitious but also sometimes torn between love and responsibility. The love triangle echoes Rory’s own romantic crossroads (Team Dean, Team Jess, or Team Logan vibes). It’s heartfelt and full of that same teenage intensity that made Gilmore’s coming-of-age stories so relatable.

Sweet Magnolias (2020-)

In this show, three lifelong friends, Maddie, Helen, and Dana Sue, support each other through life, love, and career struggles in their small town of Serenity, South Carolina. Together, they start a new business while juggling family drama and romance.

It is hard not to think of Lorelai and Sookie when you see these women lean on each other while chasing their dreams. The female friendship at the core of Sweet Magnolias mirrors the same warmth and loyalty that made Stars Hollow feel so special.

Never Have I Ever (2020-2023)

There is no one who is unfamiliar with Never Have I Ever and the buzz it created during the pandemic. From the genius of The Office fame actor and writer Mindy Kaling, this coming-of-age comedy follows Devi, a high schooler who is struggling with the loss of her father while going through the typical teenage identity crisis and the endless drama of teenage crushes. It’s a hilarious show, but it has some heartfelt moments while being occasionally unhinged in the best way.

Like Rory, Devi is whip-smart. But she is also stubborn and constantly torn between her head and her heart. The show’s blend of laugh-out-loud moments and deeply emotional beats makes it a perfect modern counterpart to Gilmore’s mix of humour and heartache.

Maid (2021)

Based on Stephanie Land’s memoir, this limited series follows Alex, a young single mom who flees an abusive relationship and fights to provide for her daughter by working as a house cleaner. We guarantee you a good shed of tears when you watch this show, but at the same time, it’ll make you realise how luckier you are than a lot of people out there. Maid has shown the brutality of being poor in the rawest way possible, and it’s powered by Margaret Qualley’s standout performance.

What makes it resonate with Gilmore Girls fans is its portrayal of a mother willing to do anything for her child. Lorelai’s determination to raise Rory her way echoes in Alex’s fight to carve out a safe, independent life. Different tone but same core: the strength of single motherhood.

Sullivan’s Crossing (2023-)

Sullivan’s Crossing again is a popular choice on Netflix. Neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan returns to her small hometown to rebuild her life, only to find herself pulled back into family ties and a possible romance. The show blends medical drama with small-town heart and sounds a bit similar to Virgin River.

Here’s a fun Easter egg for Gilmore fans: Scott Patterson, aka Luke Danes himself, stars in this series. His presence alone makes it feel like a cousin to Stars Hollow, while the themes of second chances and community remind you of Gilmore’s cosy days.