While waiting forOuter Banksseason 5, there’s a different summer-themed TV series available to stream that could scratch a specific itch.Outer Banks' fifth and final season is filming now, as Kiara (Madison Bailey), John B (Chase Stokes), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Sarah (Madelyn Cline), Cleo (Carlacia Grant), and even Rafe (Drew Starkey) are headed to Portugal to hunt for the most precious treasure of all: revenge.
After JJ Maybank’s (Rudy Pankow) unexpected and tragic death in theOuter Banksseason 4 finale, the stakes for our favorite teenage treasure hunters have never been higher. There’s a baby on the way, they’re grieving, all while looking for Blackbeard’s long-lost Blue Crown and teaming up with one of their biggest enemies. Will Rafe be a true ally, or will he double-cross the Pogues?
There’sa lot to look forward to inOuter Banksseason 5(and a lot to be afraid of), so if you need to take your mind off the upcoming finale and watch something a little lighter but just as summery, Prime Video might have the perfect show for you.
At first glance,you might not think Jenny Han’s romantic dramaThe Summer I Turned Prettycould temporarily fill thatOuter Banks-shaped hole in your heart, but the two YA shows have more in common than you think.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Is The Perfect Summer TV Show For Outer Banks Fans
These Friendships Are Forever
For those of you not in the know,The Summer I Turned Prettyfollows Isabel “Belly” Conklin(Lola Tung) as she navigates the most complicated love triangle known to man: the one between her and long-time family friends, the Fisher brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno).
Every summer, the Conklins and the Fishers spend the season together in a wealthy beach resort town called Cousins, country club and all. In bothOuter BanksandThe Summer I Turned Pretty, there’s a surface-level yet character-relevant exploration of the wealth gap and how it affects the dynamic within the primary friend group, especially in both shows' debut seasons.
Now,The Summer I Turned Prettyis not an action-adventure show. There’s no treasure hunting, no near-death experiences, no historical conspiracies, no illegal border crossings. If that’s the main reason you loveOuter Banks(and that’s entirely valid!), thenThe Summer I Turned Prettymight not be the show for you.
However, if what you’re fixated on most inOBXis the characters and their relationships, as I suspect is true for a lot ofOuter Banksfans, given the outpouring of grief after JJ’s death, thenThe Summer I Turned Prettycould prove to be worth your time.Both shows feature a tight-knit group of friends, most of whom have been friends since childhood.
If you’re looking for something with a top-notch summer vibe, a lovable yet undeniably messy friend group, and ride-or-die relationships,The Summer I Turned Prettyhas them all.
They’d sacrifice everything for each other; romantic feelings flare and fade between them, and they’re always ready to back each other up in whatever scheme they might be cooking up, whether that involves looting a church, planning an illicit party, or breaking into the aforementioned country club.
The characters in both shows are also forced to deal with grief from a young age, and each show explores this theme in emotionally compelling and relatable ways. If you’re looking for something with a top-notch summer vibe, a lovable yet undeniably messy friend group, and ride-or-die relationships,The Summer I Turned Prettyhas them all.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Is Much Faster To Binge-Watch Than Outer Banks
The Summer I Turned Pretty Has Fewer Episodes Than OBX
Summer is a busy time. If you need something quick to watch in between work, studies, block parties, barbecues, and trips to the beach, watchingThe Summer I Turned Prettywon’t take up too much space on your calendar.
WhereasOuter Bankshas four seasons and 40 episodes out so far,The Summer I Turned Prettyhas only just released its third season, with the first two episodes available now and new installments dropping weekly. The show will only have 26 episodes in total.
Whether you’re watching something on a plane, waiting out a rare rainy summer day, or need something on in the background while you dream of your favorite holiday destination, it doesn’t get much more sun-soaked thanOuter BanksandThe Summer I Turned Pretty.
Outer Banksseason 5 premieres on Netflix in 2026. New episodes ofThe Summer I Turned Prettyair weekly on Wednesdays on Prime Video.
Outer Banks
Cast
Outer Banks follows a group of teenagers in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as they uncover a legendary treasure linked to the mysterious disappearance of the group’s leader’s father, leading to a series of dangerous and thrilling adventures.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty, released in 2022, follows a pivotal summer in the life of Belly, who turns sixteen during her family’s annual stay at the Fishers' beach house. This transformative season involves first love, heartbreak, and personal growth, marking a significant journey of self-discovery.
