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15 TV Shows like Outer Banks That Are Full of Drama, Adventure and Mystery

May 27, 2023
shows like outer banks

When you’re in your teens it feels like the perfect sweet spot. You have your whole life ahead of you, you’re full of life and vigor, ready to take on whatever might come. This perfectly describes the teens on Netflix’s smash show Outer Banks. It’s this sense of adventure that has garnered it a multitude of fans, and that’s why we’ve created this list of 15 shows like Outer Banks.

Outer Banks is an American action-adventure teen series created by Josh Pate, Jonas Pate and Shannon Burke. The show follows the story of a group of teenagers living in a town called Outer Banks in North Carolina. Together they embark on a quest to search for some long lost treasure.It’s a deeply melodramatic story which combines various genres from drama, romance, and mystery to action and adventure, all of which help to form a satisfying whole.

It’s a very binge-able series, one that has left fans looking for similar shows to satisfy their craving for the kind of teen drama that is Outer Banks. Luckily, if you’re one of them, here are 15 TV shows like Outer Banks for you to enjoy.

List of TV Shows like Outer Banks

  1. Fate: The Winx Saga
  2. The Legend of Korra
  3. Titans
  4. Locke & Key
  5. The Letter for the King
  6. Warrior Nun
  7. Spellbinder
  8. So Weird
  9. Higher Ground
  10. Out There
  11. Panic
  12. Animal Kingdom
  13. Dive Club
  14. Summertime
  15. Blood & Water

 1. Fate: The Winx Saga (2021)

Fate: The Winx Saga is a live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon animated series, Winx Club. Created by Iginio Straff, this is a teen drama series similar to Outer Banks, and is centered on Bloom, a fairy with the power to control fire, who is sent to a boarding school for magical creatures located in the Otherworld.

Things start to get dangerous when ancient creatures known as the Burned Ones return to Otherworld to cause chaos. This show has been compared to shows like Outer Banks and especially Riverdale for its darker re-imagination of its mostly light hearted source material. You have to check it out if you like those.

2. The Legend of Korra (2012)

From a live action adaptation to an animated sequel. We get another teen adventure series similar to Outer Banks. Every generation has its reincarnation of a master of all four elements, earth, fire, water and air, known as the Avatar. Korra is this generation’s incarnation and she has her friends by her side to help her along the way.

The Legend of Korra is a well written series that actually explores some deeper topics like race, gender and sexuality, in a way rarely seen before in children’s TV. Away from that it’s full of wonderful adventures and crazy action for you to watch and enjoy together with the whole family.

3. Titans (2018)

Titans is a superhero series that revolves around the DC Comics superhero team known as the titans. It’s the first live action portrayal of the team on television, and follows the adventures of Dick Grayson, Kory Anders, Rachel Roth, Jason Todd and other team members, in a similar vein to teen adventure series like Outer Banks.

This show will be a double delight for fans of adventure shows and superhero shows. It has been praised for respecting its source material, as well as its non-reluctance to go the darker route with its storyline. The show is currently still running and you should catch up on it if you get the chance.

Also Read: Shows like Stranger Things

4. Locke & Key (2020)  

It’s another group of teens solving mysteries in Locke & Key. This time we have the three Locke siblings, who upon moving into their family home known as Keyhouse, after their father is mysteriously murdered, discover magical keys that may help them solve the mystery of their father’s death and take revenge if need be. If you’ve already seen this series, check out our list of shows like Locke and Key.

Faithful to its source material, Locke & Key has been said to start off a little slow but grows in quality as the first season goes by. This show has a certain charm to it, and is full of some nail-biting suspense. If you enjoy shows similar to Outer Banks, then you should give this show a try, especially if you were a fan of the mystery on show.

5. The Letter for the King (2020)

In The Letter for the King, we are introduced to Tiuri, a teenage aspiring knight who is sent on a dangerous but exciting adventure across the large expanse of land known as the three kingdoms, in order to deliver a top secret letter to the king who lives across the Great Mountains.

It’s an enthralling teen drama similar to shows like Outer Banks, and is a call back to older medieval shows like Merlin and The Legend of the Seeker.  It has some brilliant cinematography, set design and special effects, garnering multiple nominations in these categories at the Daytime Emmy Awards starting. It’s a rickrolling adventure that I have no doubt that you will love.

6. Warrior Nun (2020)

Warrior Nun is centered on an orphaned teen whose life changes forever when he ironically wakes up at a morgue, and discovers that she has been chosen as the Halo Bearer and therefore is blessed with superpowers by a group of nuns, who hunt for demons in their spare time.

Warrior Nun excels in its frantic and perfectly choreographed fight scenes and its strong acting performances by its talented cast. It takes a lot of inspiration from shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and is a highly enjoyable alternative if you enjoyed TV shows like Outer Banks.

7. Spellbinder (1995)

Spellbinder is another teen drama series similar to Outer Banks. This show is centered on the story of a group of teenagers who camp in the Blue Mountains located in Australia. They soon find themselves stuck in a parallel universe, one in which a group of people known as the Spellbinders live.

This parallel universe is a version of earth where the industrial revolution never happened. The spellbinders have access to earth-like technology but pretend that it’s all magic elevating themselves to the top of the social ladder. It’s a very fascinating premise, and although it’s a bit on the old side, you’re going to enjoy this one.

8. So Weird (1999)

So Weird is a Disney Channel original series centered on Fiona Philips, a teenager who tours with her rock-star mum, played by Mackenzie Phillips. But similar to series like Outer Banks, things aren’t as they seem. They soon begin to encounter ghosts and other paranormal activity as they travel through the country.

The show took a darker tone and storyline than most of what was on Disney at that time, even being compared to The X-Files, during its time on air. So Weird is available to watch on Disney Plus, so you have no excuse to not catch up on this classic of the early 2000s.

9. Higher Ground (2000)

Higher Ground is one of the teen drama shows similar to Outer Banks in terms of plot. It centers on the story of a group of troubled teenagers who attend a therapeutic boarding school located in the Pacific Northwest, as they deal with growing from adolescence to adulthood, as well as their troubles back home.

With the aid of counselors, these teenagers are guided through their past trials, ridding them of their inner demons, one day at a time. Higher Ground explores various grounded themes like sexual abuse, depression, neglect, and gang violence. The writers did a great job on this show, and you should give this 2000s show a watch if you get the chance.

10. Out There (2003)

Out There follows the story of yet another troubled teen going through life in high school, named Reilly, played by Douglas Smith. He moves from Connecticut, USA, to Australia to live with his aunt and her husband, both of whom run a nature reserve, giving Reilly a chance to connect with nature.

This show was highly successful in Australia, getting nominated for a ton of Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, winning awards for Best Children’s Television Drama in 2003. It’s an underrated series that rarely gets talked about today, but if you enjoy shows like Outer Banks, you’ll love this.

11. Panic (2021)

Panic is a teen drama series based on Lauren Oliver’s 2014 novel of the same name. It’s summer and the annual Panic competition is organized, where 23 high school graduates compete for a $50,000 prize, but things get more sinister than they had bargained for, and it makes for a really entertaining watch.

It’s an off the rails story with an exciting premise that calls back to ones we’ve seen in movies like The Purge. However, if you’re looking for a thrilling adventure series similar to Outer Banks, this is one for you to add to your watch list. It’ll be completely worth it.

12. Animal Kingdom (2016)

Animal Kingdom is an American drama series similar to Outer Banks, which is centered on a teenager known as Joshua ‘J’ Cofy, who moves in with his relatives after his mother dies. These relatives actually run a criminal organization, and he soon gets caught up in the middle of it all.

It’s a really interesting family drama, and might be what Ozark could have turned out to be if its comedic elements were turned up a notch… or two. It makes good use of dark humor, and has some hilarious performances from a large and talented ensemble cast.

13. Dive Club (2021)

Dive Club is an Australian teen drama show whichfollows the story of an all-female group of teen divers who go into search and rescue for their friend who goes missing after a cyclone rips through their quaint town of Cape Mercy, Australia.

It’s a show catered towards a teen audience, but I reckon you can still gain some enjoyment from this one should you decide to give it a chance. This series, similar to Outer Banks, showcases a lot of camaraderie from its cast members, and it’s quite inspiring to see a group of friends who refuse to give up on one of their own.

14. Summertime (2020)

Ale and Summer are love interests in the show Summertime, yet another similar in tone to shows like Outer Banks. Both with wildly differing personalities, they meet over the summer when Summer gets a job at The Grand Hotel Cesenatico, to help out at home. She meets Ale who is a famous motorcyclist, but having had an accident recently is currently taking a break.

Ale’s father pushes him to go back into racing once he is fully recovered, but he has seemingly lost interest in racing, instead spending his summer wooing Summer, as they both gradually fall in love. There’s a lot of fluffy romance in this show, and if you don’t mind that, then you’ll love this.

15. Blood & Water (2020)

Blood & Water is a South African television series created by Gambit Films and currently airing on Netflix. The story of this series centers on Puleng, whose sister was kidnapped shortly after her birth. Years later she stumbles upon a girl at a high school party who she begins to suspect is her long lost sister.

Blood & Water is one of the most critically acclaimed and globally popular African shows that exist today. It dominates TV awards in South Africa, and if you’re done with or taking a break from Outer Banks, this is your chance to check this out, especially if you’re a fan of series similar to Outer Banks.

Honorable Mentions:

Here are some more great series like Outer Banks that didn’t make the list but you can watch regardless:

  1. Bloodline (2015)
  2. National Treasure: Edge of History (2022)
  3. Riverdale (2017)
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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