5 shows like Riverdale to watch if you miss retro teen drama

The CW's Riverdale introduced a new generation to the charm and style of classic retro dramas. While the latter seasons of this 2016 show certainly featured some crazy and outrageous plotlines, it was once the most popular show of our time. Additionally, the series also introduced the world to powerhouse talents like KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes and Cole Sprouse.

The series is based on the iconic Archie Comics' characters and follows Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead as they investigate murders and supernatural mysteries in their titular town. Riverdale explores themes of friendship, first love, and dysfunctional families, all against a dark background of a small rural town.

While the series certainly lost its charm in the latter seasons, many other TV shows capture a similar aesthetic of retro teen dramas.

Here are 5 shows like Riverdale to watch if you miss retro teen drama.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the author's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

5 shows like Riverdale if you miss retro teen dramas

1) The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina

This Netflix supernatural series is a perfect show to watch when you miss Riverdale. Like the OG Archie comics adaptation, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is also based on a popular Archie comic character, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. This drama follows the titular teenage witch, who must balance her life as a witch and as a normal teenager.

The show perfectly captures the retro teen drama aesthetic and delves into many themes of the supernatural. If you loved the twisty narratives between Archie, Betty and Veronica, wait till you meet Sabrina and her gang in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

2) Stranger Things

Stranger Things (Image via Instagram/@strangerthingstv)

No retro teen drama buff needs an introduction to this 2016 sci-fi supernatural series, which is the biggest title on Netflix now. Watching Stranger Things is like unlocking the door to an Upside Down World (pun intended) with board games, exciting summer vacations, and terrifying creatures. The show is highly reminiscent of nostalgic teen dramas of the 80s, and while it does not have many love triangles like Riverdale, the demogorgons will surely keep you entertained.

The series follows a group of teen friends in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. Their boring summer takes an exciting but dangerous turn when one of their friends disappears to a parallel world and they meet Eleven, a mysterious girl with mind-controlling powers.

3) Outer Banks

This action-adventure series on Netflix broke all viewership records when it debuted during the COVID-19 pandemic. While Outer Banks does not feature crazy supernatural narratives like Riverdale, the many intriguing mysteries and Pogues' messy relationships will surely keep you hooked. This teen drama feels like spending a summer on the beach, but instead of building sand castles with friends, you chase pirates and their treasures.

If you loved the romantic subplots between Archie, Veronica, Bettie and Jughead, you will surely enjoy watching John B. and his Pogues' drama. Now is the perfect time to tune in as Outer Banks will soon return with a fifth and final season on Netflix.

4) Wednesday

A fellow Netflix show that perfectly captures the dark and gothic aesthetic of Riverdale (and even outshines it a bit) is Wednesday. Jenna Ortega stars as the titular teenager with psychic abilities in this Tim Burton's vision of the classic Addams Family characters. Fans of the Archie Comics will surely enjoy this modern adaptation of The Addams Family, which follows Wednesday's arrival at Nevermore.

Wednesday Season 2 recently dropped on Netflix and follows more supernatural mysteries and a cameo by Monster Mother, ie, Lady Gaga herself. The show is also renewed for Season 3, so now is the perfect time to get familiar with The Addams Family.

5) Veronica Mars

Long before Kristen Bell played Arizona dirtbag Eleanor Shellstrop in NBC's The Good Place, she was a teenage student in Veronica Mars. This dark and mysterious crime series has now attained a classic status and is perfect for the Riverdale audience.

After Veronica is ostracized from her friend group, she spends her day with her private investigator father. As the series progresses, Veronica starts to enjoy herself solving cases of California's most elite. If you loved watching Archie and his gang take on haunting mysteries, wait till you meet Veronica Mars, who single-handedly deals with many outrageous and dangerous cases.