HBO Max's The S*x Lives of College Girls is a teen comedy-drama television series created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble. The show follows the lives of four 18-year-old freshmen roommates at the fictional Essex College in Vermont.
Kimberly, Bela, Leighton, and Whitney are the lead characters, each with their unique personalities, yet their lives are somehow intertwined. From Leighton opening up about her s*xuality to Bela pursuing her comedy dreams, this show revolves around the lives of these four friends.
The S*x Lives of College Girls explores the main cast's dating experiences, campus parties, academic challenges, and the uncertainties of their futures. The show is heartwarming and lighthearted, packed with humorous moments, such as managing family dynamics even during Thanksgiving. Its fast-paced nature ensures that every episode has unexpected twists and turns.
Here are 7 shows similar to The S*x Lives of College Girls.
Note: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
Heartstopper, Never Have I ever, and 6 other shows like The S*x Lives of College Girls
1) Heartstopper
Heartstopper is a coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama television series based on Alice Oseman's web comic and graphic novel of the same name. The series centers on Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor); their friendship that turns into love. The duo first bond during a conversation on the way to math class about the appropriateness of doing homework.
The show also delves into the lives of their friends, including Tao Xu (William Gao), Elle Argent (Yasmin Finney), Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan), Darcy Olsson (Kizzy Edgell) and Tara Jones (Corinna Brown).
Heartstopper portrays contemporary dating life, first kisses, friendships, school parties, and more. It is as fun and entertaining as The S*x Lives of College Girls, but with a more subtle approach, as it explores the innocence of falling in love after coming out.
Where to watch: Netflix
2) S*x Education
If there's anything that embodies drama, friendships, high school life, a central focus on s*x education, and relationship dynamics, it is the show S*x Education.
The plot revolves around the lives of teenagers and adults in a fictional town of Moordale as they go through various personal dilemmas, many of which are centered around s*xual intimacy. It features Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling, Alistair Petrie, Mimi Keene, and Aimee Lou Wood.
The primary focus is on Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a student at Moordale Secondary School. At the start of the series, Otis is unsure about s*x, partly due to his mother, Jean Milburn, a s*x therapist who has had affairs with men but avoids romantic relationships.
High school can be a confusing time for many, and S*x Education as well as The S*x Lives of College Girls perfectly capture why this phase of life is such a roller-coaster ride.
Where to watch: Netflix
3) Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a comedy-drama television series starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. It is about an Indian-American high school student grappling with the sudden death of her father while dealing with the ups and downs of her final three years of high school.
The show centers around a teenage girl determined to make the most of her high school life, which bears similarities. The S*x Lives of College Girls and Never Have I Ever, both series were co-created by Mindy Kaling, making them notable coming-of-age stories worth watching.
Where to watch: Netflix
4) Euphoria
Euphoria unfolds the story of Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a troubled teenage drug addict who struggles to stay sober, find her place in the world, and balance her relationships after rehab. While Rue is the central character, each episode often includes backstories for the other supporting characters.
The series takes place in a fictional town of East Highland, California, where high schoolers encounter challenges related to love, loss, s*x, and addiction. This show offers all the glitter and fun any teenager might crave, but beneath the surface lies toxic friendships, bullying, drugs, and neglected mental health.
However, the compelling soundtrack and creative camera angles stand out, making it a hit with audiences for its production value. Euphoria shares similarities with The S*x Lives of College Girls as both the shows dive into the complexities of teenage life during high school.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+, and more
5) S*x and the City
S*x and the City sheds light on the lives of four female friends living in New York City. The cast includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon. Their respective characters are: Carrie Bradshaw, a newspaper columnist; Samantha Jones, a public relations professional; Charlotte York, an art dealer; and Miranda Hobbes, a lawyer.
This series showcases various highs and lows in the lives of these four women. While they often clash and can be their own worst enemies, they ultimately come together. With episodes focusing on their professional lives, each character has a unique perspective on life. Yet they always manage to support each other—much like the dynamic in The S*x Lives of College Girls.
The stories explore themes of s*x, relationships, friendship, and femininity.
Where to watch: HBO Max
6) Grown-ish
A still from Grown-ish (Image via Instagram/@grownish)
Grown-ish (stylized as grown·ish) is a teen comedy-drama television series and a spin-off of the series Black-ish. It follows the Johnson family's children as they go off to college and begin their journeys into adulthood, only to quickly realize that life outside the family home doesn't always go as planned.
Zoey is introduced as the oldest daughter of Johnson family. In the inital episodes, she leaves home to attend the fictional California University of Liberal Arts (Cal U). As Zoey makes new friends in college, she discovers that her path to adulthood is more complicated than she expected.
Just like the four girls in The S*x Lives of College Girls, Zoey and other supporting characters embark on their college journey. Each of them confront challenges of this transitional period while experiencing newfound independence and the responsibilities that come with it.
Where to watch: Dinsey+, Prime Video
7) Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives brings the lives of a group of women into spotlight, as seen through the eyes of their friend and neighbor, who commits s*icide in the pilot episode. The housewives can be seen dealing with struggles that surrounds family life while uncovering the secrets, crimes, and mysteries hidden behind the doors of their seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood.
The mix of rivalry and camaraderie in The S*x Lives of College Girls is very similar to the Desperate Housewives dynamic.
Where to watch: Hulu, Prime Video.
The S*x Lives of College Girls season 3 premiered on HBO Max on November 21, 2024. New episodes release on a weekly basis, with the season finale scheduled for January 23, 2025.