Riverdale is the most common recommendation, and honestly, it makes sense. It's got the mystery-of-the-week energy, the friend group dynamics, the will-they-won't-they relationships. But here's the thing: Riverdale gets weird. Like, cult storylines, supernatural elements, and plot twists that make zero sense. Season 1 is actually pretty solid teen noir. By season 3, you're in "why is there a bear attacking people" territory. If your kid loved PLL's commitment to increasingly unhinged plot developments, they'll be fine. Just know what you're signing up for. Ages 14+.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is lighter on mystery but heavy on the relationship drama and coming-of-age vibes. It's based on Jenny Han's books (she also wrote To All the Boys I've Loved Before), and it's genuinely well-done. The love triangle is the main plot, but there are deeper family dynamics and grief themes that give it substance. Much less murder than PLL, which might actually be a selling point. Ages 13+.

Gossip Girl (the original, not the reboot) doesn't have the murder mystery element, but it absolutely has the "everyone has secrets" energy and the addictive quality of trying to figure out who's behind everything. It's also deeply problematic in ways that are worth discussing—wealth worship, consent issues, toxic relationships presented as romantic. But it's also a cultural touchstone that holds up as a discussion starter. Ages 14+.

Only Murders in the Building is technically an adult show, but it's one of the best mystery series out there right now, and it's surprisingly appropriate for older teens. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez solve murders in their apartment building while making a true crime podcast. It's funny, clever, and treats its mysteries with actual respect. The humor is witty rather than crude, and the violence is minimal. Ages 14+.

Outer Banks has treasure hunting instead of murder mysteries, but it's got that same "teens investigating things adults should probably be handling" energy. The friend group dynamics are strong, there's actual adventure, and while there's definitely some violence and mature themes, it's generally less dark than PLL. Fair warning: the class dynamics (rich vs. poor kids) are a major plot point and worth discussing. Ages 14+.

Wednesday surprised everyone by being actually good. It's got mystery, dark humor, a boarding school setting, and Jenna Ortega absolutely crushing it as Wednesday Addams. The mystery is well-plotted, the relationships feel real, and it manages to be both funny and suspenseful. There's some violence and definitely some creepy moments, but it's more Tim Burton gothic than graphic. Ages 13+.

13 Reasons Why gets recommended a lot in this category, and I'm here to say: maybe not. Yes, it's about teens and secrets and mystery. But it's also about suicide, sexual assault, and a lot of heavy trauma content that's been criticized by mental health professionals for how it's handled. If your teen is specifically interested in these topics and you're ready to watch together and process it, fine. But it's not a casual "what should I watch next" recommendation. Ages 16+ and honestly, with parental co-viewing.

Euphoria is going to come up because it's what "everyone" is watching. It's beautifully shot, the acting is incredible, and it deals with real teen issues. It's also extremely graphic—drug use, sexual content, violence—in ways that go well beyond PLL. This isn't a judgment call on whether teens should watch it, but it's definitely not in the same category as Pretty Little Liars. Ages 17+ if at all, and know what you're getting into.

Here's the thing about the PLL-to-next-show pipeline: Pretty Little Liars normalized a certain level of drama and danger that can make other shows feel either too tame or way too intense. Your kid might be ready for more mature content, or they might actually want something lighter but don't know how to ask for it.

The best move? Watch the first episode together. Not in a hovering way, but in a "let's see if this is good" way. You'll get a sense of the tone, they'll get a sense of whether you're going to freak out about every plot point, and you can have an actual conversation about what they're looking for in a show.

Also worth noting: a lot of these shows deal with relationships, identity, mental health, and trauma in ways that can be really valuable discussion starters. The "what did you think about..." conversation after an episode can be worth way more than any parental control setting.

If your kid loved Pretty Little Liars, they're probably looking for: mystery, friendship dynamics, relationship drama, and that feeling of trying to solve something. Wednesday, Only Murders in the Building, and Outer Banks are your best bets for quality content that hits similar notes without going completely off the rails.

Riverdale is fine if you're okay with increasingly bonkers plot lines. The Summer I Turned Pretty is great if they want less mystery and more feelings.

And honestly? Sometimes the answer is "let's find something completely different" and introduce them to a great comedy or documentary series instead. Not everything has to be mysterious rich girls with secrets.

Looking for more show recommendations? or wondering about age-appropriate thrillers? The Screenwise chat can help you find exactly what works for your family.