If you’ve watched All American, you know it’s a gem. April Blair created it for television, inspired by the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger. This CW drama follows the life of Daniel Ezra’s Spencer James. He moves from the neighborhood of Crenshaw to Beverly Hills and is a high school footballer juggling life on and off the field.
It’s rare to find a show that mixes competitive sports and high school drama. All American combines these genres, making it a wholesome show. Themes like teamwork and family dynamics make it even more worthy of a watch.
All American came to our screens with its first-ever episode on October 10, 2018. In the course of six years, the show has released six seasons. While fans await the arrival of the next season, here’s a round-up of 10 shows that feel similar to All American.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author’s opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
10 shows like All American you must watch if you liked The CW sports drama
1) All American: Homecoming
Nkechi Okoro Carroll is the creator of this All American spin-off. All American: Homecoming first came to the screens on February 21, 2022, on The CW.
Be prepared to explore the life of college goer Simone Hicks, played by Geffri Maya. Drifting apart from the world of football, this show is about college tennis. Simone has to deal with the challenges of being a young adult and the pressure of being a student-athlete.
This series gravitates towards ambitions, identity, and relationships. Simone dreams of being a pro tennis player, while her schoolmate Damon Sims dreams of becoming a university-level baseball player.
You can watch All American: Homecoming on Netflix to learn more about their world.
2) Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights sets the benchmark for a high school football drama. If you enjoyed All American, you will enjoy this NBC show, too. Developed by Peter Berg for television, this series is inspired by H.G. Bissinger's book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream (1990).
Set in Dillon, Texas, this small-town show is about the Dillon Panthers and coach Eric Taylor, played by Kyle Chandler. The show premiered on October 3, 2006, and touches upon the lives of the players, coaches, and their family members. If you like intense drama, this series delivers an authentic look at the ups and downs of being part of a sports team in a small, close-knit community.
You can watch this series on Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.
3) Last Chance U
If you love All American for its realistic portrayal of the sports world, you will love Last Chance U. This is a raw, unscripted documentary of student-athletes fighting for success. If you're not into a run-of-the-mill series, Netflix’s Last Chance U is a perfect match for you.
This series focuses on the football program at East Mississippi Community College. It follows junior college football players with difficult pasts working hard to reclaim their dreams of playing at top-tier schools.
You will bear witness to the struggles of some players who come from extremely underrepresented backgrounds. Themes of redemption and final chances run through the veins of the show. Like All American, you can experience the highs and lows of emotions in this raw depiction of young athletes’ successes and failures.
You can catch this series on Netflix.
4) Titletown High
This Netflix reality series is essentially All American if it were a reality series. It is about the lives of teen football players at Valdosta High School in Georgia. They have to deal with their personal lives and strike a balance between academics and sports.
Amidst all this, the pressure is high, and they must remain patient as they navigate life. This series is about achieving your dreams while maintaining friendships and romance and keeping up with family expectations.
Titletown High can be streamed on Netflix.
5) Pitch
Pitch is a Fox drama that you wouldn’t want to miss. Created by Dan Fogelman and Rick Singer, this sports drama is focused on Ginny Baker, played by Kylie Bunbury. She becomes Major League Baseball’s first woman player.
This is a quick watch with just one season. The series is perfect for those who love watching series with themes of gender barriers. Ginny has to prove herself worthy by standing out in the male-dominated world.
She also has to battle familial issues and deal with pressures. This inspiring show dives deep into the struggles on and off the field, like in All American, and tops it with plenty of drama.
You can watch this series on Prime Video.
6) Bel-Air
You are not wrong if this reminds you of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This is a reimagination of the sitcom. Developed for television by Morgan Cooper with Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson, Bel-Air is another series similar to All American. It touches upon similar aspects of exploring identity and culture clash.
Will, portrayed by Jabari Banks, must navigate his life in the wealthy world of Los Angeles after being uprooted from West Philadelphia's streets. This series is perfect for those looking for a series that explores sensitive topics like race, class, and culture.
You can watch Bel-Air on Peacock.
7) On My Block
On My Block focuses on teens in underserved communities trying to make it in life. Yes, it sounds a lot like All American. Hence, this is a must-watch. These teens must figure out high school and life simultaneously.
It’s a rough world for the four teens whose friendship is threatened as they transition to high school. Created by Lauren Iungerich with Eddie Gonzalez and Jeremy Haft, On My Block will make you laugh and cry with its heartfelt moments. Be prepared to be reminded of life’s struggles as a teenager and witness gang violence.
If you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster like All American, this is it for you.
You can watch On My Block on Netflix.
8) One Tree Hill
Scratch the All American itch with One Tree Hill, as it shares a lot more in common than you might imagine. This series is initially a basketball-centric drama that focuses on the bond between two half-brothers.
Lucas and Nathan are basketball players. Lucas joins Tree Hill Ravens, where his half-brother, Nathan, is the team captain. They are enemies not just on the field but also off it, as Lucas seems to have an interest in Nathan's girlfriend.
The drama is driven by the brothers’ class divide, similar to Spencer's transition. However, the series eventually branches out to accommodate friendships, romance, and family tension.
You can watch One Tree Hill on Hulu.
9) The O.C.
Just like All American, The O.C. tells the story of an individual from an underserved background. Ryan Atwood is gifted but comes from a broken home. He must adjust and navigate his life when adopted by a wealthy family while maintaining his authenticity.
Though the series does not focus on sports, the themes of identity and class difference resonate with the themes of All American.
You can watch the series on Max.
10) Euphoria
All American and Euphoria are similar in terms of emotional struggles and darker themes. However, Euphoria digs deeper into the latter. Both series touch upon similar themes of addiction and the struggles of teen life. Euphoria is a gritty depiction of teenage problems.
Written and created for HBO by Sam Levinson, Euphoria explores the life of Zendaya’s Rue Bennett. She has to navigate life after rehab. Previously a drug addict, this troubled teenager finds it difficult to remain sober and maintain relationships. Rue might be the main character, but the show also shows the lives of the other characters.
You can watch Euphoria on Max.
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