I know that Gilmore Girls covers all the seasons. But in the realms of my imagination, the fictional small town of Stars Hollow is a permanent fall fixture where the leaves are always falling — and Luke's coffee is always piping hot.
I'm not the only person who shares this association. Gilmore Girl Fall is about as seasonally trendy as a pumpkin-spiced latte. Rewatching all seven seasons — and the mini-revival series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life — of the show is practically a fall tradition at this point. It doesn't matter how many times I've watched Rory fumble her way around Chilton or Lorelai make a fashion statement out of her PJs. The theme song and the characters offer a feeling of familiarity and comfort that I'm more than happy to return to.
Even though it's been two decades since the show originally aired, in 2000, fans are still sharing theories and bingeing the show as if it's brand new. But you can only watch the same show for so long. If you've watched the Gilmore Girls universe for the umpteenth time, you might be in need of something new — yet still just as cozy and autumnal.
Fear not, Stars Hollow isn't the only fictional small town out there creating a fall paradise. Read on for 10 other series that are just as comforting and warm as Gilmore Girls.
Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
Credit: Imagine Television, Film 44, and NBC Universal Television
Who's in it: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Jesse Plemons and Zach Gilford
Where to stream: Netflix, Hulu, PeacockTV, and Prime Video
Seasons: 5
You know what takes place in the fall? Football. If you love the drama of a small town, then you'll love this Texas-based drama about a nationally ranked high school football team and their coach as they navigate personal struggles and community scandal. All of the game-time huddles and tailgate parties will have you ready for a cooler climate in no time.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2010)
Credit: Archie Comics Publications and Warner Bros. Television
Who's in it: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch and Lucy Davis
Where to stream: Netflix
Seasons: 4
You don't have to go full-on horror to embrace the whole Halloween aspect of autumn. This witchy drama series follows Sabrina Spellman, a half-human, half-witch teen who's navigating the supernatural realm as she approaches her 16th birthday. The show takes place in Greendale, a small town that will make you feel as if it's always fall time with its evergreen forests and spooky storefronts.
Ginny & Georgia (2021-)
Credit: Blue Ice Pictures, Critical Content, and Dynamic Television
Who's in it: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry and Felix Mallard
Where to stream: Netflix
Seasons: 2
This new series is the perfect blend of Gilmore Girls and a modern-day coming-of-age story. Following Ginny Miller, a 15-year-old girl living in Wellsbury, Massachusetts, with her free-spirited mother, Georgia, it's full of heartwarming moments — and tons of drama. Watching Ginny and Georgia find their way through the quaint New England town will make you long for summer days that transform into crisp fall evenings. Ginny & Georgia was just renewed for a third season, so you can look forward to even more fall vibes soon.
October Road (2007-2008)
Credit: ABC Studios, Group M Entertainment, and Mojo Films
Who's in it: Bryan Greenberg, Laura Prepon and Warren Christie
Where to stream: Hulu
Seasons: 2
With a name like October Road, it's no surprise that this show embodies the feeling of fall time. Like Gilmore Girls and Ginny & Georgia, this series is also set in New England (aka, the home of the best fall foliage). Only this time, it follows a best-selling author who moves back to his hometown in an effort to cure his writer's block. Instead, he gets to face the people he left behind — and wrote about unfavorably in his last novel.
This Is Us (2016-2022)
Credit: Rhode Island Ave. Productions, Zaftig Films, and 20th Century Fox Television
Who's in it: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz and Justin Hartley
Where to stream: Hulu, NBC, Spectrum TV, Bravo, USA, Oxygen, Telemundo, E! and SYFY
Seasons: 6
There's just something about seeing Milo Ventimiglia on the screen that makes me want to curl up in a cardigan and light a pumpkin-scented candle. The actor was a staple in Gilmore Girls (Team Jess forever, OK?) when he was young, and he grew up to be the patriarch of This Is Us, a drama series about a family living in Pennsylvania. This series will give you equal amounts of fall feels and fall tears.
My So-Called Life (1994-1995)
ABC
Who's in it: Bess Armstrong, Wilson Cruz, Claire Danes and Jared Leto
Where to stream: Hulu
Seasons: 1
This iconically '90s comedy drama may have only been around for one season, but it's become a cult classic. Set in the fictional town of Three Rivers, Pennsylvania (not far from Stars Hollow in my imagination), this show follows Angela Chase (Danes), a 15-year-old girl dealing with all the regular ailments that come with being a teen — such as overbearing parents, unrequited love and, of course, cozy sweaters.
Charmed (1999-2006)
Credit: Spelling Television, Paramount Network Television, and Northshore Productions
Who's in it: Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Brian Krause and Rose McGowen
Where to stream: Netflix, PeacockTV, Spectrum TV, Prime Video and Sling
Seasons: 8
It's not fall without a good witchy show. Charmed follows the Halliwell sisters, three witches living in San Francisco who have to juggle fighting off evil forces while trying to lead normal lives. It may not be set in a quintessential fall town, but the magic and mystery of this drama will definitely put you in the mood for sweaters and cider.
Dear White People (2017-2021)
Credit: SisterLee Productions, Culture Machine, and Code Red Productions
Who's in it: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell and DeRon Horton
Where to stream: Netflix
Seasons: 4
This series follows students at the fictional Winchester University and dives into topics of race, sexuality and identity. While the emphasis is more on real-world issues than pumpkin picking, the back-to-school struggles and student camaraderie are, without a doubt, fall-esque.
The Chair (2021)
Credit: BLB Media, Netflix Studios and Netflix
Who's in it: Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass, Bob Balaban and Holland Taylor
Where to stream: Netflix
Seasons: 1
Speaking of campus life, this comedy-drama follows Ji-Yoon Kim (Oh) as she becomes the first woman of color chair at a major university. Between the department she oversees failing and the leaves outside falling, you'd be hard-pressed to find a show more fall-appropriate.
Virgin River (2019-)
Credit: Real World Management
Who's in it: Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson and Alexandra Breckenridge
Where to stream: Netflix
Seasons: 5
This gripping romantic drama follows nurse practitioner Mel Monroe (Breckenridge) as she moves to the small-town Virgin River in search of a fresh start — I mean, what's more fall than that? The community itself may be anything but peaceful, but the lush forests and towering mountains that surround it will make you want to take a drive out to the country for some leaf peeping.
