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Freaks and Geeks poster

Shows that feel likeFreaks and Geeks (1999–2000)

High school mathlete Lindsay Weir rebels and begins hanging out with a crowd of burnouts (the "freaks"), while her brother Sam Weir navigates a different part of the social universe with his nerdy friends (the "geeks").

If you loved Freaks and Geeks, the closest series we have are Atypical (2017), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017) and Love, Victor (2020). All three share Freaks and Geeks' contemplative and witty feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Captain Tsubasa (2018).

11 of 12 streaming nowNetflix · Amazon Prime Video · Hulu

If Freaks and Geeks hit the spot, these will too

Atypical poster
Atypical
2017–2021 · 4 seasons · Netflix
★ 8.2drama · comedyNetflix

Two things both keep coming back to: high school and growing up

Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, takes a funny, yet painful, journey of self-discovery for love and independence and upends his family.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel poster
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
2017–2023 · 5 seasons · Prime Video
★ 8.6comedy · dramaPrime Video

Contemplative where it counts, witty underneath

It’s 1958 Manhattan and Miriam “Midge” Maisel has everything she’s ever wanted - the perfect husband, kids, and Upper West Side apartment. But when her life suddenly takes a turn and Midge must start over, she discovers a previously unknown talent - one that will take her all the way from the comedy clubs of Greenwich Village to a spot on Johnny Carson’s couch.

Love, Victor poster
Love, Victor
2020–2022 · 3 seasons · Hulu
★ 7.9comedy · dramaHuluDisney+

The same preoccupation in both: high school

The difference: 21 years apart, and the 2020s show

Victor is a new student at Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate the ups and downs of high school.

Merlí poster
Merlí
2015–2018 · 3 seasons · TV3
★ 8.6comedy · drama

Common ground: growing up

He’s surly, unorthodox, unapologetically blunt, and he’s about to change your life. Meet the new philosophy teacher, Merlí, who will help his students view the world in a whole new light, both in and out of the classroom.

Never Have I Ever poster
Never Have I Ever
2020–2023 · 4 seasons · Netflix
★ 7.8comedy · dramaNetflix

Playful and wistful in the same breath

After a traumatic year, all an Indian-American teen wants is to go from pariah to popular -- but friends, family and feeling won't make it easy on her.

Rebelde poster
Rebelde
2004–2006 · 3 seasons · Univision
★ 7.1drama · comedy

Both keep coming back to the same thing: teen drama

A group of young adults will spend their adolescence at the Elite Way School, where they will learn about love, life and live their passion for music.

Captain Tsubasa poster
Captain Tsubasa
2018–2024 · 2 seasons · TV Tokyo
★ 8.1animation · comedy · dramaNetflixPrime Video

Drama built on stillness, twice over

The difference: Leans harder into animation than Freaks and Geeks does

The passionate story of an elementary school student whose thoughts and dreams revolve almost entirely around the love of soccer. 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora started playing football at a very young age, and while it was mostly just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it developed into something of an obsession. In order to pursue his dream to the best of his elementary school abilities, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams. But although he was easily the best in his old town, Nankatsu has a lot more competition, and he will need all of his skill and talent in order to stand out from this new crowd.

Merlí. Sapere Aude poster
Merlí. Sapere Aude
2019–2021 · 2 seasons · TV3
★ 7.7comedy · dramaNetflix

Witty comedy, and it commits to that

In this drama set at a university, a wayward philosophy student navigate life on campus while seeking guidance from an intriguing new professor.

Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide poster
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004–2007 · 3 seasons · Nickelodeon
★ 7.4comedy · kidsParamount+

One thread runs through both: sitcom

The difference: Trades the stillness of Freaks and Geeks for an angle of its own

The whacky adventures of Ned Bigby and his best pals Moze and Cookie at James K. Polk Middle School, as "every-kid" Ned shatters the fourth wall to share tips and tricks on navigating middle school or junior high hurdles. Ned's not super cool, and he has no superpowers. He is, however, witty, well-groomed, upbeat and self-aware. Moreover, with more than a little help from his two best friends, he's equipped to conquer middle school minefields. From crushing bullies to crushes, from off- the-wall, mean and cool teachers to pop quizzes, elections and detentions, Ned knows that nothing, including the seventh grade, is as bad as it seems, and friendship matters most.

Kamisama Kiss poster
Kamisama Kiss
2012–2015 · 2 seasons · TV Tokyo
★ 8.1animation · comedy · sci-fi & fantasyNetflixHulu

Comedy with a pulse of play, in both cases

The difference: Easier on the stillness than Freaks and Geeks

Nanami was just a normal high school girl down on her luck until a stranger’s lips marked her as the new Land God and turned her world upside down. Now, she’s figuring out the duties of a deity with the help of Tomoe, a reformed fox demon who reluctantly becomes her familiar in a contract sealed with a kiss. The new responsibilities—and boys—are a lot to handle, like the crow demon masquerading as a gorgeous pop idol and the adorable snake spirit who’s chosen the newly minted god to be his bride. As the headstrong Tomoe tries to whip her into shape, Nanami finds that love just might have cute, pointed fox ears. With romance in the air, will the human deity be able to prove herself worthy of her new title?

Everybody Hates Chris poster
Everybody Hates Chris
2005–2009 · 4 seasons · UPN
★ 7.6comedyPrime VideoHulu

Both are built on the same subject: sitcom

Chris is a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused to a predominantly white middle school two-hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and surmounting the challenges of junior high.

She Was Pretty poster
She Was Pretty
2015 · 1 season · MBC
★ 7.5comedy · drama

Both lean on wistfulness more than on drama

A former ugly duckling tries to track down his childhood first love. But what will happen when a case of false identities backfires?

In the mood for more contemplative?

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The best-reviewed series that share Freaks and Geeks’ defining feeling.