If you’re still humming "Don’t Stop Believin’" in the shower or occasionally wondering what ever happened to the "Troubletones," you’ve probably realized something depressing: there really isn't anything exactly like Glee. It was a weird, messy, beautiful accident of television. Ryan Murphy basically threw a Broadway musical, a satirical teen comedy, and a PSA about social issues into a blender and hit "pulse" until it became a cultural phenomenon.
People usually search for shows similar to glee because they miss that specific rush of a high-energy musical number or the high-stakes drama of a choir room. But most "musical" shows fail because they take themselves way too seriously. Glee succeeded because it was unhinged. You need that mix of camp, original (or cover) songs, and characters who are just slightly too much for a normal human to handle.
Honestly, if you're looking for that same hit of dopamine, you have to look beyond just "shows with singing." You need shows that capture the vibe.
The Heavy Hitters: Where the Music Actually Works
Most musical TV shows are, frankly, a bit of a slog. But a few have managed to bottle that lightning without making you want to mute your TV during the bridges.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
This is the one. If you liked the satirical edge of early Glee, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is your new obsession. Rachel Bloom plays Rebecca Bunch, a high-powered lawyer who ditches her life in NYC to move to West Covina, California, to follow her camp crush from ten years ago.
It’s a straight-up musical, but the songs are all original and they cover everything from "The Sexy Getting Ready Song" (which features a very real wax strip) to heavy topics like BPD and self-loathing. It’s smarter than Glee ever was, and every song is a banger. You’ve got choreographed numbers that parody everything from Les Misérables to Beyoncé.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSMTMTS)
Don't let the clunky name or the Disney+ tag scare you off. This isn't just a remake of the Zac Efron movies. It’s a meta-mockumentary set at the actual high school where they filmed the movies. The students are putting on a stage production of High School Musical.
It’s basically Glee but with significantly less bullying and more emotional intelligence. It gave us Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, so you know the vocal talent is actually there. It handles queer relationships and teen identity with a lot more grace than the McKinley High staff ever did, which is a nice change of pace.
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
This one hits the "jukebox musical" itch better than anything else. Zoey (Jane Levy) gets the ability to hear people's innermost thoughts through "heart songs"—massive, choreographed pop numbers that only she can see.
It’s colorful, it’s emotional, and it has Skylar Astin, who was basically born to be in this genre. The way they use songs like "Mad World" or "Help!" to illustrate grief and anxiety is genuinely moving. It’s got that specific Glee DNA of using pop hits to tell a story about things people are too scared to say out loud.
✨ Don't miss: Callum Turner vs Aaron Taylor-Johnson: What's Really Happening With the New James Bond Actor
The Ryan Murphy Factor: Same Brain, Different Genre
Sometimes what you actually miss isn't the singing; it's the chaotic energy of Ryan Murphy’s writing. The man has a signature style: fast-paced dialogue, "mean girl" archetypes with hidden hearts of gold, and a very specific, saturated color palette.
Popular
Before there was Rachel Berry, there was Brooke McQueen and Sam McPherson. Popular was Murphy’s first big show, and it is essentially Glee without the songs. It’s a biting satire of the high school caste system. It only lasted two seasons, but the cult following is real. If you can find a way to stream this (it's notoriously difficult to find legally, but keep an eye on boutique streaming services), it’s a must-watch for any Gleek.
Scream Queens
If you liked the "Cheerios" and Sue Sylvester’s insults, Scream Queens is your spiritual successor. It stars Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) and is created by the same team. It’s a horror-comedy about a serial killer in a sorority house, but the dialogue is pure Murphy. It’s camp, it’s cruel, and it’s hilarious. Just... don't expect a lot of singing. Except for maybe a few moments where the cast just can't help themselves.
The Politician
Ben Platt (of Dear Evan Hansen fame) stars as a high schooler determined to become President of the United States. To get there, he has to win the student body president election first. It’s vibrant, theatrical, and—blessedly—Ben Platt sings a few times per season. It captures that "overachiever who is slightly a sociopath" energy that made Rachel Berry so fascinating to watch.
The Outsiders: Shows That Feel Like Glee (But Aren't)
Sometimes a show doesn't have a single musical note, but it feels like it belongs in the same universe. These are the shows about misfits, high-stakes extracurriculars, and the "us against the world" mentality.
📖 Related: The Eras Tour End Date: What Actually Happened in Vancouver
- Degrassi: The Next Generation: This is the gritty Canadian cousin of Glee. It deals with every single issue you can imagine (and some you can't). If you liked the "Very Special Episode" vibe of Glee, Degrassi is the gold standard.
- Smash: This is basically Glee for adults who live in Midtown Manhattan. It’s about the production of a Broadway musical based on Marilyn Monroe. It’s full of drama, backstabbing, and incredible original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
- Schmigadoon!: Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key get trapped in a town that is literally a 1940s musical. It’s a love letter and a parody all at once. If you know your Rodgers and Hammerstein, you will lose your mind over the references.
Why We Still Care About This Vibe in 2026
The reason we keep looking for shows similar to glee is that television has become very "prestige." Everything is dark, gritty, and shot in shades of gray. Glee was loud. It was neon. It was okay with being "cringe" if it meant hitting a high note.
There was something brave about how the show handled queer identity in 2009. Seeing Kurt Hummel exist on a major network was a big deal. Today, we have shows like Heartstopper or Sex Education that handle these themes better, but they don't have that same "let's put on a show!" energy.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake fans make is assuming a show needs to be "good" to be like Glee. Glee was often terrible! The plotlines made no sense, characters would disappear for weeks, and sometimes the song choices were borderline criminal (we don't talk about the "Blurred Lines" episode).
To find a true replacement, you have to look for something that is willing to take big, stupid risks. You want a show that makes you gasp because of how bold—and potentially disastrous—a creative choice is.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Watchlist
If you're staring at your Netflix home screen and can't decide, here is exactly how to choose your next binge based on your favorite part of Glee:
📖 Related: Why the She's Gotta Have It cast Still Matters in 2026
- If you loved the satire and comedy: Start Crazy Ex-Girlfriend immediately. It’s on Netflix and is four seasons of perfection.
- If you loved the high school drama and ship wars: Check out HSMTMTS on Disney+. It starts a bit "young," but by season 2, the drama is top-tier.
- If you just want to see people sing pop songs: Go for Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist on Peacock or Hulu. It has that jukebox feel you’re craving.
- If you miss the "Glee Club" underdog feel: Try Rise. It only lasted one season on NBC, but it’s about a drama department in a working-class town and hits all those emotional notes.
- If you want the Ryan Murphy campiness: Dive into Scream Queens or The Politician.
Start with the pilot of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. If you aren't hooked by the end of the first musical number, then the musical comedy genre might just be something you only enjoyed in the specific context of 2010. But chances are, you'll be humming the songs by tomorrow morning.