The idea of a small town in real life doesn't sound nearly as charming or exciting as it does in the world of fiction. As one of the grounds for countless romance novels on top of movies and TV shows, it's beloved for a reason. For the longest time now, these renowned fictional small towns have become a part of the cultural zeitgeist in a way that's especially comforting when it feels the bigger world outside is too overwhelming, cold, and unwelcoming.
Pair a charming small town with swoon-worthy romances and the show will easily become a comfort watch for so many of us. From Virgin River (2019) to Gilmore Girls (2006), here are some of the best small-town romances, as well as where you can stream them on platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, and more.
Virgin River (2019-present)
No one has a bigger love/hate relationship with Virgin River than I do. While the show is full of way too much drama at times, it's still impossible to give up on these characters and their love stories and to leave this ridiculously cheesy town behind until the showrunners finally tell us it's the last season. And ultimately, Alexandra Breckenridge's Mel Monroe is too delightful a character not to root for her happy ending.
Virgin River is perfect for viewers who didn't mind how wildly absurd One Tree Hill (2003) drama got. If you love chaos alongside your romance, then this is the drama that'll scratch all the right itches. It's not as quirky as most small town romances, but it delivers a more serious exploration of what it means to live in one, and all the relationships people find themselves tangled in.
Gilmore Girls (2000-2006)
Whether people watched Gilmore Girls or not, Stars Hollow is basically the reason we're all obsessed with small town romances now, isn't it? Of all the entries on this list, nothing tops the legacy of this quirky location and all its characters, despite how dramatic some matters were. From Luke's diner to every town hall meeting, the show's even synonymous with fall now, giving us the kind of comfort watch that's easy to look back on.
The most frustrating part of the series's relationships was always Rory's arcs that have left us with long-standing teams like "Team Jess, Team Logan, and even Team Dean." But really, it's Luke and Lorelai's relationship that's the best example of the grumpy and sunshine dynamic that makes the show an absolute must-watch for fans of the trope. There will be drama, but the antics of every Stars Hollow citizen make it well worth it.
Anne With an E (2017-2019)
While it was unfortunately cancelled too soon and leaves us with cliffhangers, a list centered around small town romance shows would feel incomplete without Anne With an E. In many ways, Anne and Gilbert were integral to so many of us when we were younger, so getting a new version of them like in the show, was a perfect feat. Amybeth McNulty is exceptional at layering the titular character with heart, and everything she brings to the show makes it comforting.
And though we don't officially have the kind of ending that makes it a fully fleshed-out story, it's still lovely throughout. The short time we get to spend with these characters makes it sweet still, and the relationship development is thoroughly nuanced to leave us with a solid adaptation. If you've ever loved the character or the ship, the adaptation is a must-watch.
Hart of Dixie (2011-2014)
The closest small-town romance that's ever come to filling the void left behind at the end of Gilmore Girls has been Hart of Dixie. It certainly helps that some of the set is recognizable from the Warner Brother's studio lot, but it's also largely because of the ample heart that makes it so cozy and easy to binge. I'd personally even go far enough to say that, for me, I'm choosing Bluebell over Stars Hollow, solely because it's a bit more wild at times.
And unlike Gilmore Girls, while there's certainly drama and love triangles, the opposites attract relationship between Rachel Bilson's Zoe Hart and Wilson Bethel's Wade Kinsella is top-tier. It’s genuinely one of the best depictions of neighbors to friends to lovers with a splash of animosity in between and all the juicy drama. Hart of Dixie has something for everyone, but it's especially perfect for those who love found families and shows that feel like summer.
The Way Home (2023-present)
If you consider the vibes in Practical Magic (1998) as a small town blissfully magical escape, as I do, and simultaneously appreciate the generational bonds between the Gilmore women in Gilmore Girls, then you're sure to love The Way Home. The Landry women might not be witches, but their family is known to have the ability to time-travel, and their small town, Port Haven, is a gorgeous escape.
The ‘70s and '90s and even the early 19th century eras the show takes us through, as well as the 2000s makes it even more intriguing. Time travel can often get too complex and muddied, but the series's creators are so careful with how they handle everything that you're bound to appreciate every decision the show makes. At the same time, it simultaneously delivers a fresh take on small towns and romances that are bound to tug on the heartstrings with every episode. Come prepared with tissues.
Sweet Magnolias (2020-present)
Sweet Magnolias is a bit on the saccharine side at times, but like Virgin River, the romances and found family relationships are worth every minute. Specifically, the friendship between the three leading women, known as the Magnolias, is one of the best showcases of female friendships we've had in the last decade.
At the same time, the romances they're each involved in, as well as a few other characters like some of their kids, are not only thoroughly entertaining but they're also incredibly well written and easy to appreciate. The series doesn't have as much drama between the relationships, so if you prefer steadiness but don't mind a little cheesiness every now and then, then Sweet Magnolias is the show for you.
When Calls the Heart (2014-present)
If long-running dramas like Heartland (2007) are your jam, then you'd appreciate When Calls the Heart and all that it has to offer, with romances, friendships, and a small town that endures and survives tragedies far more than any place should. Now in its thirteenth season, there's a lot that happens throughout the show that's both enticing and incredibly heartbreaking.
Our main character, Elizabeth Thornton, even loses her first husband, so if character deaths aren't your thing, then I'd steer clear. But if you want a depiction of love after loss, hope, and what it means to move forward while growing through grief, the show delivers on all fronts. More than anything, it's the town of Hope Valley that's surprisingly so progressive and lovely, which makes the entire show and all its characters thoroughly compelling.
