9 Movies and Shows Like ‘Desperate Housewives’ (2004)

Description: This installment of the franchise shares with 'Desperate Housewives' its focus on family drama, Italian-American culture, and explosive conflicts among neighbors. Both blend humor with intense interpersonal drama.

Fact: Known for the infamous table flip incident in season Features the Guidice and Gorga family feud. Teresa Giudice became the first Housewife to serve prison time during the show's run.

Description: While more focused on legal drama, 'The Good Wife' shares with 'Desperate Housewives' a strong female protagonist navigating personal and professional challenges in an affluent setting. Both shows explore themes of betrayal, reinvention, and power dynamics.

Fact: Julianna Margulies won two Emmys for her role. Spawned a spin-off, 'The Good Fight'. Known for its guest stars, including Michael J. Fox and Carrie Preston.

Description: Sharing 'Desperate Housewives' themes of secrets, lies, and suburban drama, this show adds a younger perspective with its teen protagonists. Both series feature mystery elements and a tight-knit group of female friends hiding dark truths.

Fact: Based on the book series by Sara Shepard. Held the record for most-tweeted TV series episode in 201Spawned two spin-offs: 'Ravenswood' and 'Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists'.

Description: While unscripted, this reality series captures the affluent suburban drama and interpersonal conflicts that made 'Desperate Housewives' compelling. Both showcase wealthy women navigating friendships, scandals, and personal crises.

Fact: Features Lisa Vanderpump, who later got her own spin-off. The show documented Taylor Armstrong's real-life domestic abuse situation. Known for its lavish parties and lifestyle porn.

Description: Like 'Desperate Housewives', this series delves into the dark underbelly of seemingly perfect suburban lives, with a focus on female friendships, secrets, and murder. Both shows balance drama with moments of humor and feature strong ensemble casts.

Fact: Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. Won 8 Emmy Awards in

Description: Created by Marc Cherry (same as 'Desperate Housewives'), this anthology series shares the darkly comedic tone and themes of infidelity, secrets, and murder among affluent women. The storytelling style and visual aesthetics are reminiscent of 'Desperate Housewives'.

Fact: Each season follows different women in different decades. Lucy Liu directed one of the episodes. The first season features three interconnected stories spanning 1963, 1984, and

Description: As the original 'Housewives' franchise, it inspired the suburban drama aesthetic that 'Desperate Housewives' later fictionalized. Both explore the tensions beneath perfect suburban facades, though one is reality and the other scripted.

Fact: The first installment in the 'Real Housewives' franchise. Originally focused on Coto de Caza gated community. Launched the careers of several reality stars including Gretchen Rossi and Vicki Gunvalson.

Description: This series mirrors 'Desperate Housewives' in its wealthy suburban setting, themes of secrets and betrayal, and a mix of drama and soapy elements. Both shows feature a mysterious narrator and a central female-driven revenge plot.

Fact: Loosely inspired by Alexandre Dumas' 'The Count of Monte Cristo'. Emily VanCamp's character was originally named Emily Thorne as an anagram for 'Monte Cristo'. The Hamptons setting was actually filmed in North Carolina.

Description: Similar to 'Desperate Housewives' in its blend of drama, mystery, and dark comedy, 'Devious Maids' explores the lives of domestic workers entangled in the secrets of their wealthy employers. Both shows share a creator (Marc Cherry) and feature a mix of scandal, humor, and suburban intrigue.

Fact: The show was initially developed as a spin-off of 'Desperate Housewives' but evolved into its own series. It was inspired by the telenovela 'Ellas son... la alegría del hogar'. Eva Longoria served as an executive producer.