10 Shows and Movies Similar to Glee (2009)

Description: The Cheetah Girls, like Glee, is about a group of friends who bond through music. Both feature energetic musical numbers and themes of friendship and following your dreams. The Cheetah Girls is more focused on pop and R&B, while Glee covers a wider range of genres.

Fact: The movie starred Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Sabrina Bryan. It was based on a book series by Deborah Gregory. The soundtrack was a commercial success, with hits like 'Cinderella'.

Description: This show, like Glee, uses music to express emotions and advance the plot. Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist features characters breaking into song in a way that's reminiscent of Glee's musical numbers. Both shows balance humor, heartbreak, and heartfelt performances.

Fact: The show stars Jane Levy as Zoey, who gains the ability to hear people's thoughts as songs. It features a mix of original and cover performances. The show was praised for its innovative use of music and emotional depth.

Description: Camp Rock shares with Glee a focus on young performers and their musical journeys. Both feature ensemble casts and a mix of original and cover songs. The themes of friendship, rivalry, and self-expression are central to both.

Fact: The movie stars Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers. It was a major hit for Disney Channel. The soundtrack was commercially successful, with Lovato's 'This Is Me' becoming a breakout hit.

Description: Victorious, like Glee, is set in a high school for the performing arts and features musical performances. While Glee is more dramatic, Victorious is a comedy, but both shows highlight the talents of their young casts and include plenty of singing and dancing.

Fact: The show starred Victoria Justice and launched the careers of Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies. It was created by Dan Schneider for Nickelodeon. Many of the show's songs were released as singles and albums.

Description: Nashville shares with Glee a deep integration of music into its narrative, focusing on the lives of musicians and performers. Both shows blend drama with musical performances, though Nashville leans more towards country music and the professional music scene. Themes of rivalry, love, and personal growth are central to both.

Fact: Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere starred as rival country singers. The show was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee, adding authenticity. Many of the songs performed on the show were released as albums and charted on Billboard.

Description: Like Glee, Empire is a musical drama that combines personal drama with performance. Both shows feature a mix of original and cover songs, and they explore themes of ambition, family, and identity. Empire focuses more on the music industry and hip-hop, while Glee is centered around a high school choir, but both have a strong emphasis on music as a means of storytelling.

Fact: Empire was created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong. The show was a massive hit for FOX, with its premiere episode drawing over 9 million viewers. Taraji P. Henson's performance as Cookie Lyon became iconic, earning her a Golden Globe.

Description: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend shares Glee's blend of comedy, drama, and musical numbers. Both shows use music to explore their characters' inner lives, though Crazy Ex-Girlfriend leans more into satire and darker humor. The themes of love, mental health, and self-discovery are prominent in both.

Fact: The show was created by and stars Rachel Bloom. It features original songs across various genres. Bloom won a Golden Globe for her performance in the show's first season.

Description: Star, like Glee, is a musical drama that follows a group of young performers striving for success. Both shows feature a mix of original and cover songs and explore themes of ambition, family, and identity. Star has a grittier tone and focuses more on the music industry.

Fact: The show was created by Lee Daniels, who also created Empire. It starred Jude Demorest, Brittany O'Grady, and Ryan Destiny. The show was canceled after three seasons but developed a dedicated fanbase.

Description: While not a musical, Lipstick Jungle shares with Glee a focus on strong, ambitious women navigating their personal and professional lives. Both shows blend drama with moments of humor and explore themes of empowerment and relationships.

Fact: The show was based on the novel by Candace Bushnell. It starred Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price. Despite a strong start, the show was canceled after two seasons.

Description: Smash is similar to Glee in its celebration of musical performance and behind-the-scenes drama. While Glee focuses on a high school setting, Smash delves into the making of a Broadway musical. Both shows feature original songs and covers, and they explore the highs and lows of performing arts.

Fact: Smash was created by Theresa Rebeck and produced by Steven Spielberg. The show starred Katharine McPhee and Megan Hilty as rival actresses. Despite critical acclaim, Smash was canceled after two seasons.