25 Underrated Recommendations If You Enjoyed These Popular TV Shows, Books, And Movies

Here's what you should consume next if you like Get Out, Jane the Virgin, Crazy Rich Asians, and more!

1. Get Out

Universal Pictures, Atria Books

Jordan Peele's psychological thriller Get Out made a huge impact when it first came out, and since then, it's been used in a ton of comp titles. Of course, if you haven't seen Us — which is definitely more horror than thriller — it might be time for you to do so. If you loved Get Out and are looking for a new read, check out When No One Is Watching (2020) by Alyssa Cole. Known for her romance books, When No One Is Watching is Cole's debut thriller and has been pitched as Rear Window meets Get Out. When Sydney and her neighbor Theo begin digging into the history of their ever-gentrifying neighborhood, they discover that the push to revitalize the community may be more deadly than advertised.

Another highly, highly, highly anticipated read for 2021 is The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris, which is Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada — and I can tell you that this book is exactly an original mesh of those two comps. Set against the (super white!) backdrop of publishing, things begin to get unsettling when a second Black girl starts working for Wagner Books. At first, Nella is thrilled — but she begins to get more and more suspicious as hostile notes keep appearing, insisting she leave. When I tell you I GASPED out loud reading the last line of this book! Do yourself a favor and preorder now. (RIGHT NOW.)

2. Crazy Rich Asians

Warner Bros., Netflix / CBC Family

While this might be tonally different from Crazy Rich Asians, White Ivy (2020) by Susie Yang is a compelling novel about a woman's haunting exploration of class and race, which comes to light when she is reintroduced to a childhood classmate: the wealthy, attractive Gideon Speyer. It's a novel I found hard to put down. I highly recommend!

If you want something more lighthearted and fun-filled with family and romantic shenanigans like we see in Crazy Rich Asians, check out Kim's Convenience (2016–present), which is a TV series that follows a Korean-Canadian family throughout their day-to-day lives as they overcome problems with both humor and heart.

3. The Hate U Give

Balzer + Bray, Netflix

NYT bestseller The Hate U Give left a powerful mark on readers when the book first debuted in 2017, and the movie (starring Amandla Stenberg, Issa Rae, and Common) did the story justice. Though When They See Us (2019, directed by Ava DuVernay for Netflix) isn't underrated in the slightest, it's absolutely worth watching if you haven't already. If you're more of a TV person, check out All American (2018–present). Like Starr in The Hate U Give, it follows a protagonist struggling with two different worlds — his roots in South LA and a new opportunity in Beverly Hills.

Both Tyler Johnson Was Here and Dear Martin are extraordinary followups to reading The Hate U Give. Tyler Johnson Was Here (2018) by Jay Coles is an emotional and stunningly told novel about Marvin, a teen who loses his twin brother to police brutality. Dear Martin (2018) by Nic Stone is a compelling, honest story about Justyce, who begins writing letters to Martin Luther King Jr. after a scary, discriminatory incident with the police.

4. The Prom

Netflix, Scholastic

While The Prom (2020, directed by Ryan Murphy) contained very joyful moments, a superstar cast, and perhaps a few things that could have been improved, it did capture the hearts of many who watched. If you adored the relationship between Emma and Alyssa, check out You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) by Leah Johnson. This novel is also set in Indiana and features Liz Lighty, a girl who runs for prom queen because her small town offers a scholarship to the winner. But what happens when she starts falling for a girl named Mack who's also running? It was a Reese's Book Club selection last year and is delightful in every way.

If you loved BOTH The Prom and Dumplin' (2018, starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston), then you're in luck! Pumpkin (2021) by Julie Murphy is the third companion novel in her series and follows Waylon, a fat, openly gay student in a small, West Texas town who is nominated for prom queen as a joke. But Waylon plans to make a big change and run, going out with a very glittery bang. Waylon is a character who is such a delight to follow, so do yourself and favor and preorder now!

5. On My Block

Netflix, Penguin Randomhouse

On My Block is certainly an ensemble show that immerses viewers into an inner-city Los Angeles neighborhood called Freeridge. Fans might also enjoy The Half Of It (2020, starring Leah Lewis and Daniel Diemer), which feels as atmospheric as On My Block. Set in a small town, Ellie Chu agrees to help a word-fumbling jock get with his crush — but struggles with falling for her as well.

Upcoming YA novel Like Home (2021) by Louisa Onome delivers what viewers love about On My Block: an ensemble cast of authentic, fun characters who struggle with relationships with each other and within their small community. When an act of vandalism brights national attention to their neighborhood, Nelo and her friends are left to deal with the aftermath. It comes out very soon, so be sure and preorder now!

6. Jane the Virgin

CW, Hulu

I personally don't think The Bold Type (2017–present) is as hyped as it should be, but you might disagree. Plot twist! There's also a lead character named Jane in this show. If you liked Jane's quirkiness and lived for the drama of her back-and-forth steamy romances, you'll surely love following Jane, Sutton, and Kat — three young women working for a women's magazine in New York City.

Happily Ever Afters (2021) by Elise Bryant debuted this year and has been pitched as Jane the Virgin meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before, so you can thank me once you've devoured this delightful read. It's about a teen named Tessa who's accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school but finds herself with writer's block. To gain some real-life love story inspiration, she accidentally finds herself caught between two very different guys at her school.

7. Insecure

HBO

Can you believe the final season of Insecure is happening this year? Me neither. If you want other things to watch while you wait, check out Issa's movie The Lovebirds (2020, starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani). Filled with both humor and murder, it's a bit of a departure from Insecure, but just as good!

If you haven't started Dear White People (2017–present), it's time. I think this show is as visually stunning as Insecure is, focusing on characters and their growth through different episodes. Another HBO show to watch while you wait for Season 5 is A Black Lady Sketch Show (2020), which is filled with unmatched talent, and Yvonne Orji: Momma, I Made It! (2020), a stand-up comedy special from the actor you'll recognize as Molly on Insecure.

8. Julie and the Phantoms

Netflix, Scholastic Press

Kenny Ortega won over my little millennial heart with High School Musical, among many other iconic movies, and I devoured Julie and the Phantoms like a very satisfying, tasty treat. If you want another lighthearted, feel-good ~Disney-esque~ show, check out Love, Victor (2020) on Hulu. It's a follow-up show to the movie Love, Simon (which came out in 2018) and focuses on Victor, our protagonist, who's new to Creekwood High School as he finds new friendships and questions his sexual identity.

If you're looking for something more paranormal, Ghost Squad (2020) by Claribel A. Ortega is a middle grade novel that might be able to fill that void. Lucely and Syd accidentally cast a spell that awakens malicious spirits and have to find a way to right things.

9. Never Have I Ever

Netflix, Simon & Schuster

Devi is such a fun, strong character throughout Never Have I Ever, which is why Saints and Misfits (2018) by S.K. Ali is a must-read. Janna is a Muslim teen who, like Devi, feels like she doesn't fit in — a self-described "misfit" in her family. It's voicey and heartfelt and unafraid to tackle important issues. And while you're still here, check out everything by Sandhya Menon. You won't be disappointed.

As far as TV goes, Dash & Lily (2020) is a great follow-up to Never Have I Ever. Sure, the holidays might be over, but the exceptional character development and intriguing storytelling will surely appeal to those who became immersed in Devi's story.

10. Euphoria

HBO, Push

Euphoria is tough to follow up because it's so incredible, but if you loved the intricate and deep dive into Euphoria's characters, Looking for Alaska (2019) is a good fit. This felt somewhat like a quiet release, but I could be wrong. It's based on the novel by the same name and follows a group of four friends at a unique boarding school called Culver Creek Academy. Tonally and thematically, it's a show that's unafraid of diving into tough topics.

I Wish You All the Best (2020) by Mason Deaver is a great novel to pick up if you've already watched both shows. When Ben is kicked out after coming out to their parents as nonbinary, they move in with their sister and start over at a new school. It's there that Ben meets Nathan and an easy friendship begins...and then feelings begin to change.