What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSex and the City
Amy Sohn · Book · 2002
If you loved Sex and the City, start with Sex and the City (Darren Star, 1998) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Sex and the City across media.
If you loved Sex and the City, you crave the messy, candid intersection of urban living, female friendship, and romance.
Start with the source
The source
Sex and the City
Darren Star · Series · 1998
Adaptation
Sex and the City
Michael Patrick King · Film · 2008
Adaptation
Sex and the City 2
Michael Patrick King · Film · 2010
Films on the same thread
Sin City
Robert Rodriguez · Film · 2005
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Revenge, Corruption.
If Sex and the City hit, Sin City shares the thread.
When Harry Met Sally...
Film · 1989
Explores: Friendship vs Romance, Gender Dynamics, Unrequited Love.
Like Sex and the City, this film navigates the complicated transition from friendship to romance, exploring the gender dynamics that make dating in the city so notoriously challenging.
City of God
Fernando Meirelles · Film · 2002
Explores: Poverty and Violence, Cycle of Crime, Lost Innocence.
If Sex and the City hit, City of God shares the thread.
Shortbus
John Cameron Mitchell · Film · 2006
Explores: Sexual Exploration, Emotional Intimacy, Urban Loneliness.
This film mirrors the sexual exploration and emotional intimacy found in Sex and the City, capturing the unique, sometimes lonely, atmosphere of life in New York City.
Series on the same thread
Friends
Marta Kauffman · Series · 1994
Explores: Friendship, Relationships, Coming of Age.
If you valued the bond between the four main characters in Sex and the City, you will find a similar comfort in this group navigating adult relationships.
30 Rock
Tina Fey · Series · 2006
Explores: Corporate Culture, Absurd Humor, New York City.
Fans of Sex and the City will appreciate this sharp look at a professional woman balancing a demanding career and personal life within the vibrant NYC landscape.
Broad City
Ilana Glazer · Series · 2014
Shares a thread with Sex and the City: Female Friendship.
This series offers a modern, unfiltered take on female friendship and urban life that echoes the bold, unapologetic spirit that made Sex and the City a cultural phenomenon.
How I Met Your Mother
Carter Bays · Series · 2005
Explores: Friendship, Dating, Nostalgia.
This show captures the same nostalgic warmth of a tight-knit friend group navigating the ups and downs of dating that defined the heart of Sex and the City.
Podcasts on the same thread
Extra Dirty with Hallie Batchelder
Hallie Batchelder · Podcast
Shares a thread with Sex and the City: Female Friendship.
This podcast channels the sex-positive, candid nature of Sex and the City, offering listeners a raw and humorous look at the realities of dating in New York.
Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper · Podcast · 2026
Explores: female empowerment, sexual autonomy, brutal honesty.
Just as Sex and the City encouraged open dialogue about modern relationships, this podcast fosters a space for brutal honesty regarding sexual autonomy and the dating scene.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Sex and the City series and movies?
You should begin with the 1998 Sex and the City television series. After completing the show, watch the 2008 film titled Sex and the City, followed by the 2010 sequel titled Sex and the City 2 to follow the full narrative arc of the characters.
Is Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell an official companion to the show?
Yes, the 2002 book Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell serves as an official fan bible. It provides a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the first four seasons of the Sex and the City television program, detailing its production and cultural impact.
How many seasons of the original Sex and the City television show were released?
The original Sex and the City television program ran for four seasons before the release of the 2002 book Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell. These seasons established the show as a national phenomenon known for its blend of humor, glamour, and candor.
Should I read the book Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell if I am a fan of the movies?
If you enjoy the Sex and the City franchise, this book offers insight into the winning formula that defined the early seasons of the show. It acts as a companion piece to the television series that preceded the 2008 and 2010 Sex and the City movies.