What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSex and the City
Michael Patrick King · Film · 2008
If you loved Sex and the City, start with Sex and the City (Darren Star, 1998) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Sex and the City across media.
If you loved Sex and the City, you will appreciate these stories that celebrate the messy, vital bonds of female friendship and city living.
Start with the source
The source
Sex and the City
Darren Star · Series · 1998
Adaptation
Sex and the City 2
Michael Patrick King · Film · 2010
Books on the same thread
Summer in the City
Alex Aster · Book
Explores: billionaire romance, career ambition, serendipity.
Like the career-focused protagonists in Sex and the City, this story balances professional ambition with the unpredictable nature of modern romance and the thrill of city life.
Something Borrowed
Emily Giffin · Book · 2005
Explores: Friendship, Moral Dilemma, Infidelity.
This novel captures the complicated moral dilemmas and messy relationship dynamics that defined the lives of the characters in Sex and the City while centering on female friendship.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
While more tragic than Sex and the City, this classic explores the same obsession with wealth, social status, and the pursuit of love in a bustling urban environment.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Truman Capote · Book · 1958
Explores: New York City Life, Socialite Culture, Moral Ambiguity.
The original literary portrait of a glamorous, independent woman navigating New York City, this novella provides the foundational spirit of freedom and moral ambiguity seen in Sex and the City.
Series on the same thread
Friends
Marta Kauffman · Series · 1994
Explores: Friendship, Relationships, Coming of Age.
If the core appeal of Sex and the City was the support system of a tight-knit urban friend group, this sitcom offers that same comforting, relatable portrait of companionship.
How I Met Your Mother
Carter Bays · Series · 2005
Shares 2 threads with Sex and the City: Urban Life, Romantic Comedy.
Much like Sex and the City, this series uses the lens of long-term friendship to explore the highs and lows of dating and the inevitable evolution of young adulthood.
Girlfriends
Mara Brock Akil · Series · 2000
Shares 3 threads with Sex and the City: Female friendship, Dating in the city, Dramedy.
This series mirrors the structure of Sex and the City by focusing on the unique perspectives and career ambitions of four women navigating life and love in the city.
Sex Education
Laurie Nunn · Series · 2019
Explores: Sexual Awakening, Teenage Angst, Social Awkwardness.
While younger in tone, this show tackles the same frank, open conversations about sexual exploration and relationship dynamics that made Sex and the City a cultural landmark for audiences.
Podcasts on the same thread
Call Her Daddy
Alex Cooper · Podcast · 2026
Explores: female empowerment, sexual autonomy, brutal honesty.
This podcast serves as a modern extension of the candid, no-holds-barred advice and discussions about sexual autonomy that were central to the legacy of Sex and the City.
Seis de Copas
Podcast
Shares a thread with Sex and the City: female friendship.
These casual conversations between friends capture the intimate, honest spirit of the brunch chats that defined the social world of the women in Sex and the City.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch the Sex and the City movies and series?
You should begin with the Sex and the City television series that premiered in 1998. Following the series, you should watch the 2008 Sex and the City movie, which depicts the wedding of the main character. Finally, you can watch the 2010 sequel, Sex and the City 2.
Is Sex and the City based on a book?
Yes, there is a book titled Sex and the City published in 2002. This book serves as part of the source material for the franchise, which also includes the 1998 television series and the 2008 film directed by Michael Patrick King.
Does the 2008 Sex and the City movie follow the television series?
Yes, the 2008 film Sex and the City continues the narrative established in the 1998 television series. It focuses on the main character's wedding to Mr. Big and the support she receives from her three best girlfriends after she is unexpectedly jilted before the ceremony.
How many Sex and the City movies are there?
There are two feature films in the franchise. The first is Sex and the City, released in 2008, which follows the main character as she prepares to marry Mr. Big. The second film, Sex and the City 2, was released in 2010.