The Bear is a psychological comedy-drama that touches on hard topics like grief. If you want more shows like The Bear, then keep reading, as we’ll not only break down the best recommendations, by why they’re similar.
In The Bear, Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy Berzatto who is an award-winning chef returning to his hometown of Chicago to manage the chaotic kitchen at his deceased brother’s sandwich shop. It’s a moving drama with diverse characters that is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Here are some of the best shows like The Bear to keep you entertained if you’re craving more like it.
6. Beef, Netflix (2023-Present)
The Bear is a stressful show to watch. There is continuous drama, constant agitation between characters, and always something going on. If you like the tension in the air while you watch TV, then one of the best shows like The Bear is Beef.
Beef is a comedy-drama miniseries starring Steen Yeun and Ali Wong as Danny Cho and Amy Lau. The two strangers whose involvement in a road rage incident escalates into a prolonged feud that slowly consumes their every thought and action.
Related: Everything to Know About The Bear Season 3
5. Shameless, Netflix (2011-2021)
One of the many reasons fans keep watching The Bear is simply because of Jeremy Allen White. He’s beloved by so many fans. If you just want to explore more of his skills, then Shameless is the one for you.
It’s a comedy-drama that has the same chaotic energy as The Bear, focusing on an ensemble cast, mainly the scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family that makes no apologies for the antics that they do. And with 11 seasons, you’ll be binging it for a while.
Read More: The Bear Review: New Season Sparks Fanfare
4. Atlanta, Hulu (2016-2022)
Another one of the best shows like The Bear that doesn’t have anything to do with culinary is Atlanta. The comedy-drama, created and starring Donald Glover, follows a college dropout and music manager moving back to their hometown.
While there, they not only struggle with everyday obstacles as Carmy does back at home but have to navigate being back in familiar territory while achieving their goals of becoming a success.
3. Shrinking, Apple TV (2023-Present)
Exploring grief is an interesting, yet devastating topic. But if you enjoy exploring it, and felt a connection to Carmy as he tried to understand his emotions with his brother passing, then you might enjoy Shrinking. It’s one of the best shows like The Bear and stars Jason Segal and Harrison Ford.
The show focuses on Segel who is a grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in his patient’s lies.
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2. Hell’s Kitchen, Hulu (2005-Present)
Some of the best shows like The Bear also focus on cooking, like Hell’s Kitchen. While a reality show, this is the best option if you like watching Carmy rip apart his chefs for doing and cooking absolutely horrid things. Gordon Ramsey is the culinary king and is also known for his wild cursing and yelling on live TV.
The reality cooking show features a group of chefs who want to be the next Head Chef at one of Ramsey’s restaurants, but in order to do that, they must compete against each other each week in various challenges until there’s only one spot left. There are currently 23 seasons with more to come, making it the best show to binge right now.
Also Read: Best Hulu Original Movies
1. Sweetbitter, Max (2018-2019)
While Carmy moved from working in lavish kitchens in fine dining to a corner shop, Tess does the opposite, moving to New York City and landing a job at an upscale restaurant. Sweetbitter is one of the best shows like The Bear because of this.
The drama not only follows her life in the kitchen, but the drama, chaos, learning, and more of the kitchen life and the new world around her in New York. The coming-of-age story is set against a rich and grimy backdrop of exclusive restaurants that evoke curiosity in not only Tess but also in the viewers.