The Vampire Diaries (2009)
Kernel Score: 91% · 9,494 ratings
Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
First aired: 2009-09-10
Seasons: 8 · 171 episodes
Is The Vampire Diaries worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A teen supernatural soap about vampire brothers and the girl between them. It is melodramatic and long, but fans enjoy the twists, the romance and the way it keeps changing its story.
Watch it if you
- like teen romance mixed with supernatural drama
- enjoy twists and love triangles
- want something long to binge
Skip it if you
- want grounded, realistic drama
- dislike soap-opera plotting
Best for: Binge weekend
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Vampire Diaries
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.
The Vampire Diaries parents' guide: ages 12+
Parents need to know that this TV-14 supernatural teen drama features vampire romance, a love triangle, and stylized violence.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Supernatural conflict among vampires, witches, and werewolves brings recurring danger and stylized violence.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Some — A central love triangle and themes of eternal, interspecies romance drive teen-oriented sexual tension.
- Language: Some — Moderate language consistent with a TV-14 teen drama.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Shows like The Vampire Diaries
If you liked The Vampire Diaries, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- The Originals (2013) — 91%: The spin-off, with darker family drama in New Orleans
- True Blood (2008) — 87%: Adult, steamy vampire drama
- Teen Wolf (2011) — 91%: Another teen drama with creatures and secrets
- Shadowhunters (2016) — 87%: Fantasy romance with monsters
- Supernatural (2005) — 92%: Supernatural drama about two brothers
- A Discovery of Witches (2018) — 88%: Romance and mystery with vampires, witches and daemons
Cast
- Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore
- Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore
- Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett
- Candice King as Caroline Forbes
- Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan
- Michael Malarkey as Enzo St. John
- Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman
The Vampire Diaries FAQ
Is The Vampire Diaries worth watching?
Depends on your taste. A teen supernatural soap about vampire brothers and the girl between them. It is melodramatic and long, but fans enjoy the twists, the romance and the way it keeps changing its story.
Where can I watch The Vampire Diaries?
In the US you can stream The Vampire Diaries on Peacock and HBO Max and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is The Vampire Diaries OK for kids?
The Vampire Diaries is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that this TV-14 supernatural teen drama features vampire romance, a love triangle, and stylized violence.
What shows are like The Vampire Diaries?
If you liked The Vampire Diaries, try The Originals, True Blood, Teen Wolf and Shadowhunters.