Gilmore Girls fans should see this film

For fans of Gilmore Girls, the search for another story that matches its quick-witted dialogue and small-town charm often leads to the same handful of recommendations. But one film stands out as the closest cinematic cousin to the show’s warmth and humor: Mermaids (1990).

The mother-daughter dynamic that feels like home

Mermaids follows Charlotte (Winona Ryder), a sharp 15-year-old handling life with her free-spirited mother, Rachel (Cher), who moves the family to a new town every time she ends a relationship. The parallels to Gilmore Girls are immediate. Like Lorelai and Rory, Rachel and Charlotte share a bond that blurs the line between parent and friend—full of affection, frustration, and rapid-fire conversations packed with pop culture references.

Charlotte, like Rory, is precocious and book-smart, though her obsessions lean more toward fantasy. Her crush on a convent caretaker, despite being Jewish, mirrors Rory’s tendency to overthink her own romantic entanglements. Rachel, meanwhile, embodies Lorelai’s independence, resisting small-town expectations even as she falls for Lou (Bob Hoskins), a local shoe salesman. Their chemistry is so natural it feels like eavesdropping on a real mother-daughter pair.

A small town that could be Stars Hollow’s cousin

The film’s setting, Eastport, Massachusetts, is the kind of place Gilmore Girls fans would recognize instantly. Quirky locals, a tight-knit community, and a vibe that’s equal parts nostalgic and lived-in—it’s easy to imagine Lorelai opening an inn there or Rory stopping by the diner for coffee. The town’s charm isn’t just backdrop; it shapes the story, offering Rachel a chance to put down roots without sacrificing her identity.

That tension—between belonging and independence—is central to both Mermaids and Gilmore Girls. Rachel’s fear of losing herself in love echoes Lorelai’s own hesitations, while Charlotte’s teenage angst feels like a more dramatic version of Rory’s high school years. The film balances humor and heartache in a way that never feels forced, much like the show’s own mix of levity and emotional depth.

What makes Mermaids worth revisiting isn’t just its similarities to Gilmore Girls, but how it stands on its own. The dialogue crackles, the performances are lived-in, and the small-town atmosphere lingers long after the credits roll. It’s the rare film that feels like comfort food for fans of the show—familiar, but with enough surprises to keep it fresh.

For those who’ve exhausted the original series and its revival, Mermaids is the next best thing to another season in Stars Hollow. It’s available to stream on Fubo or rent on Prime Video for $3.99.