How to watch

XOXO — Gossip Girl debuted in 2007 and became one of the defining teen dramas of its era. Based on Cecily von Ziegesar's book series, the original show ran for six seasons and made stars out of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, and Penn Badgley. In 2021, HBO Max launched a new generation of Gossip Girl set in the same world but centered on a fresh group of students. If you want to experience the full Upper East Side saga, here's how to watch it all.

🕐 Release Order

Release order is the natural and recommended way to experience Gossip Girl, letting the original series set the tone before the reboot reimagines it.

1. Gossip Girl — Seasons 1–6 (2007–2012)
2. Gossip Girl (Reboot) — Seasons 1–2 (2021–2023)

The reboot is set in the same fictional universe — the same school, the same social hierarchy — but features an entirely new cast and a modern take on social media culture replacing the original blog format.

📖 Story Chronology

Story chronology follows release order since the reboot is set in the present day, roughly a decade after the original ended. The events do not overlap; they are sequential stories in the same setting.

1. Gossip Girl — Seasons 1–6 (2007–2012, story set in 2007–2012)
2. Gossip Girl (Reboot) — Seasons 1–2 (2021–2023, story set approximately a decade later)

Which Order Should You Choose?

Start with the original six-season run before touching the reboot. The 2021 series contains nods and Easter eggs that pay off better if you're familiar with the original. The reboot stands on its own, but watching it cold means missing a layer of nostalgia and context. The original series is a near-perfect example of its genre, while the reboot is enjoyable if you go in knowing it's a different beast with a darker, more self-aware tone.

🔗 Related Guides

• Friends Watch OrderGuide
• Bridgerton Watch OrderGuide
• Suits Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!