Cruel Summer_
"The truth is how you see it."
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
Created By
Bert V. Royal
Network
Freeform
Episodes
20
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Overview
Cruel Summer has 2 seasons with 20 episodes spanning 2021-2023.
Sadie Stanley →
Rating
Cruel Summer holds a 7.4/10 rating based on 358 votes.
Year context
Cruel Summer first aired 5 years ago in 2021.
CAST (6)
SEASONS (2 seasons, 20 episodes)
SEASON 1
01
Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner
Taking place over 3 summers in the 90s when a popular teen goes missing, and a seemingly unrelated girl transforms from a sweet and awkward…
02
A Smashing Good Time
It’s time for the annual Skylin Garden Club Party! Year after year after year, the residents of Skylin struggle with the truth around what happened…
03
Off with a Bang
Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.
04
You Don't Hunt, You Don't Eat
Kate, reeling from the lawsuit, prepares her defense and finds friendship in an unlikely source. The annual Wallis hunting trip becomes the setting for an…
05
As the Carny Gods Intended
Jeannette and Kate cross paths at the Skylin High takeover of the County Fair, where one is desperate to prove herself and the other to…
06
An Ocean in Me
A new deposition threatens Jeanette’s case. A discovery causes Cindy’s suspicions about her own daughter to reach new heights as her relationship with Greg becomes…
07
Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis
Kate struggles with a family secret she’s been holding on to. Joy tries to convince Kate to go on “The Marsha Bailey Show.” Mallory has…
08
Proof
On the first day of school, everyone learns that the drama of the summer is anything but over and that some people will pay more…
09
A Secret of My Own
Kate's closely held secrets and fragmented memories of her time in Martin's captivity are brought to the surface.
10
Hostile Witness
Kate and Jeanette's worlds collide as the court date arrives, finally forcing the two young women to answer the question on everyone's mind, but the…
SEASON 2
01
Welcome to Chatham
In Summer 1999, small-town computer genius Megan resents the arrival of outgoing and mysterious foreign exchange student Isabella. Little does she know how her life…
02
Ride or Die
In Summer 1999, Isabella grows closer to Luke while struggling to connect with Megan. In Winter 1999, Isabella searches for justice following the disastrous Christmas…
03
Bloody Knuckles
In Summer 1999, Megan and Isabella bond during an overnight at the Chambers’ cabin. Luke tries to stand up to Brent, but ends up causing…
04
Springing a Leak
In Summer 1999, Megan wants to be adventurous and makes fake IDs for the gang. In Winter 1999, a burst pipe leads the Landrys and…
05
All I Want for Christmas
In Summer 1999, Isabella is rocked by a surprise visit from her past. In Winter 1999, Isabella’s concerns for Megan lead her to some surprising…
06
The Plunge
In summer 1999, sparks fly at Luke's birthday party. In winter 1999, relationships are tested as Megan becomes more distant from Luke. In summer 2000,…
07
It's the End of the World
In winter 1999, tensions are high on Y2K. At the New Year's Eve party, a not-so-secret conversation changes the lives of the trio forever. In…
08
Confess Your Sins
In summer 1999, new friendships are formed and secrets are kept as the crew approaches senior year at the annual school car wash. In winter…
09
The Miseducation of Luke Chambers
Luke examines all his relationships and worries that the pressures of being a “Chambers man” have changed him.
10
Endgame
As timelines collide, friendships implode, new evidence emerges, and the shocking truth is revealed...in more ways than one.
SERIES INFO
2
Seasons
20
Episodes
42 min/ep
Per Episode
Canceled
Status
CREW
Creator
Bert V. Royal
NETWORKS (1)
Freeform
DETAILS
First Aired
Last Aired
Status
Canceled
Seasons
2
Episodes
20
Episode Length
42 min/ep
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.4/10 (358 votes)
Popularity
3
IMDB
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Cruel Summer about?
Taking place over three summers - 1993, 1994, 1995 - in a small Texas town, a beautiful popular teen, Kate, is abducted and, seemingly unrelated, a girl, Jeanette, goes from being a sweet, awkward outlier to the most popular girl in town and, by ’95, the most despised person in America.
Where can I watch Cruel Summer?
Cruel Summer is available on Prime Video, Hulu, Club Illico. Availability varies by region.
How many seasons does Cruel Summer have?
Cruel Summer has 2 seasons with 20 episodes total.
Who created Cruel Summer?
Cruel Summer was created by Bert V. Royal.
Who stars in Cruel Summer?
The cast of Cruel Summer includes Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, Lisa Yamada, Sean Blakemore.
What is the rating of Cruel Summer?
Cruel Summer has a rating of 7.4 out of 10 based on 358 votes on TMDB.
Is Cruel Summer still running?
Cruel Summer was canceled.
GENRES (2)
Drama
Mystery
