Teen TV shows have undergone a huge change in recent years, and gone are the days when teens loved any random show. Teenagers today are specific about their TV show choices. And therefore, to fulfill the rising demand for revolutionary concepts, many new TV shows for teens focus not only on providing entertainment but also on offering value.
Current teen dramas and series showcase a variety of characters from different backgrounds, address issues of race, gender, and sexuality, and include narratives about friendship, identity, and social issues. Such storylines provide relatable and valuable lessons on navigating the complexities of adolescence. As a result, teenagers connect with them instantly.
Read this long list of interesting TV shows for teenagers that are sure to enhance their knowledge and offer them entertainment.
52 Best TV Shows For Teenagers
1. Never Have I Ever
Watch on: Netflix
Based on the complicated life of Devi, Never Have I Ever reflects the life of a teen girl who lost her father and wants to improve her status in school. However, her family and friends make it tough for her to survive school. This is one of the best teen drama shows on TV.
2. The Society
Watch on: Netflix
Full of mystery and thrills, The Society involves a group of teenagers who learn to run their own community and establish orders and alliances as the population of their town vanishes.
3. Euphoria
Watch on: Disney + Hotstar
This is a drama series that depicts the miserable life of a 17-year-old girl, Rue, who is addicted to drugs. The series shows a group of teens’ experiences on drugs, sex, friendships, love, identity, and trauma.
Infographic: Best TV Shows For Teenagers
4. Grown-ish
Watch on: Hulu
Grown-ish is a comedy series that revolves around Zoey, who leaves her family to go to college. Later, she discovers that her journey towards adulthood and her departure from the family is far from how she imagined it to be.
5. Riverdale
Watch on: Netflix
Another mysterious teen drama series, Riverdale explores the dark and weird side hidden behind the perfect image of the town Riverdale.
6. Sex Education
Watch on: Netflix
The takeaway of this comedy-drama is to accept both yourself and your sexuality. This show educates audiences on topics that are seldom discussed and encourages self-acceptance.
7. The O.C.
Watch on: Netflix
The O. C. series centers on Ryan Atwood, who is a gifted and troubled young adult from a broken home. Ryan gets adopted by a wealthy family in Orange County and finds a foster brother there.
8. Boy Meets World
Watch on: Disney + Hotstar
Here is another comedy-drama TV series that chronicles the life events of a young schoolboy, Cory Mathews, and his best friend, Shawn Hunter. They often get into trouble with their school’s funny principal, Mr. Feeny.
9. The Vampire Diaries
Watch on: Netflix
Loaded with fantasy, supernatural, horror, and romantic episodes, The Vampire Diaries has the lead characters Elena, a teenage girl, and Stefan, a 162-year-old vampire. On the first day at high school, Elena meets Stefan and soon starts feeling a connection with him.
10. Wayne
Watch on: Amazon Prime and YouTube Premium
Wayne is an action-comedy TV series that follows a teenage boy, Dirty Harry, who sets out to retrieve the stolen car of his late father along with the help of a girl, Del, whom he has a crush on.
11. Derry Girls
Watch on: Netflix
Derry Girls is a family comedy TV series that revolves around a teen girl, Erin, and her friends. They grow up in a world of armed police in Northern Ireland. Erin is concerned about her boy crush who does not know she exists.
12. Elite
Watch on: Netflix
A thrilling teen drama TV series, Elite revolves around teen relationships between three working-class students enrolled at the school through a scholarship program and their wealthy classmates.
13. Teen Wolf
Watch on: Netflix
Teen Wolf is a supernatural horror TV series in which an awkward teen, Scott McCall, turns into a werewolf after being bitten by an alpha werewolf, a day before the sophomore year.
In her personal blog, Arianna Herrion lists Teen Wolf as her favorite show. She says, “The reason I like Teen Wolf is because I find the action very entertaining & very cool how the show uses makeup to transform them into different breeds of werewolves & other things. I also like the fact that it is a nonfiction story about a teenager that was bitten by a wolf. Another thing I like is that this TV show not only shows what it is like to be a new wolf but it shows how (Tyler Posey) who plays ‘Scott’ juggles both his normal life & wolf life (i).”
14. East Los High
Watch on: Hulu
This teen drama series follows a group of Latino teenagers navigating their last years at a high school in East Los Angeles.
15. My Mad Fat Diary
Watch on: Hulu
This series revolves around the 16-year-old Rae Earl, a fictional writer who navigates body image and mental health problems.
16. Friday Night Lights
Watch on: Hulu
Friday Night Lights is a sports drama TV series that shows the lives of the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in the rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the state football championship is prized above all else.
17. Daria
Watch on: Paramount +
This is an adult animated comedy TV series based on the life of Daria, an intelligent and unpopular girl who navigates her life among the idiotic adolescents at Lawndale High School.
18. The Fosters
Watch on: Amazon Prime and Hulu
A family drama TV series, The Fosters follows the life of Adam Foster’s family, including a lesbian couple, a police officer, and a school vice principal who has one biological son and four adopted teens.
19. All American
Watch on: Netflix
Inspired by the life of an American football player, Spencer Paysinger, this sports TV series is all about a football player struggling to grab a spot in the new team.
20. Pretty Little Liars
Watch on: HBO Max
Pretty Little Liars is a mystery thriller that follows the lives of four teenage girls who fall apart after the disappearance of their leader but later reunite as they begin to receive threat messages from a stranger.
21. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Watch on: Disney +
This is a musical TV series that introduces the theater students of the drama club with their advisors as they make their way for the opening night of their musicals.
22. David Makes Man
Watch on: HBO Max
The series depicts a teen prodigy, David Makes Man. He lives in two different worlds: the streets that raised him, and the school that offers him a way out of poverty.
23. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Watch on: Hulu and Amazon Prime
Based on the supernatural drama, this series revolves around Buffy, a teen girl who is destined to battle against demons, vampires, and other evil forces of darkness.
24. SKAM Austin
Watch on: Facebook
This is a teen drama TV series that focuses on the lives of a group of students of Bouldin High School in Austin, Texas.
25. On My Block
Watch on: Netflix
A combination of comedy and drama, this TV series follows four bright, street-savvy friends navigating their way through high school.
26. PEN15
Watch on: Hulu
Here is another comedy TV series that depicts the life of teenagers in middle school. Adult Maya and Anna, pretending to be their younger selves, are surrounded by actual teenagers.
27. American Vandal
Watch on: Netflix
American Vandal is a true-crime TV series that shows the consequences of high school pranks. One of the aspiring students, Peter Maldonado, finds out who is the main culprit behind these crimes.
28. Runaways
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Filled with adventure and drama, this TV series revolves around six teenagers from various backgrounds who discover that their parents have a dark secret.
29. Julie and The Phantoms
Watch on: Netflix
Julie and The Phantoms is a musical comedy-drama TV series based on the life of a teenage girl, Julie, who discovers her passion for music with the help of a band of teen boys, The Phantoms.
30. Teenage Bounty Hunters
Watch on: Netflix
This is a teen comedy-drama TV series that centers on the life of two fraternal twin sisters, Sterling and Blair, who try to balance their teen life at Southern High School.
31. Dare Me
Watch on: Netflix
Exploring the volatile female friendships, loyalty, jealousy, and dynamics of power, the thrilling series, Dare Me, follows the lives of competitive high school cheerleaders and a fraught relationship between two best friends as a new coach arrives.
32. Looking For Alaska
Watch on: Hulu
A teen mini-series, Looking For Alaska depicts the life of Miles Pudge Halter, who arrives at a boarding school for a deeper understanding of life. He gains a friend circle with loyal friends and falls in love with Alaska.
33. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Watch on: Netflix
Here’s a supernatural horror TV series that is filled with dark fantasy. Sabrina, a teenage witch, struggles to reconcile her dual nature of half-witch and half-human while fighting against the evil forces.
34. Outer Banks
Watch on: Netflix
Full of action, adventure, mystery, and drama, this teen TV series involves a group of teens determined to figure out what happened to the missing father of John B.
35. The End of The F***ing World
Watch on: Netflix
This is a dark comedy-drama TV series revolving around two 17-year-old outsiders, Alyssa and James. Alyssa proposes that they go on an adventure, and James grabs this opportunity to kill her.
36. Switched At Birth
Watch on: Netflix
Switched At Birth is a teen and family drama TV series that revolves around two teenagers who were switched at birth and grew up in different environments.
37. 13 Reasons Why
Watch on: Netflix
This series revolves around a high school student, Clay Jensen, who finds a box in which Hannah Baker, who had committed suicide, mentions her 13 reasons for taking her own life.
38. 7th Heaven
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Here comes one more interesting family drama TV series that centers on the Camden family that includes Reverend Eric Camden, his wife Annie, and their seven children.
39. Freaks and Geeks
Watch on: Netflix
With the add-ons of comedy and drama, this TV series depicts the sad and hilarious unfair teenage life of Lindsay Weir and her younger brother, Sam.
40. Beverly Hills, 90210
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Beverly Hills, 90210 is a teen drama TV series that follows the lives of teen friends residing in the upscale and glamorous community of Beverly Hills in California.
41. Dawson’s Creek
Watch on: Netflix
This is another interesting teen drama TV series that depicts the lives of two childhood best friends, who help each other tackle adolescence.
42. My So-Called Life
Watch on: Amazon Prime and Hulu
The series, My So-Called Life, depicts Angela, a high school student, who is always confused about her exposure to boys, drugs, sex, and friends, and her crush, Jordan Catalano.
43. Party Of Five
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Party Of Five is a teen and family drama that revolves around five siblings who lost their parents in a car accident. Their new situation makes them put aside their personal goals to keep the family together.
44. Gilmore Girls
Watch on: Netflix
This comedy-drama TV series centers on the relationship between a single mother and her teen-daughter. They face many ups and downs in life but share a close bond with each other.
45. Smallville
Watch on: Amazon Prime
A superhero action-adventure TV series, Smallville portrays the many miraculous rescues by the local wonder boy, Clark Kent. However, Clark pretends to be a normal boy.
46. One Tree Hill
Watch on: Amazon Prime
This is a sports drama TV series that follows the lives of two half-brothers, Lucas Scott and Nathan Scott. They start out as enemies but gradually forge a strong bond.
47. Veronica Mars
Watch on: Hulu
This TV series centers around Veronica Mars, a teen student, who is traumatized by the murder of her best friend and solves the toughest murder mystery of the town.
48. Glee
Watch on: Netflix
Glee, a musical comedy-drama TV series, centres on the glee club, a high school show choir. Will takes charge of the glee club and tries to restore its former glory with a group of rag-tag misfit teens.
49. The Wonder Years
Watch on: Amazon Prime
This is a comedy-drama TV series that covers the social and family life of Kevin Arnold, son of Jack and Norma Arnold. The story depicts Kevin’s reflections as an adult in his mid-thirties.
50. Skins
Watch on: Netflix
Skins is a teen comedy-drama TV series that circles around the lives of a group of teenagers dealing with various life issues including substance issues, mental illness, eating disorders, sexuality, and teenage pregnancy.
51. Heartstopper
Watch on:Netflix
Heartstopper is a must-watch if you’re into warm and feel-good shows. Adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, this British series depicts the growing romance between two teenage boys, Nick and Charlie. The show has garnered praise for its tone, pacing, and representation of the LGBTQ+ community and the first season earned nine nominations and five wins at the inaugural Children’s and Family Emmy Awards.
52. Stranger Things
Watch on:Netflix
Stranger Things is an American sci-fi thriller by the Duffer Brothers. The show mixes investigative drama with supernatural elements, infusing horror with childlike sensibilities, while paying homage to the 1980s pop culture. This show will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advantages do teen TV shows provide for viewers?
The benefits of watching TV shows depend on several factors, including the individual perception of the show’s story and characters. In general, watching educational and entertaining TV shows might help your child stay updated with the latest news including that of teen fandom and improve their general knowledge.
2. Why do teens find TV shows so appealing?
Teen TV shows are often a reflection of teen culture, teen fashion, and society. They show attractive characters dealing with issues faced by regular teens. In addition, these shows offer relevant content in attractive packaging that makes it so appealing to their target teen audience.
3. What are the potential risks of watching too much TV for teens?
Too much TV can blur the lines between fact and fiction for teens. TV content may influence teenage behavior, especially when they start emulating a character. Parents should ensure their teen watches good shows that do not glorify crime, violence, or substance abuse.
4. How can I use teen TV shows as teaching tools?
You can leverage the themes and discussions presented in teen TV shows to engage in meaningful conversations with your children about social issues and mental health. You may also use these shows to teach them about the value of friendship and relationships. These conversations can open lines of communication, allowing the teen to express their thoughts and feelings freely.
From comedy dramas to thrillers, teen angst, and horror series, this list of teen TV shows brings you several options you and your teen can binge-watch together. The influences of media on teenagers can be significant, so it’s essential to be mindful of the content and how it might affect them. Set a TV series date with your teen and get ready to spend quality time with them. You can select some of the TV shows based on your teen’s interests and create a list. To make the day more fun, invite some of their friends over and have a fun movie marathon night with them. It will be a great opportunity to meet and gel with your teenager’s friends.
Key Pointers
- Euphoria and My So-Called Life are teen drama series about teen girls showing the impact of friendships, love, identity, sex, and trauma in one’s life.
- The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale, and Teen Wolf are supernatural drama series, perfect for binge-watching.
- While teen drama series like Skins, Dare Me, and My Mad Fat Diary focus on more serious concerns that teens face.
Illustration: Best Teen TV Shows For Binge Watching
Check out these amazing top Teen Dramas of the Last Decade! From heart-wrenching romances to thrilling mysteries, we’ve got it all! Don’t miss out!
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. My favorite TV show is Teen Wolf.
https://ariannaherrion.wordpress.com/2013/09/29/my-favorite-tv-show-is-teen-wolf/
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