It’s never a bad time for shows that celebrate the awkwardness of adolescence.

12 teen shows on Netflix that appeal to Gen Z and Gen X

It's never a bad time for shows that celebrate the awkwardness of adolescence.

By Kelly Martinez

May 14, 2026 4:00 p.m. ET

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Angst in three different forms: 'Dawson's Creek,' 'The End of the F***ing World,' 'Veronica Mars'. Credit:

The WB; Netflix(2)

Teen shows never go out of style, and it’s easy to see why. Even if your high school years weren’t *quite* as glitzy as the 25-year-olds cosplaying as teenagers on The CW, navigating the highs and lows of adolescence is something everyone can relate to. First loves, messy friendships, prom night… it’s all coming back to us now.

Fortunately for teen drama fans, Netflix is home to an endless number of binge-worthy options that should appeal to both Gen Z *and* Gen X. The streamer’s library includes everything from modern classics like *Veronica Mars *to buzzy originals like *XO, Kitty* and *Ginny & Georgia*.

Ready to step back into those high school halls? Read ahead for **’s guide to the 12 best teen shows on Netflix.

Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)

Michelle WIlliams and James Van Der Beek in the roles that made them stars.

It’s been over two decades since *Dawson’s Creek *sailed off our screens, but Kevin Williamson’s generational touchstone continues to resonate with young viewers today.

Starring the late James Van Der Beek as the titular character, the series revolves around the ever-changing relationships between Dawson and his close-knit group of friends. The show catapulted Katie Holmes (Joey), Michelle Williams (Jen), and Joshua Jackson (Pacey) to fame and turned “Team Dawson vs. Team Pacey” into an international obsession.

*Dawson’s Creek *is widely credited for ushering in a new era of youth-centered television; its impact on the teen drama genre simply can’t be overstated.

**Cast:** James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Mary-Margaret Humes

Elite (2018–2024)

'Elite' bros have a group hug while one of them breaks the fourth wall by staring directly at us for some reason.

Manuel Fernandez-Valdes

Sex, lies, and murder collide in this juicy Spanish drama. Set at the fictional (and incredibly expensive) Las Encinas private school, *Elite* chronicles a class-based clash when a handful of working-class students enroll at the prestigious institution on scholarships. Things take a turn when a student is brutally murdered under mysterious circumstances — and everyone’s a suspect.

The eight-part series is packed with wild parties, scandals, and secrets that will make your head spin. Think *Gossip Girl*, but with a lot more corpses.

**Cast:** Omar Ayuso, Itzan Escamilla, Claudia Salas, Mina El Hammani, Valentina Zenere, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper

The End of the F**ing World* (2017–2019)

Perfect disguises for disturbed teen runaways: Floral shirts, leather jackets, and blonde wigs.

A black comedy as addictive as it is disturbing, *The End of the F***ing World *puts us inside the heads of teen misfits James (Alex Lawther) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden), who run away together. The catch? James, a self-described psychopath, plans to kill Alyssa… *at first*. Suffice it to say, she’s not exactly a shrinking violet.

The series balances dark subject matter with a deadpan sense of humor while giving the characters, psychological demons and all, real emotional depth. Strap in for a bloody good time with a side of teen angst.

**Cast:** Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Naomi Ackie

Forever (2025–present)

Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone bring a Judy Blume classic back to life.

This dazzling adaptation of Judy Blume’s beloved novel reimagines the characters as two Black teen athletes in 2018 Los Angeles. As Keisha (Lovie Simone) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) grow closer, their budding romance is complicated by familial pressures to secure college scholarships.

An ode to first love, *Forever *succinctly captures what it’s like to experience relationships, sex, and heartbreak for the very first time — without coming off as preachy or sensational. While the chemistry between Simone and Cooper Jr. is fantastic, it’s the complex parent-child relationships that elevate the series from being just another teen drama.

**EW grade: **B+ (read the review)

**Cast:** Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Wood Harris, Karen Pittman

Ginny & Georgia (2021–present)

Believe it or not, this mother-daughter duo is going to run afoul of the law, Landry 'FNL' season 2-style.

Part teen drama, part crime thriller, *Ginny & Georgia *centers on the unconventional mother-daughter dynamic between Georgia (Brianne Howey) and Ginny (Antonia Gentry) after they move to the idyllic small town of Wellsbury for a fresh start. But starting over isn’t so easy when you’ve got as many skeletons in the closet as Georgia does.

Early reviews were tepid, but the series soon garnered acclaim for its performances and earnest exploration of mental health issues.

Bonus: It’s also a *Degrassi *reunion.

**Cast:** Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Diesel La Torraca, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass, Scott Porter

Heartstopper (2022–present)

Joe Locke and Kit Connor discover the location of the Eiffel Tower in 'Heartstopper'.

A heartwarming “boy meets boy” coming-of-age tale, *Heartstopper *centers on the unexpected romance between openly gay Charlie (Joe Locke) and popular rugby player Nick (Kit Connor). Based on Alice Oseman’s popular webcomic, the series is refreshing in that it lets queer joy shine while not shying away from exploring more serious themes.

Nick and Charlie’s love story has been a winner among fans and critics alike, having scooped up five wins at the inaugural Children's & Family Emmy Awards in 2022.

The saga is set to conclude with a feature film, *Heartstopper Forever*, in 2026.

**Cast:** Joe Locke, Kit Connor, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corrina Brown, Fisayo Akinade, Olivia Colman

Never Have I Ever (2020–2023)

Manish (Utkarsh Ambudkar) and Kamala (Richa Moorjani), two standout supporting characters in 'Never Have I Ever'.

Co-created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, *Never Have I Ever *stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, an Indian-American teenager grappling with the sudden death of her father.

During her final three years of high school, Devi navigates grief, a complicated relationship with her mother (Poorna Jagannathan), and romance. Team Paxton (Darren Barnet) or Ben (Jaren Lewison)? You *must* take a side.

Striking a balance between absurdism and realism, the series stands out as an honest, authentic portrait of the adolescent awkwardness, told from a first-generation immigrant perspective. Plus, there’s no shortage of drama and questionable decisions. We love mess!

**EW grade: **A- (read the review)

**Cast:** Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet

Sex Education (2019–2023)

Asa Butterfield is probably too old to be getting The Talk, but better late than never.

“Everyone has bodies, right? It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

In this raunchy yet heartfelt dramedy, we get to know Otis (Asa Butterfield) and his peers as they navigate the absolute minefield of teenage hormones and sexuality. Oh, and did we mention Otis’ mother (Gillian Anderson) also happens to be a sex therapist?

Blending sharp humor with genuine empathy for its diverse ensemble, *Sex Education* feels like *Big Mouth *and *Skins *had a weird, beautiful baby. The series has received widespread acclaim, including a string of BAFTA nominations.

**EW grade: **A- (read the review)

**Cast:** Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey, Connor Swindells, Aimee Lou Wood

Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

Maddie Phillips and Anjelica Bette Fellini (no relation) in 'Teenage Bounty Hunters'.

Another one-season wonder canceled too soon, *Teenage Bounty Hunters *follows a pair of fraternal twins, Sterling (Maddie Phillips) and Blair (Anjelica Bette Fellini), who become bounty hunters to pay off the damage they caused to their dad’s pickup truck. Who says after-school jobs have to be boring?

There’s mystery, comedy, and no shortage of thrills. The twisty series turns teen drama tropes on their head and keeps you guessing the whole time. It also tackles subjects like race, religion, and queerness with great care. Fans are still reeling from that jaw-dropping cliffhanger reveal in the finale.

**Cast:** Maddie Phillips, Anjelica Bette Fellini, Kadeem Hardison, Virginia Williams, Method Man

Veronica Mars (2004–2007; 2019)

Everygal Veronica Mars daydreaming about getting the scoop on her rich preppy jerk classmates.

Before Kristen Bell was wooing handsome rabbis or building snowmen, she was busy solving crimes on *Veronica Mars*. This sunny yet hard-boiled teen noir stars Bell as the eponymous teenage private investigator, who digs into cases on behalf of her classmates.

The story kicks off just under a year after the unsolved murder of Veronica’s best friend, Lilly (Amanda Seyfried), which turned her into an outcast.

This was Bell’s breakout role, and it’s easy to see why. Audiences fell in love with the character’s quick wit, sharp tongue, and “epic” romance with bad boy Logan (Jason Dohring).

We don’t talk about the ending of the Hulu revival, okay?

**Cast:** Kristen Bell, Percy Daggs III, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Tessa Thompson, Ryan Hansen, Francis Capra

XO, Kitty (2023–present)

The lack of bunny ears in this photo is an indictment on the state of our global youth.

A spinoff of Jenny Han’s popular *To All the Boys *trilogy, this charming rom-com sees Anna Cathcart reprise her role as the youngest Song-Covey sister, Kitty — a teenage “matchmaker” who follows in her late mother’s footsteps and enrolls at an elite boarding school in Seoul.

Along the way, she juggles love triangles, family secrets… and maybe the occasional study sesh. Equal parts swoony and sweet, *XO, Kitty *is a heartfelt love letter to the messy ups and downs of adolescence that will resonate with anyone who’s ever wondered, “Who am I *really*?”

**Cast:** Anna Cathcart, Sang Heon Lee, Choi Min-yeong, Anthony Keyvan, Gia Kim

Young Royals (2021–2024)

Edvin Ryding (prince) and Omar Rudberg (sadly, not a prince) in 'Young Royals'.

A grittier, more intense cousin of *Heartstopper*, this underrated queer Swedish drama chronicles the relationship between boarding school students Prince Wilhelm (Edvin Ryding) and Simon (Omar Rudberg). Needless to say, dating a closeted prince comes with plenty of complications.

Perfect for fans of *Red, White, and Royal Blue* — or forbidden romance in general — *Young Royals *is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Ryding and Rudberg’s chemistry will have you rooting for the boys to get their happy ending no matter how tumultuous the journey is along the way.

**Cast:** Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger, Frida Argento, Nikita Uggla

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