Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
WeirdThe 17 Best Teen Dramas on Netflix
By Kayla Cobb
@kaylcobb
Published
May 13, 2019, 9:00 p.m. ET
1 of
18
These teens put your high school antics to shame.
Photos: NETFLIX ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
2 of
18
Elite
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
That's right, the best rated teen drama on Netflix is a Spanish-languae deep dive into private school, and you better believe it delivers. The series follows three working class kids who are given scholarships to attend the prestigious Las Encinas. It quickly becomes apparent that studying is the least of their concerns.
[Stream Elite on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
That's right, the best rated teen drama on Netflix is a Spanish-languae deep dive into private school, and you better believe it delivers. The series follows three working class kids who are given scholarships to attend the prestigious Las Encinas. It quickly becomes apparent that studying is the least of their concerns.
[Stream Elite on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
3 of
18
Stranger Things
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Few shows in this subgenre are bigger than the Duffer brothers' sci-fi event. Set in the '80s this nostalgia-filled romp follows a group of kids who have to save their missing friend while facing all sorts of paranormal creepiness. This one is going to leave you wanting waffles.
[Stream Stranger Things on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Few shows in this subgenre are bigger than the Duffer brothers' sci-fi event. Set in the '80s this nostalgia-filled romp follows a group of kids who have to save their missing friend while facing all sorts of paranormal creepiness. This one is going to leave you wanting waffles.
[Stream Stranger Things on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
4 of
18
On My Block
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This Netflix series follows a quartet of streetwise teens as they navigate their way through the hell that is high school. If you're craving a grittier take on the genre, Monse, Ruby, Jamal and Cesar have your back.
[Stream On My Block on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
This Netflix series follows a quartet of streetwise teens as they navigate their way through the hell that is high school. If you're craving a grittier take on the genre, Monse, Ruby, Jamal and Cesar have your back.
[Stream On My Block on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
5 of
18
Gilmore Girls
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Technically Rory Gilmore was only a teenager through part of this beloved mother-daughter drama, but she was so aggressively teen it counts. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel star in this series about single parenthood and the stressors of pursuing your academic dreams.
[Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Technically Rory Gilmore was only a teenager through part of this beloved mother-daughter drama, but she was so aggressively teen it counts. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel star in this series about single parenthood and the stressors of pursuing your academic dreams.
[Stream Gilmore Girls on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
6 of
18
Spencer James is the protagonist of the show, a star high school football player trying his best to fit in at Beverly Hills High. Although Spencer's used to being the star at his old high school, he's now forced to be more of an outsider. He's charismatic and stubborn, but both drive his passion for the game. Spencer's character is based on the life of Spencer Paysinger, a professional linebacker. Along with acting for television shows like Prey and The Missing, Daniel Ezra has also performed in live theatre. In National Theatre Live's modern twist on The Twelfth Night, Ezra played Sebastian.
Photo: Everett Collection
7 of
18
Sex Education
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield, this UK dramedy follows a socially awkward high school student who's being coached through sex - by his mom. It's as funny and charming as it is sincere..
[Stream Sex Education on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Starring Gillian Anderson and Asa Butterfield, this UK dramedy follows a socially awkward high school student who's being coached through sex - by his mom. It's as funny and charming as it is sincere..
[Stream Sex Education on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
8 of
18
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
What pairs better than steamy teen drama and supernatural horror? Netflix's moodier reboot of the iconic character stars Kiernan Shipka as a witch who has to choose between being a normal teenage girl and giving up everything for magic. It's a hard choice, and naturally the devil makes several appearances while she's making up her mind.
[Stream Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
What pairs better than steamy teen drama and supernatural horror? Netflix's moodier reboot of the iconic character stars Kiernan Shipka as a witch who has to choose between being a normal teenage girl and giving up everything for magic. It's a hard choice, and naturally the devil makes several appearances while she's making up her mind.
[Stream Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
9 of
18
The Fosters
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Though it has five seasons, The Fosters is still somewhat of an underrated gem. The ABC drama follows an interracial lesbian couple as they parent their family of multiethnic children.
[Stream The Fosters on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%
Though it has five seasons, The Fosters is still somewhat of an underrated gem. The ABC drama follows an interracial lesbian couple as they parent their family of multiethnic children.
[Stream The Fosters on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
10 of
18
Glee
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
There was a period of time when impromptu singing and slushies defined adolescence on television. Created by Ryan Murphy, this musical series about underdogs was always a bit silly. But its love and passion were always apparent.
[Stream Glee on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
There was a period of time when impromptu singing and slushies defined adolescence on television. Created by Ryan Murphy, this musical series about underdogs was always a bit silly. But its love and passion were always apparent.
[Stream Glee on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
11 of
18
Riverdale
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
You can't talk about teen drama without bringing up Archie and the gang. Part The OC, part Twin Peaks, this CW series is a lot of crazy dark themes thrown together at once. Will it always make sense? Absolutely not. But will it leave you entertained for hours on end> Hard yes.
[Stream Riverdale on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
You can't talk about teen drama without bringing up Archie and the gang. Part The OC, part Twin Peaks, this CW series is a lot of crazy dark themes thrown together at once. Will it always make sense? Absolutely not. But will it leave you entertained for hours on end> Hard yes.
[Stream Riverdale on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
12 of
18
Skins
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
This UK show set the bar for a grittier brand of teenage dramas. This series takes an unflinching look at a group of teens in Bristol, England as they deal with substance abuse, sexuality, teen pregnancy, and eating disorders.
[Stream Skins on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
This UK show set the bar for a grittier brand of teenage dramas. This series takes an unflinching look at a group of teens in Bristol, England as they deal with substance abuse, sexuality, teen pregnancy, and eating disorders.
[Stream Skins on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
13 of
18
Legacies
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Here are the two words that will sell you on this CW show: vampire football. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, this series follows Klaus Mikaelson's daughter Hope, the world's only vampire-witch-werewolf hybrid, as she navigates through life at her new magical school
[Stream Legacies on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
Here are the two words that will sell you on this CW show: vampire football. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, this series follows Klaus Mikaelson's daughter Hope, the world's only vampire-witch-werewolf hybrid, as she navigates through life at her new magical school
[Stream Legacies on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
14 of
18
Baby
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This Italian-language series follows the lives of two best friends, Chiara and Ludovica. By day they're normal students, but their nights are defined by the dark and complicated world of prostitution.
[Stream Baby on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%
This Italian-language series follows the lives of two best friends, Chiara and Ludovica. By day they're normal students, but their nights are defined by the dark and complicated world of prostitution.
[Stream Baby on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
15 of
18
Gossip Girl
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Truly this is the pinnacle of teen dramas: beautiful people, obscene wealth, and bonkers twists galore. Set in the Upper East Side, the CW series follows a group of scandalous and uber-rich pseudo celebrities. It's all sex, lies, and betrayal, and it's magnificent.
[Stream Gossip Girl on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Truly this is the pinnacle of teen dramas: beautiful people, obscene wealth, and bonkers twists galore. Set in the Upper East Side, the CW series follows a group of scandalous and uber-rich pseudo celebrities. It's all sex, lies, and betrayal, and it's magnificent.
[Stream Gossip Girl on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
16 of
18
13 Reasons Why
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Its second season recieved next to no critical love, but Season 1 of this mental health drama was pretty well praised. After newcomer (Katherine Langford) ends her life, she leaves 13 tapes for all the people "responsible" for her death. It's a deeply emotional drama that revolves around hiding one of the heaviest secrets on television.
[Stream 13 Reasons Why on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
Its second season recieved next to no critical love, but Season 1 of this mental health drama was pretty well praised. After newcomer (Katherine Langford) ends her life, she leaves 13 tapes for all the people "responsible" for her death. It's a deeply emotional drama that revolves around hiding one of the heaviest secrets on television.
[Stream 13 Reasons Why on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
17 of
18
The Society
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Starring Kathryn Newton, this YA drama follows a group of teens who mysteriously find themselves in a world without parents. It quickly becomes apparent that all of their attempts to rebuild order are not going to go well in this Lord of the Flies inspired drama.
[Stream The Society on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%
Starring Kathryn Newton, this YA drama follows a group of teens who mysteriously find themselves in a world without parents. It quickly becomes apparent that all of their attempts to rebuild order are not going to go well in this Lord of the Flies inspired drama.
[Stream The Society on Netflix]
Photo: Netflix
18 of
18
Pretty Little Liars
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
No teens know murder better than these five. A year after their best friend Alison goes missing, Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily start to grow apart. But their growing secrets and crimes will eventually bring them back together.
[Stream Pretty Little Liars on Netflix]
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%
No teens know murder better than these five. A year after their best friend Alison goes missing, Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily start to grow apart. But their growing secrets and crimes will eventually bring them back together.
[Stream Pretty Little Liars on Netflix]
Photo: Everett Collection
