We’ve all been there, mindlessly scrolling through television shows on Netflix and just waiting for one to pop out at you. At the end of the day, everyone just wants to watch something that they can relate to yet isn’t too much in the real world that it doesn’t feel like entertainment. It’s a constant struggle, though it doesn’t have to be. Below are 10 Netflix shows for teens that can draw you in and keep you there. You’ll never have to worry about endlessly scrolling down the list of shows again, and that is a victory in itself.
1. Stranger Things
Stranger Things is one of the most popular television shows of all time, with one big season left to be released. The show follows a group of young kids and, as the seasons progress, follows them as they grow older. It showcases their friendships with one another, their relationships, their family, and the overall journey that a child takes while getting older.
Stranger Things does a wonderful job handling that idea and they show it with all of the children going through their issues. There are even older siblings who go through their journey while still needing to act as the “adults” of the main characters in this series. Plus, there is a ridiculous amount of supernatural action and excitement to entice even the stingiest of watchers. Stranger Things is hard to keep off this list.
2. The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy follows another group of “children” who were all adopted by one particular billionaire. The group grows up together but eventually suffers setbacks, fracturing from one another before eventually being pulled back together in the hopes of doing good in the world. Each of the main characters has their own abilities and personalities that add to the excitement and viewing experience. Perhaps this family isn’t fully related, though they are absolutely still family.
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3. 13 Reasons Why
13 Reasons Why isn’t an enjoyable and happy experience, though it teaches lessons that may be invaluable to teenagers growing up. The story is about a young woman named Hannah who takes her own life. It is discovered that she left behind tapes of why she chose to do so.
As the show follows along with the tapes, it tackles a number of important issues such as mental health, bullying, harassment, etc. While it’s emotionally difficult to watch at times, the show truly focuses on how big of an impact one’s actions can have on a person, no matter how small it seems on the surface. And this lesson alone can be wildly impactful for any teenager who is looking for something new to watch.
4. Riverdale
Riverdale appears to be an innocent show set in a smaller town, though there’s a darker tone set in the background due to a tragic death. With that tragic death lurks a mystery and adds depth to a show that already handles relationships, friendships, and family drama. Not only does this show serve an entertaining purpose, but it also showcases teamwork and school life. Overall, this show has everything that a teenager might be living through in their day-to-day, except for the small-town murder mystery.
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5. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is listed as a new adaption of “Sabrina The Teenage Witch”, which might sound familiar to some. It’s the origin story of a woman named Sabrina who struggles to find her place between two worlds. She’s half-witch, half-mortal, and has to battle against the forces that threaten the ones she cherishes the most. For those who love character development and a strong sense of the supernatural, then this could be the perfect show for you.
6. Elite
Elite is a show that many teenagers might be able to relate to as it relies heavily upon school interactions and dynamics. Multiple teenagers enroll in a supposed exclusive private school out in Spain, though there is a clash between other students that leads down a darker path. For teenagers watching, they’d get a better view of a diverse friend group that all comes from different backgrounds, and they’d also get the regular stuff you’d expect from a high school story with romance, drama, and societal pressures.
7. Outer Banks
The main story of Outer Banks seems simple, with a group of friends that get together so that they can try to find hidden treasure. Treasure that seemingly gets linked to one person’s father and their disappearance. Similar to the other listed shows, Outer Banks brings romance, friendship, and drama together into one story. Teenagers are sure to love how the story is quicker in pace as well, as opposed to being overly drawn out. Something that might push people away from sticking it out and finishing the show.
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8. On My Block
On My Block is another high school story that should intrigue teenagers across the globe. The story follows a group of friends who are going through all of the emotions that teenagers feel and learn to push through. Their friendships get tested, they learn how to navigate high school to the fullest extent, battle adolescence, and display family dynamics in a way that others might not.
All in all, many have praised this show as being a more “realistic” take on high school and the struggles that accompany it. Unlike other shows that have underlying themes of this same thing, On My Block takes that idea and pushes it to the forefront. Making sure that nobody misconstrues what the show is hoping to convey, and they do so in an entertaining way that definitely hits the mark.
9. The Society
The Society might not be incredibly realistic, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a great show for teens everywhere. The Society follows a handful of students in high school who end up in a world without any living adults. With no other option, the group has to try and take control of this new world by creating some level of societal order.
No teenager likely hopes to be all alone in a world without adults, though it does showcase what a young adult must do to try and survive in a world without them. Teenagers will get a great view of important choices that the show discusses, such as taking leadership responsibilities, trying to help yourself as opposed to others, and so on. The Society is a terrific and interesting watch taking place in a world far different from our own.
10. Locke & Key
The story of Locke & Key begins when the Locke family loses their father due to “mysterious” circumstances. This leaves three siblings (and their mother) no option left but to move into their ancestral home. Along the way, this family finds magic keys that slowly start to give them more information surrounding the loss of their father, but they have to battle demons that hope to stop their progress.
The show displays a sense of family, and what it might be like to deal with siblings growing up. It’s an exciting journey to watch as the viewer, and it’s something that can get rather immersive quickly.