With school back in session, it feels like the perfect time to think about our favorite shows that chronicle the teenage experience. Whether it’s the trials and tribulations of the average middle school or a high school having to deal with some unexpected supernatural abilities, we all can relate in one way or another.
Around 30 of The Young Folks staff voted in two rounds to rank the best teen TV shows of all time, and you’ll see we have a nice mix of new and older shows that fairly represents our own generations. We each share why these shows made a last impact on our adolescence years and deserve recognition from generations to come.
Count down the top 25 TV shows about teens with us, and let us know if you agree with our ranking.
25. Teen Wolf
Oh, Teen Wolf. The hours I’ve spent watching you, defending you even, and finding reprieve when all I needed was a show that would simply entertain me. When it started, it was fresh-faced and a fun new adventure on a channel that didn’t often put out material of its ilk, and its genre-heavy tones led to passionate fans. If the series had managed to keep the focus on the friendships, the relationships between the teens, and had kept the idea of teens dealing with the supernatural rather than the other way around, perhaps it would have been higher on the list. – Allyson Johnson
24. Freaks & Geeks
Similar to its characters, Freaks and Geeks was an outcast compared to most high school shows set in the 80s, but it was one with an irresistible urge to bond over. Creator Paul Feig’s immaculate portrayal of adolescence is a brisk blend of hilarious and awkward, while also not shying away to consistently confront aspects like peer pressure and bullying. Little to none of the main characters could be classified as “popular,” but it stands as the show’s biggest high mark for its honest and sometimes subversive portrayal of certain high school cliques where there’s definitely more than meets the eye. It’s a shame that Freaks and Geeks wasn’t treated right by NBC, but the escapades of the Weir children and their friends will undoubtedly last a lifetime. Also, there will never be another ensemble cast that’s enjoyed more post-show success than this one. – Tyler Christian
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23. Veronica Mars
Combining a noir setting and an inimitably snarky heroine, Veronica Mars followed its titular character as she attempted to solve the mystery of her best friend’s murder, as well as whatever other mystery came along from week to week. The dichotomy between the fast-paced, quippy dialogue and the dark tone set by the dark mysteries plaguing Neptune made for a unique cult hit fans consistently revisit today. Unfortunately, the show was short-lived thanks to the creation of The CW, but was resurrected as a movie a few years ago in one of the most successful kickstarter campaigns we’ve seen yet. – Bri Lockhart
22. iCarly
Watching reruns of iCarly will send you back to a simpler era, when Fred Figglehorn was an online sensation and the 2012 “apocalypse” was still on the horizon. Although the show was undoubtedly an attempt to capitalize on the YouTube craze that hit young people in the late 2000s, it never felt manufactured or heartless due to its quirky, lovable characters and unique concept. Carly, Sam, and Fred, its web-show-hosting protagonists, were far from one-dimensional, air-brushed, fame-hungry teens—they wore t-shirts with absurd captions like “Blueberry Socks,” frequently filmed “random dancing” segments, and partook in regular activities like going to school and watching American Idol, which made them easy to relate to. The show was notable for its high-profile guest stars, which included Jack Black, Kenan Thompson, and even First Lady Michelle Obama. – Brittany Menjivar
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21. Pretty Little Liars
It begins with a mystery – the murder of Alison DiLaurentis and the stalking of her friends, and then for the next few seasons, we are embroiled in mystery after mystery trying to decipher clues and theories to work out who might be behind the various antics that are happening in Rosewood. And even though most people just think that Spencer, Aria, Emily, Hanna and company should just pack and leave Rosewood behind (especially after all the trauma that they have experienced) what the show does well is that it makes us curious to fill in the details about all the various mysteries, and after all these years, we still want to know more. We feel protective over the characters and want them to be safe. It has fostered a sense of affection in us; we feel as if we are friends with the Liars. – Caryn Welby-Solomon
20. The O.C.
If we all just band together and will season three to have not been a thing, I think we can all agree that the The O.C. isn’t just one of the best teen shows ever, but one of the best shows of the past ten years. Seth, Ryan, Marissa and the gang weren’t necessarily relatable, but the dynamics between them sold effortless chemistry and so much drama. Graced with some of the best TV parents as well, the series was suntanned and oiled up, slick and smooth in their narratives (until, yes, the car crash that was season three), the show managed to subvert typical teen drama tropes by just how wonderfully detailed each character was (though Seth’s characterization grows thinner the older you get), some truly inspired soundtrack choices (hello, Alexi Murdoch, I will always love you) and direction that never relied on complacency. It tried to be more than it was. – Allyson Johnson
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19. Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creek may be famous today for the face that launched a thousand memes, but during its run, the lives of a group of friends as they follow their dreams, fall in and out of love with each other, and deal with whatever other obstacles life throws their way made an impression on teens everywhere. Its earnestness and the fact that it took its characters seriously despite their age spoke volumes to a generation who wanted to be treated the same. It may have lost direction in its last couple seasons, but we’ll always treasure the early years and the perfectly executed burgeoning romance between Joey and Pacey. – Gabrielle Bondi
18. Everybody Hates Chris
Every comedian has their source of inspiration, it just so happens that Chris Rock’s was in the form of a hysterically turbulent childhood. Inspired the stand up routine and teenage years of Chris Rock, Everybody Hates Chris explored the comedian’s rocky family life, with an upbeat approach to the otherwise dark themes of living in poverty and dealing with bullying. The show turned into a surprise hit, lasting lasted four seasons with a total of 88 episodes. Just goes to show you that even a bad day can make for great comedy. – Donald Strohman
17. Even Stevens
Long before Shia LaBeouf inspired us all with his “Do It” video, he played Louis Stevens – the troubled son in one of Disney’s best sitcoms called Even Stevens. The Stevens family was as quirky as they were loveable. The situations the family finds themselves in, mainly because of Louis’ actions, were hilarious and occasionally realistic. The episode where Louis wished he was never born and got the opportunity to see how his family’s life would’ve been without him was probably one of the best episodes of the series. Even Stevens tied in family values along with teen problems better than any show on television right now. Compared to the shows I’ve seen on TV nowadays, Even Stevens was Disney gold. – Leigh-Ann Brodber
16. Wizards of Waverly Place
In the 2000s, young audiences were captivated by wizards due to the popularity of the Harry Potter franchise. Wizards of Waverly Place put a lighthearted spin on this phenomenon by giving viewers Justin, Alex, and Max Russo, three teenage wizards whose magical antics included jumping into graphic novels and transforming their Uncle Kelbo into a Shakira lookalike for popularity. The show was memorable for its continuity; plotlines like Justin’s struggles with his vampire girlfriend and the Russos’ connection to Wizard School were never forgotten. Its quirky secondary characters, such as the hilarious Russo parents and Wild-West-obsessed Principal Laritate, also made it special. – Brittany Menjivar
15. One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is one of my favorite teen shows and for a lot of my friends – even though we weren’t old enough to watch it when it came out. It transcends generations with understandable messages and connects the characters to us with timeless struggles, like love, emotions, social status, and family problems. We are able to easily put ourselves in the situations that play out and that is what makes it such an awesome show! – Reagan Harrison
14. Glee
I’m a sucker for musicals and drama; Glee had a great blend of that. Some of my favorite musical covers were done by the Glee cast. Despite getting slushies thrown at their faces, they stood for something. Glee reminded us to embrace who we truly are no matter what other people thought. It was a show that proved that the underdogs in the school can also have their day in the spotlight. There’s a reason why the show has aired for so many seasons because of its strong message to youth. – Camille Espiritu
13. Gossip Girl
Centered on the children of Manhattan’s elite and the never-ending drama going on in their lives, Gossip Girl was juicy fun with full of charismatic yet complex characters that often riveted us with their dilemmas. Despite its ups and downs, Gossip Girl is a seminal show of the teen experience during the dawn of the digital age, being one of the very first shows to grasp how the internet can be incorporated into teenagers’ social lives. However, it wasn’t just the characters who invited the internet into their lives, but the audience as well. In its first two seasons, it established a dedicated online fanbase and changed the way we watched television. TV was no longer an individual experience but one where you can pull out your smartphone, tweet, react, and converse with other fans as each week’s crazy revelations unfolded live. It helped turn TV watching into the communal experience we have today. – Gabrielle Bondi
12. Hannah Montana
Most “average people” are fascinated by fame, and Hannah Montana entertained this fascination by creating Miley Stewart, an average girl who secretly performed as a world-famous pop star with a rhyming pseudonym and a wig. The show stayed amusing because of the way its premise lent itself to a myriad of amusing situations—for example, paparazzi assuming that Jackson, Miley’s brother, was Hannah’s boyfriend. However, its real strength lay in the fact that it never failed to focus on Miley’s life just as much as Hannah’s, with all of her everyday problems and triumphs. Of course, the catchy, feel-good songs that were incorporated into episodes, such as “I Got Nerve” and “If We Were A Movie,” added to the show’s appeal. – Brittany Menjivar
11. Saved By The Bell
This show of six of the bestest friends navigating their way in high school (and then a spinoff on college but who really watched all of that?) was one of my bibles. I mean, this is one of the very shows that taught me what a high schooler faces. It had its comedic episodes, but the series also captured serious topics that pushed boundaries which not a lot of teenage television showed at the time, such as drug addiction, dating and peer pressure. I’m also pretty sure Zack Morris was one of my very first TV crushes. Am I right? – Ashley Bulayo
10. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
For many people my age, we were first introduced to Will Smith from a little show called The Fresh Prince Bel-Air. He more or less played himself, which means we got plenty of charm, wit, and humor. And, oh, the Carlton Dance. But we not only got comedy from this show, we received a dosage of important stories and commentary injected as well. Who can forget that episode where Will realizes that his father has left him once again, and he says the words “How come he don’t want me?” and Uncle Phil rushes to hug the distraught Will. *Insert ugly crying face* Or when Carlton takes speed from Will’s locker that puts him in the hospital, and then Will is forced to admit to the family what really happened. And let’s not forget the one where Carlton and Will are stopped by a police officer simply because they are two young, black men driving a nice care through the neighborhood, and Carlton is forced to look at the world a different way. Through six seasons, we laughed, we cried, we danced the Carlton. However, what I truly appreciate about the beloved series is that we got to see a show boasting different types of black people so that we didn’t experience a stereotype. The show still airs reruns to this day, and it’s exciting to see a new generation take on the freshness. – Melissa Berne
9. That 70’s Show
Because who didn’t love a show that’s premise was based largely on characters who smoked pot in their parent’s basement and then desperately tried to hide it from said parents? While I couldn’t ever buy that any of these characters were ever really awkward, it was a decidedly fun show to watch and one that created a group of characters that you too would like to pass along a… story to. – Allyson Johnson
8. As Told By Ginger
Who would have guessed that shaving your legs would be such a big deal? I’d go so far as to say that Nickelodeon’s As Told By Ginger did for hair removal what Judy Blume did for getting your period: they made it something girls bizarrely wanted to achieve. The series tackled other seemingly ordinary coming of age motifs with grace and humor and normalized them for those watching, from make-up to stuffing your bra, to dealing with bullies, disagreements with best friends and first crushes. It was an underrated gem of the Nickelodeon renaissance and despite some oftentimes crude animation has been given a longevity due to its storytelling abilities, and how when watching, tweens could identify with stories that hit close to home because they were real. – Allyson Johnson
7. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
One of the most iconic cult shows embraced the idea that “high school is hell” to bring us Buffy, a cheerleader-turned-vampire slayer who attempted to balance a normal teenage existence with her prophesied calling as a killer of the undead. Of course, living on a hellmouth kills any chance of a normal existence–vampire masters, demon mayors, and evil boyfriends run rampant, with only Buffy and the gang to keep them at bay. With fantastic characters, quippy, pop culture-laden dialogue, and perfect metaphors, Buffy holds up to this day–despite the dated fashion. – Bri Lockhart
6. That’s So Raven
Not every show that the Disney Channel came up with was a home run, but there was something special about That’s So Raven. Raven wasn’t afraid to speak her mind as the lead of the show, proving to be a strong female comedian. Raven brought a different vibe that wasn’t topped by other Disney Channel shows at the time. From her supportive friends to her quirky family, it was a show that gets overlooked despite its quality Disney Channel humor. – Camille Espiritu
5. Lizzie McGuire
Probably my first real girl crush, Lizzie McGuire, with her animated alter-ego, represented tweens and teens everywhere. What I consider the best Disney Channel original program ever, Lizzie dealt with a myriad of middle school problems, everything from mean girls to crushes to annoying siblings to keeping your closet stocked with Limited Too’s latest clothing. It depicts a time in a girl’s life where everything starts to change. But with her best pals, Miranda and Gordo, on her side, Lizzie proved that she, and by default young women everywhere, could face anything. – Gabrielle Bondi
4. Gilmore Girls
There is something so unique and charming about the town of Stars Hollow that makes Gilmore Girls one of the most iconic shows of our time. It has been in the news plenty later with the revival that Netflix will be streaming at the end of the year, but even before that, it had been a teen drama that transcended age, nationality and gender, it was technically a show for all. With the fast-talking, the coffee drinking, Lorelai and Luke’s constant ‘will they, won’t they’, the Rory ship wars, and Sookie’s interesting meals, it is definitely one of the greats. A bond between a mother and a daughter is something tenable, and Gilmore Girls knows exactly how to pull on our heart strings while still knitting in the light moments. – Caryn Welby-Solomon
3. Drake & Josh
Oh, Nickelodeon. A network that was once filled with humor and watchable entertainment that kids and teens can enjoy. Reaching the edge of that golden time was Drake & Josh, a show about two brothers who wound up in crazy adventures, and throughout it all had each other’s backs. It was also the show that acted as a breakout role for the young Miranda Cosgrove. From the catchy theme song sung by Drake Bell (that I currently have stuck in my head) and family themed humor, it was a show that my family and I got to enjoy. – Camille Espiritu
2. Sabrina the Teenage Witch
A teenager who has magical powers all while dealing with everyday struggles of high school and eventually college? Sure, it wasn’t realistic, but it was a great alternative to watch. Sabrina, Aunt Zelda, Aunt Hilda and Salem were a family I grew up watching while they faced unrealistic plot lines. This show was one of THEE after school specials you can tune in to. Harvey Kinkle gave me hope for real love, Libby made me despise stuck up cheerleaders, and Jenny/Valerie taught me how to be a chill, down to earth friend. – Ashley Bulayo
1. Boy Meets World
Perhaps hyperbolic, but could Boy Meets World have been one of the most accurate depictions of adolescence, ever? Clearly we TYF writers think so as it ends up at our number one spot. While there were some narrative rules in need of breaking over the years (Mr. Feeny accompanying them all from middle school to college or all of the characters even attending the same college), the interplay between them all rang true. From Cory’s contentious relationship with his father, his wide eyed love for Topanga (Topanga!) to the untouchable brotherly affection between he and Shawn (heart eyes for days as a teen), these were characters we didn’t just enjoy watching on a weekly basis, but those who we grew with and, at different stages in our life, were able to relate to on a personable level. It made us laugh, it made us cry at times – especially with anything to do with Shawn – and for some, it made us swoon. It was a perfect show for teens because it beautifully mirrored the coming of age experience, awkward stumbling and all, and it did it with a tangible air of affection. – Allyson Johnson
Which teen TV show is your all-time favorite?
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