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Coming-of-Age Tv Shows
Watching coming-of-age TV shows is a heartwarming (and nostalgic!) way to connect with and heal your inner child.
As you watch, you’ll be able to recognize yourself in the characters’ lives and remember the good and bad parts of being a teenager.
Connecting with the stories of growing up, you’ll be able to remember your friends, family, and first love.
List of Best Teen Dramas:
You’ll mostly find coming-of-age TV shows with characters in middle school and high school featured on this list.
Most of these shows cover tough topics that you might wish to avoid.
That being said, I’ve included content warnings for each TV show with the help of DoesTheDogDie.com.
And now onto these (mostly) 90s and early 2000s shows filled with nostalgia cheese…
28 Teen TV Shows to Watch
Speaking of childhood, have you downloaded your free inner child healing workbook yet? 👇
1. SISTER, SISTER (1994-1999)
When I think of Sister, Sister, “Go home, Rodger!” immediately sounds in my brain.
Synopsis:
Tia and Tamera are twins who were separated at birth and were each adopted by a different parent.
One day, the teens have a chance encounter while shopping for clothes at the mall.
After the families meet, Tamera’s adoptive dad reluctantly lets Tia and her mom move into his home so the girls can finally be together.
Genre:
Sitcom
Content:
Fatphobia
Rent or buy here: Amazon
More ways to connect with your younger self:
👉 13 Nostalgic Activities to Reconnect with Your Inner Child
2. SWITCHED AT BIRTH (2011-2017)
Switched at Birth is another coming-of-age show about finding your way back to your birth family.
Synopsis:
Bay is a street artist who doesn’t fit into her sports-loving, conservative family.
Daphne became deaf at three years old and doesn’t look like her Puerto Rican family.
At 15, everything makes sense when these girls discover they were switched at birth.
Genre:
Teen drama
Content:
Ableism, alcoholism, death of a parent, minor/adult relationship
Rent or buy here: Amazon
3. THE O.C. (2003-2007)
The O.C. sparked my love for teen family dramas the night it premiered.
Synopsis:
Ryan Atwood was pressured to help steal a car by his older brother, and now his mom kicked him out.
Public attorney Sandy Cohen took Ryan home, much to the disdain of his wife Kirsten.
Can this wrong-side-of-the-tracks teen fit into the lifestyle of wealthy, upper-class Newport Beach?
Genre:
Teen drama
Content:
Drug use, alcoholism, sexual assault, minor/adult relationship
Rent or buy here: Amazon
4. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1997-2003)
If you’re looking for a show with a badass female lead, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a wicked choice.
Synopsis:
Buffy Summers recently moved to Sunnydale after getting kicked out of her old school for burning down the gym.
She was hoping to escape the horrors of her past, but she can’t.
She is the vampire slayer.
Genre:
Horror
Content:
Sexual assault, domestic abuse, death, minor/adult relationship
Rent or buy here: Amazon
5. BOY MEETS WORLD (1993-2000)
I watched Boy Meets World nearly every day after school, and it’s such a nostalgic coming-of-age show for me.
Synopsis:
Cory Matthews tries to understand girls, people, and life in general with the help of his best friend Shawn Hunter.
Despite being annoyed by his teacher-turned-principal (and neighbor!) Mr. Feeny, Cory learns from him that all that life is is an adventurous learning lesson.
Genre:
Sitcom
Content:
Alcoholism, child abuse, fatphobia, death of a parent
Rent or buy here: Amazon
Movies about childhood friends:
👉 27 Movies About Childhood Friends (Filled with Nostalgia)
6. FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011)
Don’t let football scare you off, because Friday Night Lights is so much more than just football.
Synopsis:
Starting quarterback Jason Street becomes paralyzed in the first game of the season.
Can QB2 Matt Saracen and rookie head Coach Taylor overcome the struggles to victory?
Genre:
Sports
Content:
Sexual assault, death of a parent, murder, domestic violence, minor/adult relationship, racism
Rent or buy here: Amazon
7. ROSWELL (1999-2002)
I didn’t watch Roswell until my late 20s, but I’m so glad I finally got around to watching it.
Synopsis:
Liz is murdered at the diner she works at, but somehow she is healed by longtime classmate Max.
Turns out, he’s from outerspace.
Genre:
Sci-fi
Content:
Death, murder, alcoholism, child abuse, domestic violence
Rent or buy here: Amazon
8. ONE TREE HILL (2003-2010)
One of the most iconic coming-of-age TV shows on this list is One Tree Hill.
Synopsis:
Basketball players Lucas and Nathan have nothing in common — except they have the same dad.
Watch this brothers’ rivalry on and off the court, as they navigate friends, love, and life.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Murder, gun violence, stalking, violence, sexual assault, bullying, minor/adult relationship
Rent or buy here: Amazon
9. FREAKS AND GEEKS (1999-2000)
I don’t know what they were thinking after canceling cult classic Freaks and Geeks after one season.
Synopsis:
Lindsay, a high school mathlete, starts hanging out with a group of burnouts.
Her younger brother, Sam, is just trying to get through his freshman year.
Genre:
Comedy
Content:
Bullying, child abuse, ableism, fatphobia, hate speech
Rent or buy here: Amazon
Movies about bullying:
👉 28 Best Movies About Bullying (for Teens, Kids, and Adults!)
10. MAKE IT OR BREAK IT (2009-2012)
Make It or Break It might be hella cheesy and cringy at times, but it inspires you to go after your dreams.
Synopsis:
Emily Kmetko is invited to The Rock, a prestigious gymnastics club, with no formal training.
Watch as she and three star gymnasts compete (and cheer each on) for a chance at the gold medal.
Genre:
Sports
Content:
Minor/adult relationship, eating disorder, death
Rent or buy here: Amazon
11. KYLE XY (2006-2009)
With Kyle XY, you’ll be wrapped in the normalities of teen life mixed with the mystery of who Kyle is.
Synopsis:
Kyle is found wandering naked and disoriented (and with no memory) when he is taken in by the Trager Family.
To everyone’s surprise, he develops amazing abilities and incredible intelligence.
Genre:
Sci-fi
Content:
Stalking
Rent or buy here: Amazon
12. DAWSON’S CREEK (1998-2003)
When you think of late 90s/early 2000s, teen drama Dawson’s Creek probably comes to mind.
Synopsis:
Four teenage best friends help each other cope with life in a small New England coastal town.
Follow the relationships of this tight-night group from high school, to college, and beyond.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, death, homophobia, hate speech
Rent or buy here: Amazon
13. LIFE UNEXPECTED (2010-2011)
Life Unexpected is incredibly heartbreaking, yet it fills you with the hope that even though life can unexpected, it can bring you exactly what you need.
Synopsis:
Lux Cassidy has been in foster care her whole life, bouncing from home to home.
By 15, she’s incredibly fed up with the system and searches for her birth parents, so she can become emancipated.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, minor/adult relationship, addiction, alcoholism
Rent or buy here: Amazon
Use these to heal from your childhood:
👉 11 Ways to Heal Childhood Trauma Spiritually (and Awaken Your Inner Child)
14. THAT’S SO RAVEN (2003-2007)
That’s So Raven was such a staple in my childhood, and I still have the iconic “pushover, pushover” ditty play in my head at random.
Synopsis:
Raven Baxter has special abilities — she gets visions of the future.
Watch as she and her best friends, Chelsea and Eddie, try and stop bad things from happening, as well as try to make the good things *actually* come true.
Genre:
Sitcom
Content:
Bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
15. SUGAR RUSH (2005-2006)
If you’re looking for an LGBT+ coming-of-age TV show, Sugar Rush is a fantastic choice.
Synopsis:
Kim’s family recently moved to Brighton, and she finds herself with a huge crush on her new best friend Maria “Sugar” Sweet.
Can Kim come to terms that she’s into girls, or will she continue to try to hide from her authentic self?
Genre:
Comedy drama
Content:
Homophobia, addiction
Rent or buy here: Amazon
16. MY SO-CALLED LIFE (1994-1995)
My So-Called Life might be a short 19-episode series, but it leaves a lasting impact.
Synopsis:
Angela Chase is an angsty 15-year-old who is just trying to survive high school.
Tune in and see her battle the trials and tribulations of being a teenager, while she deals with friends, boys, parents, and school.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Child abuse, sexual assault, addiction, death, homophobia
Rent or buy here: Amazon
17. DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (2001-2015)
Degrassi: The Next Generation ran for an impressive 14 years, capturing the hearts of so many viewers.
Synopsis:
The students at Degrassi Community School deal with everything that encapsulates being a teenager.
Touching on even the most taboo subjects, these students struggle with anything from relationship problems and homosexuality to sexual assault and death.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, addiction, sexual assault, death, transphobia, homophobia, hate speech, self-harm, suicide, gun violence, eating disorder, bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
If you experienced abuse, these songs might help:
👉 40 Child Abuse Songs (When You Had a Bad Childhood)
18. SO LITTLE TIME (2001-2002)
If you grew up with Mary-Kate and Ashley, then you probably remember them starring in So Little Time.
Synopsis:
For twin teenagers Riley and Chloe, high school is a lot of work.
They’ve got homework, partying, shopping at the mall, and of course boys!
Genre:
Sitcom
Content:
Bullying, fatphobia, and body shaming
Rent or buy here: Amazon
19. GILMORE GIRLS (2000-2007)
Gilmore Girls is the perfect fall show, as it’s so cozy and nostalgic.
Synopsis:
30-something Lorelai and teen Rory are the best of friends.
Watch as they navigate their lives in Stars Hollow with sarcasm, wit, intelligence, and love.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Sexual assault, hate speech, ableism, fatphobia
Rent or buy here: Amazon
20. LIZZIE MCGUIRE (2001-2004)
I feel bad for anyone around my age who didn’t grow up watching Lizzie McGuire.
Synopsis:
Follow Lizzie McGuire in her daily adventures as an adolescent girl, as she deals with school, friends, and bullies.
The best part: her real thoughts and emotions are expressed by her sarcastic animated alter ego.
Genre:
Sitcom
Content:
Bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
21. LINCOLN HEIGHTS (2006-2009)
There’s something so comfy about 2000s TV shows, and despite Lincoln Heights addressing tough subjects, it still leaves you with a sense of warmth.
Synopsis:
Los Angeles police off Eddie uproots his wife Jenn and their three children from their small suburban apartment to the inner-city neighborhood he grew up in.
His hope is to spread positive change in this struggling community, but he begins to have his doubts.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Racism, drug abuse
Rent or buy here: Amazon
22. FLIGHT 29 DOWN (2005-2007)
Flight 29 Down brings up the cliché question, “What would you bring if you were stranded on an island?”
Synopsis:
When a plane crashes, a group of high schoolers are stranded on an island in the South Pacific.
Drama occurs between the castaways, revealing their insecurities, crushes, egos, and social problems.
Genre:
Adventure
Content:
Plane crash
Rent or buy here: Amazon
23. EERIE, INDIANA (1991-1992)
Starring Hocus Pocus’ Omri Katz, Eerie, Indiana keeps you on your toes in suspense.
Synopsis:
When Marshall Teller’s family moves to the small rural town of Eerie, Indiana, he discovers that their new home “is the center of weirdness for the universe.”
It’s up to Marshall and his friend Simon to collect evidence of the many creepy things that are happening in their far-from-ordinary hometown.
Genre:
Sci-fi horror
Content:
Bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
24. BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 (1990-2000)
Beverly Hills, 90210 is one of the most iconic 90s coming-of-age TV shows to exist.
Synopsis:
After moving from Minnesota with their parents, twins Brenda and Brandon try to adjust to their new life in Beverly Hills.
See how they make friends and enemies, fall in and out of love, and go through an endless series of crises from their high school days into adulthood.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Domestic violence, addiction
Rent or buy here: Amazon
25. 90210 (2008-2013)
A sequel to Beverly Hills, 90210, 90210 is (somehow) filled with more scandal than the original.
Synopsis:
Annie and Dixon relocate from Kansas to a very wealthy area of Beverly Hills.
When they begin to attend West Beverly High School, they quickly come face-to-face with a queen bee, a rebel, and a drug addict.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Sexual assault, drug abuse, addiction, drunk driving, death, bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
26. SKINS (2007-2013)
British drama Skins is filled with tough — and often inappropriate — subject matter.
Synopsis:
A group of teens tries to survive teenagehood despite questionable parenting.
Even though they have little adult supervision, these teens learn a lot about life, love, and happiness.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Child abuse, animal abuse, domestic violence, gaslighting, stalking, addiction, sexual assault, death, hanging, body dysmorphia, eating disorder, self-harm, suicide
Rent or buy here: Amazon
You might relate to these movies about child abuse:
👉 23 Heartbreaking Movies About Childhood Trauma (That are Therapeutic)
27. SWEET VALLEY HIGH (1994-1998)
Based on the best-selling books, Sweet Valley High is a quintessential teen drama/comedy.
Synopsis:
Like any high schooler, twins Jessica and Liz struggle with the ups and downs of life at Sweet Valley High.
Liz is warm, friendly, and sincere, while Jessica is flirty, mischievous, and irresponsible.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Bullying, abuse
Rent or buy here: Amazon
28. EVERWOOD (2002-2006)
Capturing the magnitude of grief, Everwood takes you on a journey of healing and hope.
Synopsis:
Brain surgeon Dr. Andy Brown lost his wife, and his kids, Ephram and Deila, lost their mom.
He decides to move them from Manhatten to a small town in the Rocky Mountains, only to discover they don’t quite fit in.
Genre:
Drama
Content:
Death, bullying
Rent or buy here: Amazon
Teen TV Shows:
Sometimes when you’re a teenager, you can’t wait to grow up.
But when you’ve experienced the struggles of adulthood, watching coming-of-age TV shows filled with friendship and first loves can help you escape your life for just a little bit.
Coming-of-age TV shows recap:
📺 Sister, Sister
📺 Switched at Birth
📺 The O.C.
📺 Buffy the Vampire Slayer
📺 Boy Meets World
📺 Friday Night Lights
📺 Roswell
📺 One Tree Hill
📺 Freaks and Geeks
📺 Make It or Break It
📺 Kyle XY
📺 Dawson’s Creek
📺 Life Unexpected
📺 That’s So Raven
📺 Sugar Rush
📺 My So-Called Life
📺 Degrassi: The Next Generation
📺 So Little Time
📺 Gilmore Girls
📺 Lizzie McGuire
📺 Lincoln Heights
📺 Flight 29 Down
📺 Eerie, Indiana
📺 Beverly Hills, 90210
📺 90210
📺 Skins
📺 Sweet Valley High
📺 Everwood
💾 Bookmark this page for when you need teen TV show recommendations to watch!
More inner child healing posts:
- 23 Heartbreaking Movies About Childhood Trauma (That are Therapeutic)
- 17 Magical Crystals for Healing Childhood Trauma (and Emotional Pain)
- 101 Healing Inner Child Affirmations (to Reparent Yourself)
- 70 Healing Inner Child Quotes (to Help Overcome Childhood Trauma)
- 40 Child Abuse Songs (When You Had a Bad Childhood)
- 13 Nostalgic Activities to Reconnect with Your Inner Child
- 107 Toxic Parents Quotes (When Mother and Father Are Abusive AF)
- 21 Powerful Inner Child Healing Meditations (Guided and Unguided)
- 13 Inner Child Healing Exercises (for Your Wounded Younger Self)
- 17 Must-Have Healing Gifts for Your Inner Child
- 11 Ways to Heal Childhood Trauma Spiritually (and Awaken Your Inner Child)
- 23 Inner Child Oracle Cards (for Deep Shadow Work)
- 23 Tarot Decks (for Intense Inner Child Work)
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