Top 25 Teen TV Shows
Here we go, the best 25 teen TV shows out there, I had a lot of fun making this list, a good portion of the shows got me nostalgic about my childhood.
Consider this 25 shows as the ones you probably should not miss, another thing you should know is that the list has no particular order, let’s start, shall we?
25 Best Teen TV Shows
The Vampire Diaries
Created by: Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec
Genre: Supernatural, Horror
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: The CW
The Vampire Diaries is based on the same named book by L.J. Smith. The stars of the show are Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley. The show has 111 episodes and 5 seasons behind it, it started airing in 2009.
A teen girl is torn between two vampire brothers, she starts going out with the younger one but when the older brother returns in order to bring chaos in town and take revenge on his brother because he turned him into a vampire against his will, that’s when all the commotion starts.
The show received a great reception, it’s a great mix of romance, horror and fantasy. The Vampire Diaries is one of the best teen fantasy TV shows.
One Tree Hill
Created by: Mark Schwahn
Genre: Sports Drama
Running Time: 39-44 mins
Original Channel: The WB, The CW
One Tree Hill was created by Mark Schwahn, the show started airing on The WB in 2003, it lasted until 2006, from then The CW took over and the show lasted for six additional years.
Tree Hill is a small town in California, this show revolves about high school teens, the biggest accomplishment for anyone in the high school is to play in the basketball team, the Ravens.
One of the best sports and teen drama, you will enjoy this one, you are welcome!
The Lying Game
Created by: Charles Pratt Jr.
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: ABC Family
The Lying Game was developed by Charles Pratt Jr. the show was based on the same named book by Sara Shepard. The series lasted for two years, in the timeline between 2011 and 2013.
It is about two twins separated as an early stage, one of them ended up being adopted by a wealthy family, while the other lived out her years as a teenager in a foster home. They get reunited bu keep it as a secret.
There are 30 episodes and 2 seasons of this teen drama.
Modern Family
Created by: Christopher Lloyd, Steven Levitan
Genre: Sitcom
Running Time: 21-22 mins
Original Channel: ABC
Modern Family is a creation of Steven Levitan and Christopher Lloyd. The show started airing in 2009, thus far there have been 120 episodes and 5 seasons.
The show revolves around three family that make on big family, you have one traditional with parents and their three uncontrollable kids, then you have a gay couple and finally an older man with his sexy wife from Colombia.
This show is one of my favorite sitcoms at the moment, great script and characters, you will love it!
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Created by: Brenda Hampton
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: ABC Family
The Secret Life of the American Teenager was created and written by Brenda Hampton. The show started airing in 2008, it has it’s finale last year, in that timeline there have been 121 episodes and 5 seasons.
It’s basically a deeper look into teen relationships, complicated situations as getting impregnated by a teen boy and many more other difficult situations.
It’s reception was mixed but this one deserves it’s place on the list, I hope you’ll like it.
Pretty Little Liars
Created by: I. Marlene King
Genre: Mystery
Running Time: 41-45 mins
Original Channel: ABC Family
Pretty Little Liars was developed by I. Marlene King. It was based in the same named book by Sara Shepard. It started airing in 2010, so far there have been 107 episodes and 5 seasons.
4 friends unite against an anonymous person who is threatening to reveal their darkest secrets. One of the best mystery teen series to date.
Very well received and a show that you will definitely love. It’s one of the most popular teen TV shows.
Beverley Hills 90210
Created by: E. Duke Vincent, Darren Star, Aaron Spelling
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 45-48 mins
Original Channel: Fox
Beverley Hills 90210 was created by the trio consisted of Aaron Spelling, E. Duke Vincent and Darren Star. The show was on air for a decade, in that timeline there have been 293 episodes and 10 seasons.
This show takes you on a journey, from their school days to their adulthood. It’s a series about people from Beverly Hills, California.
The show received the best ratings from seasons 2 to season 5. If you like soap opera, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Supernatural
Created by: Eric Kripke
Genre: Horror, Action
Running Time: 38-45 mins
Original Channel: The WB, The CW
Supernatural was created by Eric Kripke, the show started airing on The WB but only a year later The CW took over and since the show has lasted for nine years, since the beginning the show had 10 seasons and 195 episodes.
Two brothers keep protecting the Earth by killing all kinds of supernatural creatures like demons, gods, monsters et cetera. They just continued their fathers legacy.
There will be more of this outstanding show, make sure you give it a chance.
The O.C.
Created by: Josh Schwartz
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: Fox
The O.C was created by Josh Schwartz, the show was on air from 2003 to 2007. 92 episodes and 4 seasons is the total of the show.
The setting takes place in Newport Beach, Orange County, California. It revolves around a wealthy class of people and their everyday troubles. The likes of Peter Gallagher and Adam Brody are in the show alongside a very talented cast.
Another great teen drama and my favorite from back in the day, you will like this one.
Teen Wolf
Created by: Jeff Davis
Genre: Supernatural, Romance
Running Time: 40-43 mins
Original Channel: MTV
Teen Wolf is a fairly new series, it was developed by Jeff Davis and started airing in 2011, thus far there have been 59 episodes and 4 seasons of this supernatural teen drama.
A teen gets attacked by a werewolf and inherits its strengths, at first he becomes extremely popular in school and things seem to go his way, not long after the bite he realizes that he inherited a lot of enemies as well.
This show received a lot of praise, great supernatural and teen romance series.
Dawson’s Creek
Created by: Kevin Williamson
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: The WB
Dawson’s Creek was created by Kevin Williamson, the show aired from 1998 to 2003. In that period there have been 128 episodes and 6 seasons.
It’s about four friends who live in a fictional seaside town in Massachusetts. The protagonist was played by James Van Der Beek.
Little older show than the rest on the list but a very good one indeed. You will enjoy this one!
The Fosters
Created by: Peter Paige, Bradley Bredeweg
Genre: Family Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: ABC Family
The Fosters was created by the duo of Peter Paige and Bradley Bredeweg. It’s on air since last year, so far there have been 31 episodes and 2 seasons.
It’s a very modern family where two moms try to raise a their biological, adopted and foster kids.
The show received a lot of praise so far, it’s an ideal time to start watching it.
The Carrie Diaries
Created by: Amy B. Harris
Genre: Comedy Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: The CW
The Carrie Diaries was developed by Amy B. Harris, it was on air for a year. In that timeline there have been 26 episodes and 2 seasons.
It’s the early 1980s, Carrie is in her junior year and she has a lot of questions. We take a journey with her while she learns everything that she needs to learn about life.
The TV show is based on the same named book by Candace Bushnell.
Gossip Girl
Created by: Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 39-44 mins
Original Channel: The CW
Gossip Girl was on air from 2007 to 2012. Blake Lively plays the protagonist of the series. In the 5 years that it has been on air the show had 121 episodes and 6 seasons.
It is about privileged teens living in New York, their everyday struggles with finding a job, love, friendship and so on. Initially it was supposed to be a movie with Lindsey Lohan as the protagonist.
The critical reception of the show is quite positive. It’s was one of the most watched teen series at the time it aired.
The Originals
Created by: Julie Plec
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: The CW
The Originals was created by Julie Plec. The show is on air since last year, thus far there have been 22 episodes.
The original vampire family goes back to New Orleans, the city they helped build. It’s the vampire family from The Vampire Diaries.
Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies play the main character in this supernatural drama. The second season is due to start airing on October 6.
The Secret Circles
Created by: Andrew Miller
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: The CW
The Secret Circle was developed by Andrew Miller, the show was on air for a year, from 2001 to 2002. It is based on the same named book by L.J. Smith.
Cassie Blake moves Chance Harbor, Washington. She moves to her grandmother after her mother died. Cassie tries to fit in in the new environment and soon finds out that she comes from a long line of witches.
The pilot had mixed reviews but as the show goes on, it gets better and better. Give the series a chance.
Gilmore Girls
Created by: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Genre: Family Drama
Running Time: 45 mins
Original Channel: The WB, The CW
Gilmore Girls was on air for seven years, from 2000 to 2007. It was on The WB for six years, the final year it was aired on The CW. The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino.
The series revolve around a mother-daughter relationship, a single mother tries to help her daughter as much as possible, the setting takes place in Stars Hollow, Connecticut.
There are 157 episodes and seven seasons of this family drama.
Glee
Created by: Brad Falchuk, Ian Brennan, Ryan Murphy
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 40-48 mins
Original Channel: Fox
Glee is on air since 2009, thus far there have been 108 episodes and 5 seasons of this musical teen drama. It was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy.
The Glee club is a place where people go to get away from high school, ultimately they find acceptance, their voice and strength while pursuing their dreams.
A movie adaptation was made in 2011, the movie was directed by Kevin Tancharoen and called Glee: The Concert Movie.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Created by: Joss Whedon
Genre: Supernatural Drama, Horror
Running Time: 44 mins
Original Channel: The WB, UPN
Buffy the Vampire Slayer lasted for six years, from 1997 ti 2003. In that period there have been 144 episodes and 7 seasons. The protagonist was played by Sarah Michelle Gellar.
She is destined to fight evil, from demons, to vampires and other creatures. She does so with the help of her friends.
It’s a great fantasy and action series, a classic when it comes to supernatural beings.
Veronica Mars
Created by: Rob Thomas
Genre: Mystery, Teen Drama
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: UPN, The CW
Veronica Mars made their mark in the teen drama segment, the performance of Kristen Bell was outstanding. The show was created by Rob Thomas and was on air from 2004 to 2007. 64 episodes and 3 seasons is the total of this mystery series.
Her father gets removed as the county sheriff and her best friend get murdered. Consequently Veronica dedicates her life in solving crimes and cleaning the streets from thugs.
A movie adaptation was made this year, make sure you check that one out as well.
Smallville
Created by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Genre: Superhero
Running Time: 42 mins
Original Channel: The WB, The CW
Smallville was on air for a decade, it was developed by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough. The show is based on the Superman book by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
Clark Kent learns about his superpowers and the fact that he is an alien, we see his normal side as Clark Kent and after he starts to manage his powers as Superman as well.
It’s one of the best superhero series according to me, you will absolutely love this show. It’s quite unique.
Friday Night Lights
Created by: Peter Berg
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 43 mins
Original Channel: NBC
Friday Night Lights is based on Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream. The show was developed by Peter Berg. It has 76 episodes and 5 seasons behind it, it was on air from 2006 to 2011.
Texas football players and their daily lives, families and their coaching staff. This is one of the best sports dramas, it received high praise and is a show you shouldn’t miss.
First there was a movie, it was released in 2004, then the series started airing two years later.
Skins
Created by: Bryan Elsley, Jamie Brittain
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 44-48 mins
Original Channel: E4
Skins was created by Jamie Brittain and Bryan Elsley, it was on air from 2007 to 2013. In that timeline the show produced 61 episodes and 7 seasons.
The story revolves about teens who try to grow up, find love and be successful, that’t hard as it is but even more so with questionable parenting and teachers who would rather be your friends and/or lovers that authoritative figures.
This British show had a great critical reception, hope you’ll enjoy it!
My So-Called Life
Created by: Winnie Holzman
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 47 mins
Original Channel: ABC
My So-Called Life was created by Winnie Holzman, it was on air for a year and in that timeline it made quite a mark, the show produced 19 episodes.
It portrays the life of a 15 year old girl, her relationship with boys, her parents and her teachers. Another great teen drama that you will surely enjoy.
This American teen series had a good reception but unfortunately didn’t last for far too long.
Freaks and Geeks
Created by: Paul Feig
Genre: Teen Drama
Running Time: 44 mins
Original Channel: ABC
Freaks and Geeks was on air for only a year, just like the previous show, this one lasted not enough as we hoped it would. It was created by Paul Feig, the series was on air 1999 to 2000, in that period there were 18 episodes.
It’s a series about two unique and very different groups of people in high school. One of the very best high school series, it’s the last one of the list bu definitely one of the best as well.
The show had a great reception, you will see why.
