Top Shows and Series to Stream with Your Tween or Teen

Brooke Amidei
7 days ago
7 min read

Is there anything better then getting your not-so-little kids to snuggle up and watch a show that you both actually love together? There is a certain beauty when the youngsters have graduated from strictly animated shows and movies to a little more mutually-loved entertainment. We love Elsa...but we also love Michael Scott. We polled the Babble Panel and Babble community to come up with this amazing list! Our most beloved shows to stream with teens and tweens below!

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Before we hop into the good stuff, be advised: only you know your kiddo and their personal maturity level well enough to decide what they can and cannot watch. When it comes to language and content, YOU decide what is appropriate in your household. Parents need to be able to choose a show where you can relax and watch together without being worried if it will be too racy or colorful for your kiddo and family.

How to Choose a Show That’s Right for Your Teen or Tween

1. Know Your Kid

Every teen is different. What’s appropriate for one might feel too mature—or too childish—for another. Consider your child’s maturity level, emotional sensitivity, and life experience. You know them best.

2. Look Beyond the Rating

TV ratings (like TV-14 or PG) are a good starting point, but they don’t tell the whole story. Some PG-13 shows have heavy themes (like grief or mental health), while others might have more mature humor. Always dig a little deeper. I'm sure we'd all agree that some of the older shows are much more mature than we realized!

3. Check Trusted Resources

Here are a few more reliable places where moms can find honest, detailed info about content:

Common Sense Media – This is the gold standard. It offers age-based ratings, parent reviews, and detailed breakdowns of content including language, violence, sex, and positive messages.
IMDb’s Parents Guide – Under each show or movie, IMDb lists specific examples of mature content.
Plugged In (by Focus on the Family) – Especially helpful for families with more conservative media values.
Reddit or Parent Facebook Groups – Sometimes it helps to hear what other parents think, especially for newer or trending shows.

4. Watch the First Episode First Without The Kids

Previewing a show—even just the first episode—lets you decide firsthand if the tone, language, or themes are a fit. You might even decide to make it a joint decision with your teen.

5. Use It As a Conversation Starter

If a show touches on tricky topics—relationships, peer pressure, mental health—it can be a great springboard for discussion. Sometimes watching together is less about the content and more about the connection.

Here Are Our Favorite Shows (by category) To Check Out With Your Teen/Tween:

🔁 Throwback Shows (Still Popular with Teens Today):

Friends – A group of six 20-somethings navigate life, love, and hilarious misadventures in NYC.📺 Stream on Max, Netflix
The Office – This mockumentary-style comedy follows the quirky employees of a paper company in Scranton, PA.📺 Stream on Peacock
How I Met Your Mother – A father recounts his younger years and friendships in New York as he leads up to how he met his wife.📺 Stream on Hulu
The Big Bang Theory – A lovable group of socially awkward scientists learn about life, friendship, and dating.📺 Stream on Max, Netflix
Modern Family – A mockumentary-style sitcom about a hilariously relatable extended family navigating everyday life.📺 Stream on Hulu, Peacock
Gossip Girl (2007) – Manhattan's elite teens deal with drama, secrets, and scandal under the watchful eye of a mysterious blogger.📺 Stream on Max
Gilmore Girls – A fast-talking single mom and her brainy daughter share a close bond in their charming small town.📺 Stream on Netflix
Seinfeld – “A show about nothing” that follows a group of friends navigating everyday absurdities in New York City.📺 Stream on Netflix
Will & Grace – Lifelong friends—one a gay lawyer, the other a straight interior designer—share life, love, and sarcasm in NYC.📺 Stream on Hulu, Prime Video
Parks and Recreation – An endlessly optimistic public servant and her hilarious team work to improve their quirky small town.📺 Stream on Peacock, Prime Video
Boy Meets World – A heartfelt, funny coming-of-age classic that follows Cory Matthews from middle school through marriage.📺 Stream on Disney+
Freaks and Geeks – A cult-favorite dramedy about high school misfits in the ’80s, featuring early performances from now-big stars.📺 Stream on Paramount+, Prime Video
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – A street-smart teen from Philly moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, with big laughs and big heart.📺 Stream on Max

🌟 Newer Shows to Stream Together:

The Good Place – A witty afterlife comedy that explores morality, friendship, and what it means to be a good person—with lots of twists.📺 Stream on Netflix, Peacock
Outer Banks – A treasure-hunting teen adventure with drama, romance, and suspense set in the sun-soaked Carolina coast.📺 Stream on Netflix
Fuller House – The reboot of Full House brings the Tanner family back together for more wholesome laughs and life lessons.📺 Stream on Netflix
Young Sheldon – A prequel to The Big Bang Theory that follows a child genius navigating high school and family in East Texas.📺 Stream on Max, Paramount+
Schitt's Creek – A formerly wealthy family adjusts to small-town life with humor, heart, and incredible character growth.📺 Stream on Hulu, Netflix
Ted Lasso – A kind-hearted American football coach takes over a British soccer team—with heartwarming lessons and lots of laughs.📺 Stream on Apple TV+
The Summer I Turned Pretty – A coming-of-age romantic drama filled with first love, family bonds, and beach-town nostalgia.📺 Stream on Prime Video
XO, Kitty – A charming To All the Boys spin-off where teen matchmaker Kitty navigates her own love life at a Korean boarding school.📺 Stream on Netflix
Never Have I Ever – A funny, heartfelt teen series created by Mindy Kaling about a first-generation Indian-American girl balancing high school and grief.📺 Stream on Netflix
Heartstopper – A sweet, affirming LGBTQ+ teen romance based on the hit graphic novels by Alice Oseman.📺 Stream on Netflix
Ms. Marvel / WandaVision – Two Marvel series that blend coming-of-age stories with superhero magic—relatable and creative for teens and adults alike.📺 Stream on Disney+
Only Murders in the Building – A comedic murder mystery featuring three amateur sleuths (including Selena Gomez) in a quirky NYC apartment building.📺 Stream on Hulu

📺 Teen-Friendly Reality:

Love on the Spectrum – A heartwarming dating series following autistic young adults as they navigate relationships and self-discovery.📺 Stream on Netflix, Netflix Australia
The Kardashians – Go behind the scenes of pop culture’s most famous family as they navigate business, fame, and family life.📺 Stream on Hulu
Beast Games – A high-stakes, physical competition where contestants tackle extreme obstacle courses inspired by viral challenges.📺 Stream on Netflix
The Great British Bake Off – Cozy, kind-hearted competition in the English countryside where amateur bakers whip up showstoppers.📺 Stream on Netflix
The D’Amelio Show – A behind-the-scenes look at TikTok stars Charli and Dixie D’Amelio and their family as they adjust to sudden fame.📺 Stream on Hulu
Lego Masters – Creative teams build mind-blowing Lego creations in a fast-paced, funny competition hosted by Will Arnett.📺 Stream on Hulu, Fox

⚽ Sports-Focused Shows to Stream with Your Teen:

Quarterback – A behind-the-scenes look at NFL quarterbacks on and off the field, blending game-day intensity with personal life.📺 Stream on Netflix
Receiver – A companion docuseries to Quarterback, spotlighting the grit, drama, and athleticism of NFL wide receivers.📺 Stream on Netflix
Full Swing – An inside look at the world of pro golf and the personalities driving its biggest moments.📺 Stream on Netflix
Starting 5 – A heartfelt docuseries following college basketball players balancing high-stakes dreams and personal challenges.📺 Stream on Disney+
The Clubhouse – A documentary giving Red Sox fans and baseball lovers an intimate peek into the team’s culture and behind-the-scenes moments.📺 Stream on Netflix
The Amazing Race – Teams of two race around the globe facing physical and cultural challenges in a fast-paced adventure competition.📺 Stream on Paramount+, Hulu (early seasons)
Survivor – Stranded in remote locations, contestants outwit, outplay, and outlast one another for the $1 million prize.📺 Stream on Paramount+
Cheer – A gripping look at elite college cheerleaders as they train, compete, and push through injuries and adversity.📺 Stream on Netflix
Formula 1: Drive to Survive – High-speed thrills and intense rivalries make this F1 docuseries addictive, even for non-racing fans.📺 Stream on Netflix

🌍 Other / Nature / Documentary- Other Great Shows to Stream with Your Teen:

Tiny World – A visually stunning nature series that zooms in on the incredible lives of the planet’s smallest creatures.📺 Stream on Apple TV+
The Americas – A new epic docuseries narrated by Tom Hanks that explores the diverse landscapes and wildlife of North and South America.📺 Stream on NBC, Peacock
Saturday Night Live – The iconic sketch comedy show that’s still a favorite for its timely satire, celebrity cameos, and musical guests.📺 Stream on Peacock, Hulu (selected episodes)
The Mind, Explained – Fast-paced and fascinating episodes that break down how memory, dreams, anxiety, and more work in the brain.📺 Stream on Netflix
Welcome to Earth – Will Smith teams up with scientists and explorers to visit the planet’s most remote and awe-inspiring corners.📺 Stream on Disney+
Blue Planet II / Planet Earth II – Jaw-dropping nature documentaries with breathtaking visuals and narration by Sir David Attenborough.📺 Stream on Max, Discovery+

What The Babble Panel Said:

"Friends - always! Although I didn't realize how many sexual innuendos there are until we started watching it. Young Sheldon (Big Band Theory prequel) is pretty dang funny. Of course, Outerbanks is always a winner. And not sure this counts, but Mr. Beast's Beast Games...Crazy psychological game show!" --Jamie

"Our go-to is Friends. It’s like our comfort-food show! Others we love are: Modern Family and Will & Grace, and Full Swing has been a huge hit for my golfer (and it’s such a well made show, you really get invested in the golfers!). We loved Ted Lasso, Amazing Race.

And I’ll be honest - The Kardashains: My girls and I love seeing the fashion, jewelry, and homes. I also find that it starts a lot of good convos about plastic surgery and all the crazy shizzz the Kardashians do - it’s a good way to organically and casually do some parenting and share my values and hear what they think about things." --Erin

"Depends on age, of course... Schitt's Creek is wonderfully hilarious! Tiny World and The Americas, and Love On The Spectrum. The Clubhouse (Red Sox baseball documentary on Netflix) - great show for any athlete, especially episode 4 (talks about the mental health side of being a pro) - and be warned: lots of f-bombs in those dugouts." --Erika

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