By: LeeAnn Narkawicz (2025)

1. H2O: Just Add Water: Just Add Water is a classic teen favorite about friendship, identity, and the challenges of growing up with family and relationship issues.  What makes this show so special is the way it balances magical mermaid adventures with realistic teen issues.  The friendship and character development makes the show engaging and relatable.  I feel like viewers watch as the girls navigate personal growth. I feel like teens in 2025 will still connect with these characters because of the many struggles they go through throughout the seasons like friendship drama, family issues and toxic relationships and figuring out who they are as a person. Overall if you watch this show you wouldn’t be disappointed. 

2. Outer Banks

Outer Banks delivers high stakes adventure , mystery and teen drama.  This series follows pogues who are working class residents of the cut on the south side of kildare island as they chase treasure , face danger, and navigate  through complex relationships.  What makes it stand out is the loyalty and the amazing character development especially with the character JJ. I love how all of the characters have a strong bond even when they fight , they never give up on each other. With thrilling treasure hunts and intense moments like the season one finale, and the unforgettable characters make this show what it is. If you're a teen that loves action , mystery and heart pounding adventures this show will be irresistible for you.

3. Adolescence

This darker crime drama hooks viewers with suspense, emotion, and strong character development. Jamie Miller, in particular, drives the story with her relatable growth and complex personality. Adolescence keeps teens questioning what’s happening while offering a window into challenges young people face. The show is intense, emotional, and thought-provoking, making it perfect for fans of mystery and drama. Even though it’s heavy, it’s worth watching for its suspenseful storytelling and realistic characters.  I would recommend this series to everyone even if you don’t like scary things because of the characters. 

4.  My life with the walter boys

My life with the walter boys is a family and romance drama that resonants with teens both girls and boys because of how relatable the characters are and the real life scenarios are so accurate to what teens go through. One of the characters named Cole is misunderstood yet he’s one of the most caring people in the show and he’s a fan favorite because he’s relatable to most teens because of the issues he goes through with family and friends.  The main character Jackie just moved in with her parents best friends family because they died and she goes there and she doesn’t think anyone understands her but cole understands her because he feels broken inside just like her and the other character Alex is nice to her in the beginning and treats her like she belongs there and she falls for him but she also falls for cole but she dates alex and some issues come involved. Overall this show is both romantic and heartwearing and it’s worth watching in 2025 because of how it captures the feelings and the struggles of modern teenagers. Lastly season two is even more interesting and it just did come out but it will make you think a lot and if you watch season one you should watch season two. 

5. Alexa & Katie 

Alexa & Katie is all about friendship , loyalty and overcoming challenges together. The series tackles serious topics like illness with humor and heart, making it both uplifting and emotional. Teens will relate to Alexa’s strength, Katie’s loyalty, and the realistic struggles of growing up. The show teaches valuable lessons about empathy and perseverance, and it’s rewatchable for the laughs, heartfelt moments, and timeless themes of friendship. I also think it does show how relationships can be positive and how to make them work. Even though this show was made in 2018 it can still relate two teens in 2025 because all teens go through most of the same things as each other. Overall you should watch this show to help you know what to do if you were in these same situations. 

6. Wednesday 

Wednesday brings out a perfect mix of mystery, humor and teen drama. Following the iconic Wednesday Addams, the show dives into her adventures at Nevermore Academy. Fans love Wednesday’s unique personality and clever wit, as well as the intriguing secondary characters who bring depth and charm. The series explores themes of being different, finding your place, and embracing individuality. Teens who enjoy a mix of creepy fun, mystery, and sharp humor will find Wednesday captivating and rewatchable. 

7.  Surviving summer 

Surviving the summer is about a teen girl named summer she has to go live with her mom’s best friend for the summer in Australia and she thinks she’s going to hate it there especially because she knows everyone loves surfing but turns out she loves it there and she falls in love and she makes new friends and the next summer she comes back and competes in suffering.Surviving Summer is perfect for teens who crave adventure, friendship, and summer vibes. Following characters navigating personal challenges while surfing and growing together, the show combines action, drama, and teen relationships. It teaches lessons about resilience, fitting in, and pursuing your passions. Its thrilling surfing adventures and emotional arcs make it a binge-worthy series that teens in 2025 will still enjoy.

8.  Xo Kitty 

This series follows a girl name kitty that moves to south korea because her ex boyfriend just moved there and that’s why they broke up but then she enrolls into the same school as him and she finds out he has a new girlfriend named Yuir but they are not actually dating it’s a fake relationship but then him and Yuir do a fake break up and kitty meets a lot of new people at this school and her ex boyfriend best friend from this school annoys her but then they fall in love with each other and see that he has a lot of rich parents issues and they navigate through their issues together and a lot of other interesting things happen but you should wait to watch this show. Also Kitty’s adventures are full of romance, humor, and relatable teen struggles, making the series lighthearted yet meaningful. Teens will connect with the lessons about love, self-discovery, and friendship. The series is fun, rewatchable, and perfect for anyone who enjoys romantic comedy with a modern teen twist.

9. Green house academy 

Green house academy blends mystery , adventure and teen drama in a unique boarding school setting. This story follows siblings Hayley and Alex Woods, who enroll at an elite school for gifted future leaders after their mother’s tragic death during a space mission. At the Greenhouse, students are split into two rival houses called  the Ravens and the Eagles  and constantly compete for power, prestige, and success.  But beneath all the competitions , secrets and conspiracies unravel that connect back to the siblings’ mother, putting them and their friends in danger but they also fall in love during this adventure and every season is new secrets and new adventures. Along the way, teens deal with friendships, romances, and rivalries while uncovering shocking truths about the school and the world around them. The show teaches teamwork, leadership, and perseverance while balancing emotional teen struggles with a fast-paced mystery. Its mix of boarding school drama, spy-like twists, and heartfelt character moments make Greenhouse Academy a must-watch for teens who enjoy shows with both brains and heart. 

10. DI4RIES

What I love about DI4RIES is how real it feels. It’s about a group of kids at an Italian middle school, and each episode shows the story from a different student’s point of view, kind of like flipping through their diary. You really get to see how each of them thinks and feels, which makes the show super relatable.

It covers all the things teens actually go through — crushes, friendship drama, first loves, jealousy, even bullying. Some parts are funny, some are emotional, and sometimes it just feels like you’re watching your own life on screen. That’s what makes it so easy to connect with. I think teens in 2025 should watch DI4RIES because it shows that everyone’s going through something, even if they don’t always say it. It’s relatable, emotional, and just feels real.

Overall all these shows connect to teens nowadays because of the issues with toxic relationships with friends and family. In my opinion even though all of these shows have different situations they relate to different teens because we all go through similar situations with fake friends , drama and our love lives. These shows teach us how to fix our issues and help us overcome our fears that we have in our lives. Lastly I hope you like this article and give you some good ideas to watch on Netflix with yourself , your friends and with family.