28 Best High School Series to Watch on Netflix (original) (raw)
Ah, the classic high school series. With characters and storylines that attempt to relate to the average teenage experience, the best high school series makes an effort to connect with its audience. From the 90s cheese of Beverly Hills, 90210, and Dawson's Creek to the more broody The O.C. in the early 2000s, teen shows have dominated the screen for decades.
The rise of streaming hasn't derailed this trend, and Netflix appears keen to capitalize on this market. Offering more unique takes on the genre, going beyond teen issues to horror and science-fiction elements, Netflix is the home of high school drama series. From the intriguing Riverdale to the titillating Élite, teens will surely relate to the best teenage shows available on the streaming service.
28 'Trinkets' (2019–2020)
Brianna Hildebrand, Kiana Madeira and Quintessa Swindell in a promo picture for Trinkets.
Image via Netflix
How do close-knit friendship groups form in high school? According to Trinkets, they can be born from a shared love of criminal activities, as three teenage girls connect at Shoplifters Anonymous. Elodie (Brianna Hildebrand) steals to distract from her grief in the wake of losing her mother and moving to a new town. Tabitha (Quintessa Swindell) may come from wealth, but she uses shoplifting as an escape from her abusive relationship. Moe (Kiana Madeira) is an intelligent student but an outcast, stealing for the hell of it.
As strange as that sounds, the show delivers a heartfelt coming-of-age journey surrounding three teenagers from different walks of life, discovering that they have more in common than they had initially thought—and no, not just a tiny kleptomaniac habit. The series only ran for two seasons, but it was enough to wrap up a compelling story of romance, family drama, and, of course, growing up with friends who just get it.
27 'Atypical' (2017–2021)
Keir Gilchrist in Atypical
Image via Netflix
In Atypical, the protagonist, Sam (Keir Gilchrist), decides that he wants to get a girlfriend and take charge of his life. However, as a teenager with autism, Sam's family members struggle with the idea of his independence and are very overprotective of him. As such, the entire family is navigating this new transition in Sam's life, learning how to give and take as Sam grows up.
While the representation of autism in Atypical has been debated, the overall consensus is that it is a light-hearted way to ease into the topic while raising awareness. But on top of this, the show also offers a feel-good exploration into family dynamics, relationships, and teenage milestones. It is definitely worth the binge and leaves you with a sense of comfort.
26 'XO, Kitty' (2023–)
'XO, Kitty' Season 2 image shows Anna Catchcart on a bed and looking at correspondence.
Image via Netflix
This spin-off show from the popular Netflix film, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, follows the youngest Covey sister (Anna Cathcart) all the way to the Korean International School of Seoul (or KISS). Kitty gets the full high school experience, including bouncing between crushes, exploring her sexuality, connecting to family and accidentally sleeping in the boy's dormitory.
Although the first season of XO, Kitty paled against its predecessor, holding too tightly onto romantic tropes and drama instead of depth, the second season finds its footing. Fans of the original novels and Netflix trilogy flock to this heart-warming and wholesome series that reminds us of the more frivolous side to high school.
25 'Everything Sucks!' (2018)
Oliver (Elijah Stevenson) stands with his arm around Emaline (Sydney Sweeney) in a high school cafeteria as they talk with a fellow student in 'Everything Sucks!' (2018)
Image via Netflix
Everything truly does suck for the students at Boring High School in Oregon. It's the '90s and this group of misfit students have nothing to do. While they struggle with their sexuality and social norms, they decide to make a movie, bringing them all closer in the process.
Everything Sucks! received moderate reviews when it was released in 2018, and garnered a cult-like fan base, hoping that it would be renewed for a second season. However, like a lot of Netflix shows, it was canceled shortly after the first season aired. Still, the show is great for those nostalgic for that '90s lifestyle and a great watch if you're trying to go back in time.
24 'The Society' (2019)
Allie looking at a boy with his back to the camera while two other boys stand behind her in The Society.
Image via Netflix
In West Ham, Connecticut, something strange is happening. People are disappearing. A group of high school students return home after a field trip and find that their town is now covered by a dense forest and all the residents are gone. They now must survive and rebuild their society as best they can. However, being high schoolers, they struggle with petty drama, gossip, and immaturity.
The Society was met with positive reviews, with most saying that it is a surprising watch and deserves the viewer's full attention. While it was praised, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix ultimately canceled the show, which was cited as cost increases and difficulty with scheduling.=
23 'Young Royals' (2021–)
Image via Netflix
Prince Wilhelm of Sweden starts a new semester at the prestigious border school Hillerska. The show follows his life as he develops a relationship with his classmate Simon. The two begin a relationship, but being a prince, Wilhelm is under constant scrutiny for his sexuality.
Young Royals holds a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was equated to the drama of shows like Gossip Girl and The Crown. It focuses on many struggles that teens face in today's harsh society, such as homophobia, eating disorders, mental health issues, and abuse. It's one of the better shows about high school currently streaming on Netflix and just finished its third season in March.
22 'Boo, B***h' (2022)
boo bitch lana condor zoe colletti social featured
Image via Netflix
After spending most of her high school journey living under the radar, senior Erika Vu (Lana Condor) decides to cut loose and make the most of her remaining teenage years. Unfortunately, she wakes up the next morning as a ghost, and with the help of her best friend, Erika is forced to make up for lost time beyond the grave.
The fun Netflix teen show Boo, B***h puts a fresh spin on the high school formula by making its lead one of the undead, and while most teens cannot relate to being a ghost, it still allows for some funny scenarios. While the script does veer a bit too close to other, better high school-set stories, the performances from Condor and the rest of the cast make it worth watching.
21 'Jinn' (2019)
Salma Malhas and two guys staring at each other under purple light in Jinn.
Image via Netflix
On a school trip to Petra, unwitting students accidentally release two jinns into the world of Netflix's Jinn, one good and one bad. The supernatural beings take the appearance of school kids, turning the high school grounds into a petri dish of paranoia. Among the dangerous chaos, where students are getting picked off one by one, the cast still have to deal with the pains of growing up.
Jinn blends supernatural elements seamlessly with the show's cultural exploration into the youth of Amman, Jordan. They still have to navigate the strict social structures at school and the pressures in their home life, all while their peers are dying from a deceptive jinn. If you like a dash of mythological havoc in your coming-of-age tales, then this show is waiting on Netflix for you.
20 'Girl From Nowhere' (2018–2021)
Chicha Amatayakul as Nanno in Netflix's Girl From Nowhere
Image Via Netflix
As much as we wish high school was full of friends, laughter, and love, this Netflix series exposes the hypocrisy and immoral underbelly of both the teachers and students in high school. From predatory teachers to bullying students, Girl From Nowhere further twists these horrific aspects of the setting and turns them into a horror anthology. Nanno (Kitty Chicha) is the thread between each episode and acts as a vehicle for a dark sort of karma.
Fans of this show are particularly drawn to the dead-eyed, hair-twirling, and wild-laughing Nanno who incites the violence and brutality around her without lifting a finger—she simply gives options to people, allowing them to make their corrupt choices. Season 2 heightened the stakes with a second, more cutthroat version of her that contributed to an overarching narrative, unlike the first season.
19 'Riverdale' (2017–2023)
Image Via The CW
A throwback to the schlocky teen shows of the 1990s, Riverdale is a teen show that's nothing like high school, as it finds its cast dealing with regular teenage issues such as solving a murder. Based on the famous Archie comics, Riverdale became a phenomenon after its release in 2017, with each new season regularly rating among the most watched on Netflix.
Despite how campy the show has been across its six seasons, sometimes veering into melodrama, it has remained self-aware, acknowledging that it knows just how ridiculous it can be. It also manages to pull in viewers as it keeps a central mystery every season, keeping viewers guessing which direction the show will go to. The show's success has led to spin-offs, including Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Katy Keene.