Here's what we know from Screenwise data: 92% of families have a TV in their home, and about 40% of families use Netflix regularly with their kids. Another 50% watch Disney+ together as a family. That's a lot of couch time—but finding something that doesn't feel like homework (to them) or brain rot (to you) is the eternal struggle.

The average family is logging about 4.2 hours of screen time per day, and honestly? Some of that might as well be spent on something that sparks a conversation instead of just filling time.

These shows aren't the algorithm's top picks. They're not the ones Netflix shoves in your face every time you open the app. But they're the ones that might actually get your teen to pause their phone, sit down, and say "okay, fine, I'll watch one episode."

Ages: 13+

This British series follows Charlie and Nick—two boys at an all-boys school who develop feelings for each other. It's based on the beloved graphic novel series, and the show captures that same gentle, hopeful energy.

Why it works for families: Unlike a lot of teen dramas that thrive on chaos and cruelty, Heartstopper is refreshingly kind. The characters are supportive, the adults are actually helpful, and the romance unfolds at a pace that feels real. It tackles serious topics—coming out, mental health, eating disorders—but never feels preachy or after-school-special.

Content heads-up: Some kissing, discussions of mental health struggles, and bullying. The show handles LGBTQ+ themes with care and authenticity. If your family is still navigating conversations about sexuality and identity, this might be a gentle entry point.

Ages: 14+

Set in 1996 Oregon, this one-season wonder follows the A/V club and drama club at Boring High School (yes, really). Kate is figuring out she's a lesbian while navigating her dad's cluelessness and her mom's absence. Luke is navigating his crush on Kate while making terrible student films.

Why it works for families: The 90s nostalgia is chef's kiss for parents, and the coming-out storyline is handled with surprising nuance. It's funny without being mean, and it captures that specific high school feeling of everything being simultaneously life-or-death important and completely ridiculous.

Content heads-up: Some language, teen drinking, and discussions of sexuality. The show was tragically canceled after one season, but it tells a complete enough story that it doesn't feel unfinished.

Ages: 16+

A fine-dining chef returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop after his brother's suicide. It's intense, it's stressful, and it's absolutely riveting.

Why it works for families: This isn't a "family show" in the traditional sense—it's loud, chaotic, and full of kitchen profanity. But it's also about grief, family dysfunction, ambition, and what it means to care about something. The episodes are tight (most are under 30 minutes), and the storytelling is so good that even teens who "don't like cooking shows" get sucked in.

Content heads-up: Pervasive strong language, intense emotional scenes, discussion of suicide, and high-stress situations. This is for older teens who can handle mature themes. But if your 16-year-old is ready, The Bear is the kind of show that sticks with you.

Ages: 15+ (and only if you're ready for the awkward)

Okay, stay with me. This animated series about puberty is crude, explicit, and features literal "Hormone Monsters." It's also one of the most honest depictions of adolescence ever made.

Why it works for families: Because it says all the things nobody wants to say out loud. It tackles puberty, sexuality, consent, shame, and identity with unflinching honesty and surprising heart. Is it comfortable to watch with your teen? Absolutely not. But if you can get past the shock value, it opens up conversations that are nearly impossible to start otherwise.

Content heads-up: Explicit sexual content (animated), strong language, mature themes throughout. This is NOT for younger teens or families who aren't ready for extremely frank discussions about bodies and sexuality. But for families who want to normalize these conversations? Big Mouth might be your weird, uncomfortable ally.

Ages: 16+

James thinks he's a psychopath. Alyssa is impulsive and angry. They decide to run away together, and things get very, very complicated.

Why it works for families: It's darkly funny, visually striking, and surprisingly tender underneath all the chaos. The episodes are short (around 20 minutes), and the storytelling is tight. It's also a surprisingly honest look at trauma, mental health, and what happens when two damaged people try to help each other.

Content heads-up: Violence, strong language, sexual content, and discussions of abuse. The show doesn't glamorize any of it, but it's definitely intense. For mature teens who appreciate dark humor and complex characters.

Ages: 14+

Four friends navigate high school in South Central Los Angeles, dealing with gangs, family expectations, and the constant threat of violence.

Why it works for families: It's funny, heartfelt, and doesn't shy away from the realities of growing up in a community affected by gang violence. The characters are fully realized, the friendships feel genuine, and the show balances humor with serious stakes. It's also one of the few shows that centers Latinx characters without making their identity the entire plot.

Content heads-up: Gang violence, some sexual content, language, and intense situations. The show treats these topics seriously but never feels exploitative.

Ages: 13+

Devi is a first-generation Indian American teen dealing with her father's sudden death, her complicated relationship with her mother, and her desperate desire to be popular.

Why it works for families: It's created by Mindy Kaling and captures the specific chaos of being a teenage girl with perfect comedic timing. But underneath the humor, it's really about grief, cultural identity, and family expectations. The show doesn't make Devi likable all the time—she's selfish, impulsive, and often wrong—but she's real.

Content heads-up: Sexual content, language, and discussions of grief and mental health. The show handles cultural and generational conflicts with nuance, making it a great conversation starter for families navigating similar dynamics.

Ages: 17+

Marianne and Connell's relationship spans from their final year of secondary school in Ireland through their time at Trinity College. It's intimate, devastating, and beautifully made.

Why it works for families: This is for older teens who are ready for something that treats relationships with the complexity they deserve. It's about class, mental health, intimacy, and the ways we hurt the people we love. The acting is phenomenal, and the show trusts its audience to sit with difficult emotions.

Content heads-up: Explicit sexual content, full nudity, discussions of depression and suicide, and emotionally intense scenes throughout. This is absolutely not for younger teens, but for a 17-year-old heading to college? Normal People might be the most honest depiction of first love they'll see.

These shows aren't perfect. They're messy, sometimes uncomfortable, and they don't always tie everything up neatly. But that's exactly why they work for teens.

They treat young people like they're capable of handling complex emotions. They don't talk down to their audience. And they create space for conversations that are hard to start from scratch.

The shows that make it onto Netflix's "Top 10" list are often optimized for binge-watching and algorithm-friendly engagement. These shows? They're optimized for actually being good.

Start with one episode. Don't commit to the whole series. Just say "hey, I heard this is good, want to try an episode?" Low pressure, easy exit.

Let them have opinions. If they hate it, that's fine. If they love it and you don't, that's also fine. The point isn't to agree—it's to have something to talk about.

Don't force the conversation. Sometimes the best part of watching together is just... watching together. The conversations will happen naturally if you're not trying to turn every show into a teaching moment.

Check in about content. Some of these shows have intense moments. It's okay to pause and ask "you good?" or "want to skip this part?" Respecting their boundaries builds trust.

Finding something that bridges the gap between "teen-approved" and "parent-tolerable" is genuinely hard. These shows aren't going to fix family dynamics or magically make your teen want to hang out more. But they might give you 30 minutes where you're in the same room, experiencing the same story, and maybe—just maybe—that creates a little opening for connection.

The data shows families are already spending hours in front of screens together. Might as well make some of those hours count.

Ask our chatbot for more age-appropriate show recommendations or explore our guide to talking about mature content with teens.