The 15 Best Shows for Teens on Hulu Right Now
TL;DR: Hulu has a surprisingly solid lineup for teens that goes way beyond the Disney+ catalog. We're talking Gilmore Girls, Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, and Love, Victor. Some are squeaky clean, others have language and mature themes you'll want to know about. Here's what's actually worth watching, with the real deal on content.
Hulu occupies this interesting middle ground between Disney+'s family-friendly vibe and Netflix's "we greenlit what now?" energy. It's got network TV comfort shows, FX prestige stuff, and a decent collection of teen-focused originals that don't talk down to their audience.
The catch? Hulu's content ratings are all over the map, and the parental controls are... let's say they exist. You'll want to actually watch trailers and read these descriptions rather than just trusting the TV-14 label.
Ages 11+ | TV-PG
Seven seasons of rapid-fire dialogue, pop culture references, and a mother-daughter relationship that's honestly kind of aspirational. Rory and Lorelai talk like no humans have ever talked, but the Stars Hollow universe is genuinely wholesome. Minimal language, no sex scenes (though relationships are central), and the biggest "mature" content is... coffee addiction?
What parents should know: This is peak comfort TV. The references are dated (it aired 2000-2007), which somehow makes it more charming. Your teen might suddenly care about reading and journalism. The revival series A Year in the Life is TV-14 and has some sexual content, so that's a separate conversation.
Ages 12+ | TV-14
A mockumentary about underfunded public school teachers in Philadelphia. It's genuinely funny, occasionally heartwarming, and your teen might actually learn something about systemic inequality. Some mild language and adult humor, but nothing gratuitous.
What parents should know: This is one of those rare shows that's smart enough for adults but accessible for teens. The humor is character-based rather than shock-based. Great for sparking conversations about education, race, and workplace dynamics.
Ages 10+ | TV-14
An animated family running a burger restaurant. Despite the TV-14 rating, this is one of the most wholesome family dynamics on television. The Belcher family actually likes each other, which is weirdly revolutionary.
What parents should know: There's occasional mild language and adult humor that'll go over younger kids' heads. The show has been praised for its casual LGBTQ+ representation and body positivity. It's weird but in a good way.
Ages 13+ | TV-14
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez solve murders in their Upper West Side apartment building while recording a true crime podcast. It's clever, funny, and surprisingly wholesome for a murder mystery.
What parents should know: There's death (obviously) but it's not graphic. Some language, occasional drinking, and mature themes around loneliness and aging. The intergenerational friendship is genuinely sweet. If your teen is into true crime podcasts, this is a much better gateway than actual true crime.
Ages 15+ | TV-14
A 90s-set psychological thriller told across three summers about a girl who goes missing and the girl who seems to take over her life. It's twisty and well-acted.
What parents should know: This one earns its TV-14. There's grooming by an adult authority figure (a major plot point), references to sexual assault, drug use, and heavy themes around trauma and mental health. The show handles these topics seriously, but it's intense. Not for younger teens.
Ages 14+ | TV-14
A spinoff of Love, Simon about a Colombian-American teen navigating his sexuality while dealing with family expectations. It's sweet, occasionally messy (like actual teen life), and handles its subject matter with care.
What parents should know: Originally developed for Disney+ but moved to Hulu for "mature themes." There's some sexual content (mostly kissing and discussion), drinking, and language. The show portrays coming out as both difficult and ultimately positive. Good for sparking conversations about identity and acceptance, regardless of your teen's orientation.
Ages 16+ | TV-MA
A fine dining chef returns to Chicago to run his family's sandwich shop after his brother's death. It's stressful, beautifully shot, and has some of the best acting on TV.
What parents should know: The TV-MA is real. Constant strong language (the pilot has 200+ F-bombs), intense themes around grief and mental health, some drug references. But if you have an older teen interested in cooking, restaurants, or just really good television, this is worth watching together. The found family dynamics and portrayal of anxiety are remarkably authentic.
Ages 15+ | TV-MA
Two adult women play versions of their 13-year-old selves in the year 2000. It's cringeworthy in the best way—capturing middle school awkwardness with painful accuracy.
What parents should know: Despite the premise, this is definitely TV-MA. Sexual content (including masturbation, which is played for cringe comedy), drug use, strong language, and intense middle school bullying. It's also weirdly therapeutic? If you have a teen who's past middle school and can handle mature content, watching this together might prompt some "oh my god, remember when..." conversations.
Ages 12+ | TV-14
Animated sci-fi comedy from the creators of The Simpsons. A pizza delivery guy gets frozen and wakes up 1,000 years in the future. It's smart, surprisingly emotional, and holds up remarkably well.
What parents should know: Some adult humor and occasional violence, but it's cartoon violence. The show sneaks in real science and math jokes. Good for teens who like Rick and Morty but you want something less... nihilistic.
Ages 16+ | TV-MA
Aliens crash land on Earth and have strong opinions about everything. From one of the Rick and Morty creators, but more accessible and less emotionally devastating.
What parents should know: It's TV-MA for good reason—graphic violence (cartoon but still), sexual content, and constant strong language. But if your older teen already watches Rick and Morty, this is actually less dark thematically.
Ages 16+ | TV-MA
Dystopian drama based on Margaret Atwood's novel about a totalitarian society where women are enslaved for reproduction. It's powerful, relevant, and absolutely brutal.
What parents should know: This is heavy. Sexual violence (including rape, though not gratuitous), violence, disturbing themes throughout. If your teen is reading the book for school, watching together might make sense, but this isn't casual viewing. It's also genuinely excellent television that sparks important conversations about autonomy, resistance, and power.
Ages 8+ | TV-PG
A boy and his magical dog have adventures in a post-apocalyptic candy kingdom. It sounds weird because it is weird, but it's also creative, surprisingly deep, and genuinely funny.
What parents should know: Despite being a "kids show," Adventure Time has developed a massive teen and adult following because of its mythology, character development, and willingness to tackle complex themes. Very mild content-wise. Your teen might claim they're too old for this, but they're probably secretly watching it.
Ages 8+ | TV-PG
A boy who's half-human, half-magical alien protects Earth with a team of Crystal Gems. It's colorful, musical, and groundbreaking in its representation of LGBTQ+ relationships and non-binary characters.
What parents should know: This show is beloved by teens and adults for good reason. It handles themes of identity, trauma, and relationships with remarkable maturity. Some fantasy violence, but the show is fundamentally about empathy and communication. If you're looking for alternatives to typical action shows, this is it.
Ages 17+ | TV-MA
A Canadian comedy about the residents of a small rural town. The dialogue is rapid-fire, heavily accented, and absolutely hilarious if you can keep up.
What parents should know: Constant strong language, sexual references, drug use, and drinking. But it's also weirdly wholesome? The characters are loyal, the show celebrates rural culture without mocking it, and beneath all the profanity, it's about community. This is for older teens who can handle mature content and appreciate wordplay.
Ages 15+ | TV-MA
A mockumentary about vampire roommates living in Staten Island. It's absurd, clever, and consistently funny.
What parents should know: TV-MA for language, sexual content, and violence (it's about vampires, so there's blood). But the tone is comedic rather than scary. The show is actually pretty smart about relationships, immigration, and found family. Good for teens who appreciate dry humor.
11-13 years old: Stick with Gilmore Girls, Bob's Burgers, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Abbott Elementary. These have minimal mature content and positive messages.
14-15 years old: Add Only Murders in the Building, Love, Victor, Futurama, and What We Do in the Shadows (if they can handle the TV-MA rating). Watch Cruel Summer together and be ready for conversations about grooming and trauma.
16-17 years old: Everything's on the table, but The Bear, Pen15, The Handmaid's Tale, and Letterkenny deserve conversations first. These shows deal with heavy themes and mature content that's worth processing together.
Hulu's parental controls are... fine. You can create a Kids profile that filters content to TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, and G, PG-rated movies. But there's no custom filtering, and once your teen has access to a regular profile, they can watch anything.
The better approach? Actually talk about what they're watching. Check in about content rather than relying on technological barriers. If your 15-year-old wants to watch The Bear, watch an episode together first and decide if they're ready for the intensity and language.
Hulu's teen offerings are surprisingly strong, but they require more parental involvement than Disney+'s clearly-labeled content. The TV-14 rating covers everything from "one curse word per episode" to "heavy themes about trauma and sexuality," so you'll need to do your homework.
The good news? Many of these shows are genuinely worth watching together. Only Murders in the Building, Abbott Elementary, and The Bear are all shows that adults are watching anyway. Use them as conversation starters rather than just content to keep teens occupied.
And if your teen is watching Gilmore Girls for the third time? That's not a problem, that's a vibe. Sometimes comfort TV is exactly what they need.
Start here: Watch the first episode of Only Murders in the Building together. It's accessible, funny, and a good gauge for whether your teen is ready for more mature mystery content.
For the conversation-averse teen: Put on Bob's Burgers or Abbott Elementary. They're easy to watch casually but might spark organic discussions about family dynamics or social issues.
For the teen who's "too old" for kids shows: Introduce them to Steven Universe or Adventure Time. The fandoms are massive among teens and young adults for good reason.
Need more options? Check out our guides on the best shows for teens on Netflix and alternatives to binge-watching if you're worried about screen time.
And remember: the goal isn't to find perfect, sanitized content. It's to find shows that match your teen's maturity level and values while leaving room for them to explore stories that challenge and engage them. Sometimes that means watching something with language you'd rather they not repeat. Sometimes it means processing heavy themes together. That's kind of the whole point.