The trials and tribulations of high school life have become ample ground for TV and film in the past few years. Audiences are finding themselves resonating with stories of growing up, figuring out your place in the world, and self-acceptance more so than ever before.
Streaming platforms such as Netflix have tapped into this demographic of stories with both their original and classic options of programming. With both modern and established series to choose from, these series depict a satisfying slice of what high school life is truly like for girls and boys. Check out these options below to find your favorite or new series about high school life!
6 Sex Education
The nature of teenage love and sexuality is a topic often explored in high school series. Thankfully, Sex Education offers a refreshing, frank, and sincere perspective on the subject. The series follows a group of high schoolers and adults navigating the tricky territory of dating, intimacy, and personal relationships. Sex Education differs from most series in how it doesn't settle for just raunchy or easy jokes or themes.
Instead, it underlines the parallels between its adult and youth cast and examines the struggles of maintaining a genuine connection. It also benefits from a truly talented ensemble cast including Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Mimee Keene, and Aimee Lou Wood. Sex Education has received critical praise and attention and strong viewership as well. For fans of the coming of age narrative, Sex Education is a compelling, mature, and engaging entry that's an important watch.
5 Stranger Things
One of if not Netflix's signature series, Stranger Things has become a global phenomenon. The series despite it's sci-fi and horror tropes, is most effective when exploring its youthful cast especially as they enter high school. Stranger Things both celebrates nostalgia but also underlines no matter the year, our struggles at that age remain universal. The series also emphasizes the bonds between the characters which gives it genuine resonance. While many may point to its visual effects, set pieces or homages as its selling point, Stranger Things is ultimately a show about friendship, growing up and the bonds we share.
The series has amassed legions of devoted fans in large part to its ensemble cast and characters. Millie Bobbie Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery, Gatten Matarazzo, and Noah Schnapp all have created iconic characters whom audiences continue to be endeared to. Stranger Things remains high in popularity and its fourth season is eagerly anticipated by many.
4 Atypical
The idea of feeling misunderstood, or an outcast is recurrent in many high school series. Atypical takes it one further as it explores life on the spectrum while also delving into the uncertainty of high school life. Atypical follows 18-year-old Sam, who is on the spectrum and ready to find love and get himself out there. The series strikes a balance between heartfelt and humorous, and takes a diverse perspective to its storytelling. Atypical also revolves around an ensemble cast which allows it to explore relationships, connections, and identity.
Atypical manages to tackle potentially sensitive subjects with heart, compassion and honesty and also develops its characters in a genuine fashion. Atypical has received strong critical attention and been recognized for its diverse take on the coming of age story that addresses autism. For those who like their high school stories especially heartfelt, Atypical is a more than worthy selection.
3 American Vandal
Framed as a satire of true-crime documentaries such as Making of a Murderer, American Vandal utilizes its high school setting for big laughs and big ideas. The series follows a vandalization incident that frames a dope-headed slacker. However, two eager students set out to deduce what they believe is the truth behind the crime. American Vandal explores generation Z in a manner that's both clever and shockingly relevant.
American Vandal offers a commentary on how high school can resemble the real world, as various factions set out to fulfill their own motivations no matter the cost. Throw in its spot-on parody and nods to conspiracy thrillers and documentaries and the results are endlessly entertaining, insightful, original, surprisingly suspenseful, and hilarious as a teen comedy. American Vandal was a critical success upon release and drew a loyal fan base thanks to its fresh and unique approach, and its cancellation after two brilliant seasons was seen as an injustice. More notably, it proves that the high school series can be subversive and inventive still.
2 The End of The F***King World
Quite the unconventional premise, this series follows teenage psychopath James who finds an unlikely bond with outsider Alyssa as they embark on a road trip to locate her real father. The series is quite a risky blend of genres as it navigates between dark comedy and earnest teen drama all while presenting us with some very complex characters.
However, despite its edgy premise,End of The F**king World has a level of sincerity and humanity that allows it to resonate with audiences. Its mix of dark humor, character, and surrealism make it a truly original and unexpected gem (with some wonderful needle drops in its great soundtrack). For those looking for something refreshing within the genre, The End of The F**king World is a truly satisfying addition.
1 Cobra Kai
Coming of age and karate is an exciting mix, and over its four seasons, Cobra Kai has taken full advantage of that combo. The series which is a continuation of the beloved Karate Kid franchise follows a group of high schoolers who find themselves in a war between Miyagi-do and the newly resurrected Cobra Kai. The results include plenty of exciting drama, action, romance, and throwbacks to the original trilogy.
Cobra Kai, like Stranger Things, manages to engage thanks to its heartfelt look at teenage life and the struggles of accepting your identity. The series tackles themes of bullying, acceptance, and trauma, but never in a ham-fisted fashion and invests deeply in the arcs of its characters. Cobra Kai is noteworthy for its action and thrills, but is even more impressive for its sincerity regarding teenage life. Cobra Kai has quickly become a smash hit for Netflix and just recently aired its fourth season. For those who like their high school drama with some nostalgia and action, Cobra Kai is a more than worthy choice.