10 Teen Dramas That Explore Coming-of-Age Themes Better Than Stranger Things

Although Stranger Things is a fantastic show about growing up, other series are even better. The Netflix hit expertly blends science fiction and horror, and lets viewers really connect with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her group of friends throughout its many strong seasons. Many episodes explore themes of first crushes, forming new friendships, and figuring out where you belong.

While Stranger Things is excellent, many teen dramas and comedies really focus on the challenges and experiences of being a teenager. From British shows that paved the way for tackling serious topics to animated series celebrating individuality, these programs are truly impactful.

Skins (2007-2013)

While the characters in Stranger Things go through significant development, Skins remains a standout show for its realistic and compelling portrayal of teenage life.

I’m a huge fan of Skins because it really gets into the messy lives of teenagers. It’s not afraid to tackle tough stuff – like when Chris Miles gets left by his family, or Cassie’s struggle with anorexia. What I love most is how it deals with things like mental health, sexuality, and even just the differences between people and their backgrounds. It feels so authentic and honest, never preachy or over-the-top.

Later seasons of Stranger Things touch on Will Byers’ sexuality, but it’s handled with more nuance than on Skins, resulting in a less direct and powerful portrayal.

Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)

Set in a football-obsessed Texas town, Friday Night Lights beautifully explores the complexities of first love and finding your identity. The show also thoughtfully examines the struggle to balance ambitious dreams with reality, and the challenges of growing up without losing sight of who you are.

As a fan, I’ve noticed that Eleven and her friends are so caught up in the craziness of the Upside Down and figuring out her past, they don’t really think about what comes next. Which, honestly, makes total sense – their lives are constantly on the line! But because of that, shows like Friday Night Lights actually do a better job of showing those classic coming-of-age moments, you know, thinking about college and the future.

Daria (1997-2002)

As a total movie and TV buff, I’ve always thought Daria Morgendorffer, voiced by Tracy Grandstaff, is one of the best teenage characters ever created. The show Daria really resonated with me because, through her super-dry and honest point of view, it always encouraged viewers to just be themselves – completely and unapologetically.

Daria tackles relatable teenage experiences – like falling for a friend, feeling like an outsider at school, and navigating family life – while exploring themes of first love and becoming independent.

Honestly, as much as I love Stranger Things, I think Daria actually does a better job of digging into what really matters – things like love, friendship, and figuring out your life. With Eleven and Mike, their sweet moments always seem to get lost in all the monster battles and craziness happening around them. It’s fun, sure, but Daria just feels more real when it comes to those core relationships and life choices.

Switched At Birth (2011-2017)

Even though the show’s starting idea is a bit far-fetched, Switched at Birth is a genuinely funny, moving, and realistic story about how two teenage girls, Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) and Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano), form a strong connection and become important in each other’s lives.

I’ve always been captivated by this show because it felt so real. Over the five seasons, it beautifully explored the everyday struggles of being a teenager – things like dating, family issues, and figuring out money. But it wasn’t just about typical teen drama; it also highlighted important things like Daphne’s passionate work with the deaf community and Bay’s artistic talent. While shows like Stranger Things often lean into the fantastical, Switched at Birth really grounded itself in the relatable realities of high school – from holding down a job after school to preparing for the big leap to college. It just felt so authentic.

Pen15 (2019-2021)

Pen15, created by and starring Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, is a funny and honest show about the awkwardness of being 13. The two adult actresses play younger versions of themselves, navigating middle school, friendship, and all the cringe-worthy moments of the early 2000s.

Pen15 perfectly captures the cringeworthy but relatable moments of being a teenager – from early instant messaging to the ups and downs of first crushes. The show honestly portrays the struggle of staying true to yourself while also trying to fit in at school.

Unlike Stranger Things, Pen15 approaches these themes with a greater sense of realism. Though Stranger Things briefly touches on the complexities of popularity through the friendship of Nancy Wheeler and Barb Holland, Barb’s sudden death quickly takes center stage.

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)

Beverly Hills, 90210, a popular and innovative teen drama, covered a surprisingly wide range of serious issues. These included adjusting to a new town, dealing with absent parents, substance abuse, relationships, love, friendship, death, pregnancy, and various health concerns.

I love Stranger Things, and while it definitely shows those awkward growing-up moments and how hard it is to find your place, I think it really shines with its amazing sci-fi ideas and thrilling action. But when it comes to shows that really understood what it was like to be a teenager, 90210 will always be a classic. It paved the way for so many shows that came after it!

All American (2018-Present)

I just finished watching All American, and it really resonated with me. It’s a classic coming-of-age story, tackling those big life questions we all face – figuring out your future, chasing your dreams, and dealing with really tough emotions like loss. The show follows Spencer James, played by Daniel Ezra, and his journey is actually inspired by the real-life experiences of football player Spencer Paysinger. It’s surprisingly relatable and emotionally impactful.

The CW show mixes emotional stories about love, friendship, and family with the excitement of competitive sports. While the kids in Stranger Things face difficult challenges, those problems are made unique by the show’s supernatural elements, making it harder to fully connect with them. All American, however, tells stories that feel more grounded in reality.

Never Have I Ever (2020-2023)

Season 4 of Stranger Things powerfully portrays the experience of teenage grief, focusing on Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) as she struggles with the loss of her brother, Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery).

The story is compelling, but the way Max’s grief is used to connect her to the supernatural world feels unrealistic. While emotionally powerful, having Vecna exploit her pain to pull her into the Upside Down strains believability.

The Netflix comedy Never Have I Ever effectively portrays Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she deals with the loss of her father. It also realistically explores typical teenage experiences, such as intense feelings, first romances, and the desire to fit in.

The Fosters (2013-2017)

The Freeform drama The Fosters consistently delivers touching and emotional stories throughout its five seasons, with each season being as strong as the last. The show follows Lena (Sherri Saum) and Stef (Teri Polo) as they raise their biological twins, plus Jude (Hayden Byerly) and Callie (Maia Mitchell), who join their family early on.

The show balances important issues like adoption, sexuality, immigration, and racism with more lighthearted stories about dating and family, preventing it from becoming overly serious. While Stranger Things effectively portrays Eleven’s difficulties with belonging, it doesn’t explore as many complex teen issues as The Fosters does.

My So-Called Life (1994-1995)

The ’90s show My So-Called Life was a funny and insightful drama that, unfortunately, only lasted for one season of 19 episodes. Even so, the main character, Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes), really stays with you.

Angela is a classic and relatable teenage character – whether she’s influenced by a teacher or heartbroken by her crush, Jordan Catalano. The show does a great job of letting us understand her, including her struggle to balance family obligations with her desire to have fun and be independent with her friends.

While Stranger Things features compelling monsters and a captivating atmosphere, it doesn’t explore the complexities and funny moments of being a teenager as thoroughly as My So-Called Life does.

2025-11-02 20:51