While some shows skillfully entertain, others hold the capability of reflecting the audience captivated by them. Then there are the rarities that do both, capturing and depicting an entire generation, laid bare for all to see. Whether the story is built on a blend of style, bold storytelling, or rawness, the best of these series tell a story to young people, about young people, and what it means to reach adulthood today.

From even the most twisted representation of youth, like with the iconic show Gen V, to the bold and taboo lessons of Sex Education, the shows compiled on this list feature topics and diverse themes of the too-often overlooked emotional lives of the Gen Z generation. The series on this list are generational-defining TV entertainment, and among some of Gen Z’s best.

10

‘Bluey’ (2018–)

Created by Joe Brumm

This brilliant Australian animated series is rife with deep themes that bring joy to all who watch it. Bluey centers around the joyful adventures of the young Blue Heeler pup, Bluey, and her family. Though the series is targeted at preschoolers, with its imaginative play, bright colors, and family bonding moments, Bluey offers creatively deep themes, with a surprising amount of emotional intelligence and family dynamics that resonate beautifully with the Gen Z generation.

The series is used more as a comfort show for its Gen Z viewers, since it holds a wholesomeness that appeals to just about everyone. The genuine and often raw moments show that the series values the authenticity of its emotional awareness. With its touching life lessons, deeper themes, and slice-of-life moments, Gen Z audiences continue to flock to the brightly colored series.

Bluey

Release Date

September 30, 2018

Network

ABC

9

‘School Spirits’ (2023–)

Created by Megan Trinrud and Nate Trinrud

School Spirits is a bout of angsty teen goodness, with supernatural happenings. The teen drama follows high school student Maddie (Peyton List) as she finds herself stuck in a sort of afterlife limbo set in her high school. With no clue about how she died, Maddie tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding her death.

School Spirit uniquely explores the complexities of teenage life through a supernatural lens, especially popular among Gen Z teens. Appealing to the older division of the generation, the show also explores themes of grief and self-discovery. With a diverse cast of characters and a compelling storyline that is host to mystery, emotional depth, and relatable teen moments, School Spirits resonates across its Gen Z audience as a whole, making it a great addition to this list of Gen Z generation staples.

School Spirits

Release Date

March 9, 2023

Writers

Nate Trinrud, Megan Trinrud, Oliver Goldstick

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8

‘Never Have I Ever’ (2020–2022)

Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher

This coming-of-age story brings a fresh approach to adolescence that mixes wholesome moments with humor. Never Have I Ever follows first-generation Indian-American teenager Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) as she navigates high school, romance, loss, and cultural identity.

Capturing the essence of the Gen Z generation, Never Have I Ever accurately presents the challenges of growing up in a multicultural society. Addressing heavy themes such as grief, depression, and cultural expectations, alongside lighter tones of teenage angst and romance, Never Have I Ever does a great job reflecting the multifaceted experiences of modern youth. Its Gen Z viewers adore the show for its relatability and genuineness, making it a great pick for this list of Gen Z’s best TV shows.

7

‘Gen V’ (2023–)

Created by Craig Rosenberg, Evan Goldberg, and Eric Kripke

Gen V is the action-packed spin-off of the iconic series The Boys. The story centers around the young budding heroes attending Godolkin University as they train to make it to the elite, of the elites, The Seven. While navigating college life and superpowers, these young superheroes are forced to untangle a dastardly truth about their school and lives.

Though Gen V is on the cruder side of things, it really just makes it much more appealing to the Gen Z generation. The series explores themes such as identity, power, and corruption, while cleverly satirizing them, succeeding at nearly perfectly aligning with much of Gen Z’s critical views of institutional structures. Since the series is set in college and mainly focuses on young adult themes, it often hits the nail on its head with its Gen Z demographic, resonating deeply with them. Gen Z viewers find the series all the more appealing for its edgy, gory, yet surprisingly thought-provoking content, including social themes.

Gen V

Release Date

September 28, 2023

Network

Prime Video

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  Jaz Sinclair

  Marie Moreau

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  Lizze Broadway

  Emma Meyer / Little Cricket

6

‘Adults’ (2025–)

Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw

This comedy TV show offers a humorous and raw view into the struggles of modern-day adulthood. Adults centers on a group of twenty-somethings as they attempt adulthood in New York City, dealing with “adult situations,” like navigating career uncertainties and personal relationships.

Adults is perfect for anyone stepping into their ”grown-up pants.” The series highlights the transition into adulthood, perfect for the older segment of the Gen Z generation. Adults reflects Gen Z’s experience with trying to be a functioning adult in modern society, and often not feeling as such, as they tackle identity exploration, modern relationships, and economic stability. While the show has its flaws, it does a good job at relatability, particularly with its Gen Z audience.

5

‘The Bear’ (2022–)

Created by Christopher Storer

The Bear is a popular drama TV series that explores the pressures of the culinary industry while tackling themes of ambition, resilience, and grief. The series follows the young Chef, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), as he makes his return to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop after tragedy strikes.

The Bear does well, capturing the struggles of mental health and the hustle culture, which highly resonates with the Gen Z generation. The show beautifully reflects workplace dynamics and personal obstacles, delivering moments of grief, anxiety, and burnout, in a genuine and unfiltered way. The Bear strikes a chord with its Gen Z viewers, as the fast-paced intensity of the show’s story greatly mirrors the pressures many of the Gen Z audience may be facing in their own lives, cementing this show’s place on this list among the generation’s best.

4

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Created by Hajime Isayama

Attack on Titan stands as one of the most popular action anime of all time, and the majority of its viewers are Gen Z. The series is set in a world where humanity is forced behind walls in order to avoid being ripped apart by man-eating titans. The story centers on Eren Yeager (Yuki Kaji) and his close friends as they struggle to survive while unveiling the dark truth about their history.

Attack on Titan captures the Gen Z generation’s essence, with its portrayal of themes like the cycle of violence, freedom, and morality. Gen Z viewers find the intense anime intriguing, not only for its compelling story and visuals, but also for its many tough ethical dilemmas. Attack on Titan is capable of holding the often rapidly shifting attention span of its Gen Z viewers through its unpredictability, intense philosophical depth, and complex plot. The anime’s boldness often provokes conversations about justice, sacrifice, and freedom, and has led it to stand strong as a defining anime for the generation.

3

‘Sex Education’ (2019–2022)

Created by Laurie Nunn

This British comedy-drama show is bold and raw in its portrayal of sexual identity, particularly among young adults. Sex Education centers around a socially awkward teen, Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), who follows in his mother’s footsteps as a sex therapist, opening an underground clinic at his school and welcoming his fellow schoolmates with much-needed advice on their personal lives.

Sex Education truly captures the spirit of Gen Z as it reflects openness and an advocacy of inclusive conversations. The show explores topics of mental health, sexuality, and most of all, consent. The show approaches taboo topics that resonate well with its Gen Z viewers. With the show’s diverse representation and exploration of human relationships, Sex Education does a good job of portraying the complexities of growing up in the modern world, where emotional well-being and personal identity stand at the forefront. For all its impeccable qualities, Sex Education’s representation and authenticity that Gen Z highly values secure its place on this list of the best of the generation’s TV shows.

2

‘Heartstopper’ (2022–)

Created by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper is a hopelessly romantic watch filled with tons of wholesome moments. The series features the blossoming high school romance between two boys, the openly gay Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), and the newly awakened Nick Nelson (Kit Connor).

The tenderness within Heartstopper is enough to appeal to any viewer old enough to understand its themes. The series mirrors Gen Z’s progressive values, as it delivers on the importance of acceptance, self-discovery, and LGBTQ+ themes. Heartstopper is especially loved by the Gen Z generation for its heartfelt storytelling and the raw emotions it portrays and evokes. The series is the optimistic view of the queer relationships that most of the Gen Z audience longs for, making the wholesome series not only hopelessly enticing, but one of Gen Z’s favorites.

Heartstopper

Release Date

April 22, 2022

Showrunner

Alice Oseman

1

‘Euphoria’ (2019–)

Created by Sam Levinson

This immensely popular series is a drama that features an unflinching look into modern adolescence. Euphoria follows a high school student fresh out of rehab, and still struggling with drug addiction and mental illness, Rue Bennett (Zendaya), as she navigates the messy rollercoaster that is teen life.

Euphoria is a raw teen drama that captures those who are mostly in the extremes of adolescence. The series resonates deeply with Gen Z audiences for its authenticity within its storytelling. With a focus on gender expression, identity, and sexuality, it mirrors quite a few topics that define the Gen Z generation. Euphoria acts as a glimpse into a world that displays the realness of growing up, and although dramatized, much of Gen Z’s audience feels relief at being seen. The series is beloved for its aesthetics and is appreciated for treating the problems of young adults with care and seriousness, marking it as number one among Gen Z’s best shows.

Euphoria

Release Date

June 16, 2019

Showrunner

Sam Levinson

NEXT: The Best Gen X Shows That Defined a Generation, Ranked