25 shows to watch with your teen on Netflix Canada

Spending quality time with your teenager can sometimes feel like an elusive dream—rare and fleeting. However, these shows on Netflix Canada will have both of your butts glued to the couch, side-by-side. You’re welcome.

Note: Most of these series target important (sometimes serious) issues, which provides great opportunities for discussion.

1. Atypical

This heartfelt comedy centres around Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, who sets out on a personal mission of independence to find a girlfriend.

2. Degrassi: Next Class

Degrassi High is still going strong. Next Class is filled with students navigating their school lives, filled with drama, body issues, heartbreak and other typical teenage roadblocks.

3. Stranger Things

Twelve-year-old Will goes missing one night, leaving his mom and his friends to search for answers. Plus there's a strange new girl in town with a shaved head and a bloody nose. Fighting against supernatural forces and secret experiments, will they ever find their friend?

4. Gilmore Girls

Lorelai Gilmore is a single mom who serves as a best friend and role model to her daughter, Rory, who is the only other person who shares her wit. Through countless coming-of-age events, Rory and her mom display an unbreakable bond.

5. Lost in Space

This modern take on the sci-fi classic from the 1960s follows the Robinson family after they crash land on an alien planet and discover its features through dangerous traps and scrapes.

6. On My Block

Smart and quirky teens endure life in South Central L.A. with support from their loving friends. Together they help each other through life’s challenges, dealing with topics such as gang activity, violence, sex, drinking and smoking.

7. Queer Eye

The Fab Five are out to give folks a total life revamp. This entertaining and uplifting makeover series will have you and your teen laughing one minute then tearing up the next.

8. Dear White People

At a predominantly white Ivy League college, a diverse group of students are followed through real-life events regarding race, identity, sexuality and rivalries. The group is led by a female radio personality on campus, who is interested in addressing truthful, progressive messages on her show.

9. Alexa & Katie

Friendship really is the best medicine in this lighthearted, positive sitcom. Centred around two best friends beginning high school, one is battling cancer, and the other is right by her side through it all.

10. The Fosters

Follow the trials and triumphs of the teenagers living under the roof of wives Stef and Lena Adams Foster. This multiethnic blend of biological, adopted and foster kids presents a series of real scenarios and great topics for parents to discuss with their teens.

11. Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments

Clary Fray learns that she is part of a group of Shadowhunters who share the blood of angels and protect the human race. While the 18-year-old learns to battle in this new world, she also sets out on a personal quest to find her long-lost mother.

12. Greenhouse Academy

This series follows a brother-and-sister duo as they start a new journey at an established boarding school. Watch as they go through school romances, bullying and the mystery behind the recent passing of their mom.

13. A Series of Unfortunate Events

Three clever orphan siblings adventure to reveal their family’s secrets, while under the hapless supervision of evil Count Olaf. This dark and mysterious book adaptation will keep you and your teenager hooked.

14. Anne with an “E”

An abused orphan, Anne’s optimism is anything but dim. The young, passionate, impulsive girl discovers herself in a coming-of-age journey to find love and acceptance in the world around her.

15. Supergirl

In an attempt to avoid catastrophe, Kara Danvers embraces her powers as Supergirl, protector of National City. She is out to protect people and fight alongside her cousin, Superman (quite an unusual family business), making this a classic option for superhero lovers.

16. The 100

A century after the apocalypse, Earth is inspected by 100 space station residents, who are on assignment to figure out if the planet is still habitable.

17. Everything Sucks

High school misfits in the '90s navigate VHS controls and the woes of their youth while their parents finally discover their own happiness.

18. Once Upon a Time

When a young woman finds out she has a son she never knew about, she finds herself in a small town filled with fairy-tale characters who don't remember who they are.

19. All About the Washingtons

The father of this family doesn’t have a typical job—he's an iconic hip-hop personality. But as he ends his career and his wife begins hers, their parenting roles switch, and he is left to figure out how to run and balance the Washington household.

20. Free Rein

Fifteen-year-old Zoey lives in LA but spends her summer at her mother’s childhood home on an island off the coast of England. She unexpectedly bonds with a horse and opens up to things she’s never been exposed to.

21. One Day at a Time

Experience the struggles, laughs and emotions from the three generations living in this sweet Cuban-American household. A newly single mom does her best at raising her teen and tween, with her mom right by their side.

22. Kim’s Convenience

This show takes place in Toronto, where a Korean-Canadian family run a convenience store. Your teen will enjoy watching them work together, help their customers and adapt to the ever-changing world they live in.

23. Magic for Humans

Justin Willman, the star—er, magician—of this show, entertains people of all ages on the streets with unexplainable tricks and jokes. With only six episodes so far, you’ll be wishing for more.

24. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

A woman finds herself in New York City after being rescued from a doomsday cult. Watch as she is left to navigate in the world and the way it is today.

25. Black Lightning

A school principal lives a normal life with his beloved family, but when a gang threatens them, he finds himself back in the life he left behind as the legendary retired superhero Black Lightning.

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