From Skins To PEN15, Your Binge-Watching Guide To Growing Up

Let's face it: Growing up can be terrifying. Juggling physical and emotional stress, not to say seemingly world-ending social interactions, can make anyone freak out a little bit. Nevertheless it's fully usual. And luckily for teens navigating adulthood today, there really are much more astute resources obtainable at their fingertips than antiquated pamphlets about "adolescence."

No, these days, you've got a whole slew of shows to turn to for some assistance ordering going by means of the complex and confusing feelings that come with coming of age.

If growing up has you down, don't despair. These streaming picks all feature different ways to navigate everything that makes getting older both hard and exhilarating.

Zac & Mia

Best to watch if: You’re in a unfamiliar situation looking for companionship.

No matter how old you are, cancer is a devastating diagnosis. Zac & Mia tackles the infection through a teenage lens, following Zac Meier (Kian Lawley) and Mia Phillips (Anne Winters) as they navigate life and love in an oncology ward.

Mia is the popular girl in high school, and initially wants nothing to do with Zac, because the pair has little in normal. Nevertheless as they receive treatment for their respective illnesses, they soon find themselves growing with each other in ways they never would have expected, along with solace and comfort in one another.

It’s a tender reminder to give others a chance, because you don’t habitually know what they’re going through. You could also find friendship (or a lifelong love) any time while you least expect it.

Zac & Mia is now streaming on Hulu.

PEN15

Hulu

Best to watch if: You miss the awkwardness and simplicity of middle school.

Remember what middle school was really like? Teenage outcasts Maya (Maya Erskine) and Anna (Anna Konkle) are your average 13-year-olds exploring the depths of female sexuality and puberty in this hilarious streaming series.

From chatting on AIM to kissing practice with a bedpost, these females (played by their adult selves, certainly) navigate the gross, hilarious, and absolutely real moments of growing up that never get much time on other series. It’s one of the few series that gives plenty of screen time to young females who are only just learning about themselves and the world around them, without treating them like an afterthought.

PEN15 is now streaming on Hulu.

The Tribe<

Amazon

Best to watch if: You’re tired of adults screwing everything up.

The Tribe is an intriguing riff on the regular post-apocalyptic drama. It's as lengthy as it is elaborate, set in a global where all adults have been killed because the result of a deadly virus.

The teens left beyond must grow up fast, all while living in what is almost a state of complete anarchy. All the city-dwelling youth form their own tribes, with names like the Mall Rats and the Locos, sort in attempt to adapt to live without meddlesome adults getting in their way. Can they work with each other and create the framework of a functioning society?

With today's divided political climate and the uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus outbreak, it's easy to feel lost or without guidance, like you have got to take charge since the adults of the world seem to have lost the plot. The Tribe is a sprawling slice of empowerment that proves teens are the future — they just have to take control.

The Tribe is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Trinkets

Netflix

Best to watch if: You have a very small circle of companions with whom you share a bushel of secrets.

Trinkets follows Elodie (Brianna Hildebrand), Tabitha (Quintessa Swindell), and Moe (Kiana Madeira), three teenage Shoplifters Anonymous attendees. They're all insanely different from each other with varying backgrounds, however they have one thing in common: they're kleptomaniacs.

The show focuses on the unlikely trio's bond as they grow with each other as companions while leading totally separate lives in different social circles. Watching these unlikely friendships blossom is a rush, and it's relatable for that very reason, also. We’ve all made companions while hiding our truest selves, soon considering that. Seeing it play out on-screen is undeniably cathartic.

Trinkets is now streaming on Netflix.

Skins

Netflix

Best to watch if: You’re ready for serious storylines with hints of comedy.

The legendary British teen dramedy Skins is must-see TV if you're interested in hard-hitting issues and heavy topics. The series, which ran for six years, tackles issues like depression, PTSD, sexuality, gender, death, and bullying — all things that teens really go through.

While the show definitely revels in its more comedic moments, it also features some particularly real and raw storylines and isn't afraid to tread outdoor the lines of normal teen angst. Each episode follows a different character: Cassie (Hannah Murray) openly struggles with a consuming food disorder, while Katie (Megan Prescott) discovers she's unable to have children because of the onset of early menopause.

The characters are just memorable because the actors who portrayed them; Skins introduced us to future stars Nicholas Hoult and Daniel Kaluuya, who even contributed to the show a writer as soon as he was a teen, segment of the reason the show feels so painfully authentic.

Skins is now streaming on Netflix.

On My Block

Netflix

Best to watch if:You’re into watching a diverse categorize of companions navigate everyday struggles with a healthy dash of humor.

On My Block is a celebration of diversity. Set in South Central Los Angeles, it follows an audience of awkward high school students from different backgrounds as they get through adolescence the ideal way they know how: together.

The crew includes Cesar (Diego Tinoco), who runs with the local gang, the Santos; aspiring writer Monse (Sierra Capri); charming nevertheless chatty Ruby Martinez (Jason Genao); and dorky Jamal (Brett Gray). All have their own idiosyncrasies and endearing personalities, and what’s more, they feel like your real best friends.

Sure, On My Block filters everything through a comedic lens, however it's never afraid to get deep, whether they’re tackling gang violence in marginalized communities or losing a friend.

On My Block is now streaming on Netflix.

Big Mouth

Netflix

Best to watch if: You’re utterly confused about those weird urges you’ve been getting.

Big Mouth is as amusing as it is gross, examining at all of the bodily fluids, hormones, and urges that puberty are often bring. Case in point, hormones are some of its biggest stars, as it personifies them as hilarious monsters meant to guide the series leads Maury (Nick Kroll) and Andrew (John Mulaney) via choppy waters of young adulthood.

And there is lots to wade through. Big Mouth isn’t for the faint of heart. One character gets her first period, another voices concerns about accidentally "impregnating" a pillow. You’re supposed to laugh at these things, nevertheless there really are so several situations that you've likely also wondered about that you were also scared to vocalize.

It's weird, wild, and informative to boot. You just might need to rewatch several scenes to learn much since you'll be laughing your head off.

Big Mouth is now streaming on Netflix.

Sex Education

Netflix

Best to watch if:You’re not sure how to deal with parents who embarrass you.

Sex Education deals in the confusing, perplexing emotions that find themselves attached to the throes of physical passion and the inquiries surrounding it. It also happens to thoroughly explore having parents who just can't stop embarrassing you.

Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) has a well-known sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson). While Otis struggles with understanding and coming to terms with his sexual urges, his mother has a frankness about sexuality that often gets Otis into some confusing situations. Immediately after he inadvertently assists his high school bully with solving a nagging sexual allocate, although, he opens up a sex clinic with his classmate Maeve to tackle a host of similar problems.

That opens up the floor for candid discussions of teen relationships, sexual encounters, and a few scandalous side stories, all of which make this the ideal watch for anyone with hang-ups regarding their parents… and sex, of course.

Sex Education is now streaming on Netflix.

The End of the Fucking World

Netflix

Best to watch if: You’re not quite sure in case you love or hate your best friend.

Meet James (Alex Lawther). He's only 17, yet convinced he is a psychopath, seeing as he’s looking to kill his first human being. He settles on 17-year-old Alyssa (Jessica Barden), who’s far from an angel herself. While James is initially only interested in taking her life, he eventually finds himself confused as to whether he still wants to slay her or pursue a relationship.

The pair run away with each other on a trip during England and form a uneasy relationship that slowly blossoms into something serious. Maybe most of us haven't dated would-be serial killers, yet we can all relate to the uncertainty of a new relationship.

For anyone growing up as an outsider, this occasionally awkward adventure acts as a reminder that, no matter what you think, there’s someone out there who certainly wants to hang out with you.

The End of the Fucking World is now streaming on Netflix.

Still looking for some added shows to help facilitate your journey into adulthood? Already an adult, nevertheless just require a little bit help dealing with some added stress? Try binging some of the old standbys: Friday Night Lights, My So-Called Life, or perhaps Glee. You could routinely plan on teen TV to bring the drama and excitement.