TV for young teens
May 30, 2021 2:50 PM Subscribe
What are the best current and past TV shows (drama, sitcoms, cartoons/animation, etc.) for a 13-year-old girl?
My soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter has been raised without TV in the house, although we do have access to Spectrum (basic cable as far as I know). She reads a lot (mostly graphic novels), has watched a lot of good quality movies, and also spends some time on social media (ugh).
I'm starting to feel a little guilty or regretful about possibly having deprived her of TV dramas, sitcoms, and cartoons/animation since I grew up watching and enjoying that kind of stuff, and there are probably things I learned from those shows too. The only TV shows I can think of that she's ever watched are Gilligan's Island and Get Smart.
Can you good folks recommend what might be some of the best current and past shows for us to look into watching? She's a well-adjusted kid with a lot of interests and can find a lot of different types of content interesting. We have access to Spectrum, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+, and could pay for other content providers if needed.
Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions.
My soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter has been raised without TV in the house, although we do have access to Spectrum (basic cable as far as I know). She reads a lot (mostly graphic novels), has watched a lot of good quality movies, and also spends some time on social media (ugh).
I'm starting to feel a little guilty or regretful about possibly having deprived her of TV dramas, sitcoms, and cartoons/animation since I grew up watching and enjoying that kind of stuff, and there are probably things I learned from those shows too. The only TV shows I can think of that she's ever watched are Gilligan's Island and Get Smart.
Can you good folks recommend what might be some of the best current and past shows for us to look into watching? She's a well-adjusted kid with a lot of interests and can find a lot of different types of content interesting. We have access to Spectrum, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+, and could pay for other content providers if needed.
Thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions.
My so-called life
posted by brujita at 3:08 PM on May 30, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by brujita at 3:08 PM on May 30, 2021 [7 favorites]
2nd for Gravity Falls. Both Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts and She-Ra are both exceedingly good (even for adults).
Hmm. 13 is right on the edge here, but Adventure Time is fantastic. If not now, soon.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:22 PM on May 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
Hmm. 13 is right on the edge here, but Adventure Time is fantastic. If not now, soon.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:22 PM on May 30, 2021 [6 favorites]
Response by poster: Just a supplemental note: I also wouldn't mind getting recommendations for shows that are typically thought of as most suitable for ages 9-12 if it's good stuff that she missed out on when she was younger and should watch. She's done that with graphic novels, reading both a bit below and a bit above her age level. Thanks!
posted by Dansaman at 3:30 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by Dansaman at 3:30 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. I think the first three seasons are on Netflix, also on Disney (Spectrum has that here). There have even been a couple movies, the second is currently airing on Disney. On the low end, it's TV-Y7 and monster of the day that always gets wrapped up by the end. Over the long run, it's a french high school 14/15 yr olds soap-opera / romance. It can be highly amusing. You just have to watch a couple or three before it starts getting good. Makes me wish I lived in Paris above a bakery across from Notre-Dame . It's a nice change from US/Asia animation location.
posted by zengargoyle at 3:38 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by zengargoyle at 3:38 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Netflix:
She-Ra is splendid. My family has also really enjoyed "The Dragon Prince."
I am a sucker for The Babysitters Club, that Netflix just revamped last year and it's so adorable and fun, but maybe more fun if you grew up reading them in their heyday.
The One Day at a Time revival, SO GOOD
There was a little bitty show called "The Letter for the King" that's a Netflix original and my family and I LOVED but not that many people have seen it so that might be too idiosyncratic
Movies:
Enola Holmes, which is based on a YA book series that gives Mycroft and Sherlock a little sister who also solves crime, was one of the most surprisingly enjoyable films of the year (Netflix)
Clueless is on Netflix right now, a true classic of the teen rom-com genre
To All the Boys I've Loved Before is charming and great (Netflix original)
Prime has a lot of BBC living history shows, which my kids are absolute suckers for. (things like living in a medieval castle or working on a Tudor farm or whatever.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:43 PM on May 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
She-Ra is splendid. My family has also really enjoyed "The Dragon Prince."
I am a sucker for The Babysitters Club, that Netflix just revamped last year and it's so adorable and fun, but maybe more fun if you grew up reading them in their heyday.
The One Day at a Time revival, SO GOOD
There was a little bitty show called "The Letter for the King" that's a Netflix original and my family and I LOVED but not that many people have seen it so that might be too idiosyncratic
Movies:
Enola Holmes, which is based on a YA book series that gives Mycroft and Sherlock a little sister who also solves crime, was one of the most surprisingly enjoyable films of the year (Netflix)
Clueless is on Netflix right now, a true classic of the teen rom-com genre
To All the Boys I've Loved Before is charming and great (Netflix original)
Prime has a lot of BBC living history shows, which my kids are absolute suckers for. (things like living in a medieval castle or working on a Tudor farm or whatever.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 3:43 PM on May 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
If she likes Gravity Falls and/or Adventure Time, I found Hilda to be similar (on Netflix).
posted by entropyiswinning at 3:44 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by entropyiswinning at 3:44 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
🎶The Simpons🎶
posted by General Malaise at 3:47 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by General Malaise at 3:47 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Avatar The Last Airbender (may skew younger than 13 but I’ve just watched it for the first time as an adult, and truly wish I watched it as a kid)
Teen Titans (no comment on the updated series Teen Titans Go!)
2nding Babysitters Club
sitcoms like Fresh Prince, Full House (can’t comment on the reboot), Growing Pains & even Saved By The Bell taught me a lot about the world and I think all influenced my teen hood in positive ways
posted by icy_latte at 4:07 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Teen Titans (no comment on the updated series Teen Titans Go!)
2nding Babysitters Club
sitcoms like Fresh Prince, Full House (can’t comment on the reboot), Growing Pains & even Saved By The Bell taught me a lot about the world and I think all influenced my teen hood in positive ways
posted by icy_latte at 4:07 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
I'd suggest telling her to ask her friends, or asking her what her friends watch.
Our kid had a really bewildering experience at one kid's tenth birthday party because she had absolutely no idea what The Voice is and all the other kids knew and that was what the 'game' revolved around and she just stood there 'wtf?'.
I also don't know whether it's even called the Voice. Maybe it's America's Most Talented or something. I am 95% sure it is not Who Wants to be a Billionaire.
Anyway, she's at a high pressure social point (so is mine, now) so she might be the best to ask for what she'd like to be exposed to, to match her friend's experiences.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:11 PM on May 30, 2021 [8 favorites]
Our kid had a really bewildering experience at one kid's tenth birthday party because she had absolutely no idea what The Voice is and all the other kids knew and that was what the 'game' revolved around and she just stood there 'wtf?'.
I also don't know whether it's even called the Voice. Maybe it's America's Most Talented or something. I am 95% sure it is not Who Wants to be a Billionaire.
Anyway, she's at a high pressure social point (so is mine, now) so she might be the best to ask for what she'd like to be exposed to, to match her friend's experiences.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:11 PM on May 30, 2021 [8 favorites]
So many great cartoons. Can't believe Steven Universe hasn't been mentioned yet.
posted by rikschell at 4:16 PM on May 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by rikschell at 4:16 PM on May 30, 2021 [4 favorites]
The Adventures of Pete & Pete is one of the only shows from when I was a kid that was not only any good to watch as an adult but even better than I remembered.
posted by Polycarp at 4:36 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Polycarp at 4:36 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Avatar the Last Airbender, She-Ra, and Steven Universe. All perfect for her age, wonderful for any age.
posted by gideonfrog at 4:38 PM on May 30, 2021
posted by gideonfrog at 4:38 PM on May 30, 2021
+1 to Avatar, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, The Dragon Prince, Teen Titans, Gravity Falls, and Kipo. (She-Ra and Hilda are both on my list.)
Without knowing her specific likes, shows I can think of with decently broad appeal:
The Owl House
Infinity Train
Trollhunters
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Gargoyles
Star Wars Rebels
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
posted by xenization at 4:43 PM on May 30, 2021
Without knowing her specific likes, shows I can think of with decently broad appeal:
The Owl House
Infinity Train
Trollhunters
Voltron: Legendary Defender
Gargoyles
Star Wars Rebels
Star vs. the Forces of Evil
posted by xenization at 4:43 PM on May 30, 2021
Definitely nthing She-ra and Avatar. My daughter (14) and her friends are crazy about the Promised Neverland also! At least some or them also really enjoyed the Good Place. My daughter doesn't watch a lot of TV but these were all hits for her.
posted by DTMFA at 5:03 PM on May 30, 2021
posted by DTMFA at 5:03 PM on May 30, 2021
And if she likes "Avatar The Last Airbender," the sequel series, "The Legend of Korra," is also great and even more teen-girl-friendly. (It also has at least three strong characters who are women in their 50s, which you don't see too often in teen-oriented animation.)
posted by lisa g at 5:56 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by lisa g at 5:56 PM on May 30, 2021 [1 favorite]
Gilmore Girls.
posted by metasarah at 6:01 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by metasarah at 6:01 PM on May 30, 2021 [2 favorites]
Doctor Who, maybe?
posted by freethefeet at 6:10 PM on May 30, 2021
posted by freethefeet at 6:10 PM on May 30, 2021
Nailed It, Sugar Rush, The Great British Baking Show
At least an episode or two of each.
posted by MadMadam at 6:22 PM on May 30, 2021
At least an episode or two of each.
posted by MadMadam at 6:22 PM on May 30, 2021
Promised Neverland might be a bit rough, kids are basically raised as cattle so alien overlords can eat their tasty brains. Pretty dark.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:06 PM on May 30, 2021
posted by zengargoyle at 7:06 PM on May 30, 2021
I don't know if you'd consider the 1980s Anne of Green Gables (with Megan Follows and the late Jonathan Crombie) a TV show or a three part movie, but it was formative for me. There are a lot of newer "reboots" including one on Netflix but IMO they lack the charm of the original.
(There are also two sequels, which are not great and in the case of the third film just plain bizarre. Just stick with the first.)
posted by basalganglia at 4:10 AM on May 31, 2021 [3 favorites]
(There are also two sequels, which are not great and in the case of the third film just plain bizarre. Just stick with the first.)
posted by basalganglia at 4:10 AM on May 31, 2021 [3 favorites]
The Wonder Years! Maybe it hasn't aged so well - I grew up watching reruns of it in the late 90s. I have very fond memories of it.
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:48 AM on May 31, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:48 AM on May 31, 2021 [1 favorite]
Oh, and Free Rein. It's available on Netflix in the US. It's set in the UK. It has ponies. It's wholesome, but I found it enjoyable to watch as an adult (albeit an adult who was a very horse crazy kid). The cast is more diverse than I remember some of these older tween shows being. I also like that it really centers female friendships.
Also 2nding Pete and Pete. She may also enjoy Clarissa Explains it All which is a similar vintage Nickelodeon show. It featured Melissa Joan Hart before she went off to Sabrina.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:27 AM on May 31, 2021
Also 2nding Pete and Pete. She may also enjoy Clarissa Explains it All which is a similar vintage Nickelodeon show. It featured Melissa Joan Hart before she went off to Sabrina.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:27 AM on May 31, 2021
My kids loved Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, Gravity Falls, Phineas and Ferb, Trollhunters, Just Add Magic, Great British Baking Show and any Pixar movie. We also just rewatched Rango as a family and even at ages 14 and 16 it was a hit for everyone. We are liking watching Northern Exposure together.
posted by victoriab at 9:58 AM on May 31, 2021
posted by victoriab at 9:58 AM on May 31, 2021
I 2nd the recommendation of The Good Place....my 14 absolutely loved it and actually really sad when we finished it.
posted by victoriab at 10:00 AM on May 31, 2021
posted by victoriab at 10:00 AM on May 31, 2021
My twelve year old has loved:
Freaks and Geeks (hulu)
Dash and Lily (netflix)
Babysitters Club (the new one, netflix)
Nailed It (netflix)
Great British Bake Off (netflix)
Home Economics (hulu)
Never Have I Ever (netflix)
She *did* like the recent reboot of Anne of Green Gables (Anne with an E) on netflix, even having read the books and seen some of the 80s show. But it's not for everyone I think.
She loved Moxie, to add a movie as well.
posted by gaspode at 7:43 AM on June 1, 2021
Freaks and Geeks (hulu)
Dash and Lily (netflix)
Babysitters Club (the new one, netflix)
Nailed It (netflix)
Great British Bake Off (netflix)
Home Economics (hulu)
Never Have I Ever (netflix)
She *did* like the recent reboot of Anne of Green Gables (Anne with an E) on netflix, even having read the books and seen some of the 80s show. But it's not for everyone I think.
She loved Moxie, to add a movie as well.
posted by gaspode at 7:43 AM on June 1, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by lisa g at 2:56 PM on May 30, 2021 [6 favorites]