The new HBO drama Euphoria [1] is not your average teen drama. Although it depicts the typical teens-behaving-badly plots [2] that are a staple of teen soaps, the graphic and intense nature [3] of the series can easily catch viewers off guard [4]. It's a gritty, edgy depiction of the awkwardness and, sometimes, downright horror of growing up. Although there aren't many shows that go as far as Euphoria [5], there are plenty of shows and movies that tackle similar issues of sexuality, violence, bullying, and the complicated feelings of teenage-dom. Whether you're looking for a soapy, twisty drama or something a little bit lighter, we've got you covered. Check out 11 of the best recommendations for similar programming!
13 Reasons Why
Netflix's controversial teen drama deals with many of the same themes as Euphoria [6], tackling the dark side of teenage life, from sex and assault to violence and more.
Watch 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. [7]
Elite
In the edgy Spanish import, a group of working-class teens enrol in a private school, and the class conflict goes from typical teen rivalries to all-out murder.
Watch Elite on Netflix. [8]
Everything Sucks!
For unfiltered teenage shenanigans without the dark-and-twisty drama, the short-lived dramedy Everything Sucks! is a great fit, following a feuding pair of high school clubs.
Watch Everything Sucks on Netflix. [9]
Gossip Girl
Euphoria [10] is full of teens behaving badly, and although Gossip Girl [11] — as a broadcast network show — couldn't be as explicit, it's as darkly dramatic and hedonistic in showing the exploits of a bunch of uber-rich New York teens and young adults.
Watch Gossip Girl on Netflix. [12]
On My Block
On My Block deals with the tough issues, but in a different way. Where Euphoria [13] tells the story of self-destructive, insecure teens, this series tackles the idea of growing up where you always have to be looking over your shoulder and violence can lurk in shocking ways.
Watch On My Block on Netflix. [14]
Pretty Little Liars
For badly behaved, hyperdramatic teenage drama, look no further than Pretty Little Liars [15]. The drama kicks off with an apparent murder, stalking, and a teacher-student romance, and it just gets crazier from there.
Watch Pretty Little Liars on Netflix. [16]
Riverdale
A few years ago, no one would have ever put the words "edgy" and "Archie Comics" in the same sentence. But since Riverdale [17] debuted, it's turned the "wholesome" nostalgia of Archie into a twisty, dark drama packed with sex, conspiracy, and betrayals.
Watch Riverdale on Netflix. [18]
Skins
It's the original gritty teen drama. The British import follows the sometimes heartfelt, sometimes edgy exploits of a group of teens struggling to figure out the whole growing-up thing.
Watch Skins on Netflix. [19]
The Society
The Netflix original proposes a world where adults vanish, leaving teenagers to live out their lives like no one's watching. Things take a turn for the dark pretty quickly, much like Euphoria [20]'s unsupervised, hard-living teens.
Watch The Society on Netflix. [21]
The Vampire Diaries
Like your twisty teen dramas with a side of the supernatural? The Vampire Diaries combines all the tropes of hard-partying teens with a hefty dose of vampire/werewolf/witch mythology.
Watch The Vampire Diaries on Netflix. [22]