The Best 2000s Teen Shows, Ranked
There's something undeniably nostalgic about the teen shows from the 2000s. The era gave us an exciting mix of relatable characters, high-stakes drama, and fresh storylines that kept us glued to our television screens. As a result, the shows we watched as teenagers during this time hold a special place in our hearts. In celebration of these iconic programs, we've curated a list of the best teen shows from the 2000s, determined by you, the fans.
Our ranked list includes classics like Gilmore Girls, with its rapid-fire dialogue and lovable mother-daughter duo; That '70s Show, which made us laugh with its period-appropriate humor and sitcom shenanigans; and One Tree Hill, which had us on the edge of our seats following the intertwined lives of two half-brothers. These shows captured our imaginations, provided a sense of camaraderie, and gave us some unforgettable moments that continue to be cherished by viewers today.
Now it's time for you to weigh in and help determine the ultimate ranking of these beloved series! Which show made you want to sneak out past curfew? Which one left you daydreaming about impossible love triangles? Scroll through our carefully selected list and cast your vote for your favorite teen shows from the 2000s – let's find out which one reigns supreme!
- 1Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy
- Premiered: October 5, 2000
Anyone who's been roped into binge-watching this witty, heartwarming series knows how addictive it can be. Centering around the quirky yet lovable relationship between a young single mother and her whip-smart teenage daughter, this show proved that smarts and sass go hand in hand. Set in the charming fictional town of Stars Hollow, viewers couldn't help but fall for the close-knit community and its eccentric residents as they navigated life, love, and family.
- 2Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Lenz, James Lafferty
- Premiered: September 23, 2003
Tugging at the heartstrings of teens everywhere, this popular drama followed the complicated lives of two estranged half-brothers with a shared passion: basketball. The small-town setting offered up its fair share of romance, suspense, tragedy, and triumphs for many seasons to come. Despite the swirl of controversy surrounding some characters' actions on- and off-screen, fans remained captivated through numerous twists and turns.
- 3Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley
- Premiered: September 19, 2007
Oh là là! This fashionable teen drama had audiences buzzing over its stylish cast and scandalous storylines right from the start. Chronicling the lives of privileged Manhattan prep-school students as they navigated an unforgiving social scene under the watchful eye of an anonymous blogger known only as Gossip Girl - no secret was safe from those prying keyboard strokes! Viewers couldn't get enough of the bickering, backstabbing, and beautiful people at the core of this guilty pleasure.
- 4Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher
- Premiered: August 23, 1998
Before becoming Hollywood A-listers, a group of fresh-faced stars made their mark on television with this sitcom set in the groovy era of disco balls and bell-bottom jeans. The show focused on a motley crew of high schoolers maneuvering through adolescence while dealing with all-too-familiar tropes like friendship squabbles, first loves, and confrontations with authority figures (usually parents). The brilliantly-executed blend of sincere moments and tongue-in-cheek humor made it an instant classic.
- 5Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev
- Premiered: September 10, 2009
Long before Edward Cullen stepped into the spotlight, a different set of fang-tastic characters dominated the supernatural teen drama scene. Centered around a girl unwittingly caught between two vampire brothers - one brooding and good-hearted, the other devious yet alluring - it successfully combined elements of romance, action, and horror that kept fans eager for more blood-sucking drama.
- 6Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick
- Premiered: September 20, 1996
Before Hogwarts was even a twinkle in J.K. Rowling's eye, this bewitching comedy captured viewers' hearts with its charming lead and her quirky supernatural support system (including an ever-sarcastic talking cat). Amidst spells gone awry and dealing with magical growing pains, there were plenty of real lessons that resonated with teens navigating high school life - minus the wand-waving.
