For those who think high school is just cafeteria drama and pop quizzes, these television shows prove them wrong. For teen sleuths, every hallway hides a secret, and every friend could be a suspect of something sinister. Whether viewers are obsessed with the mystery or the teen genre on TV, these shows throw into the mix twisty secrets, sass, and plenty of jaw-dropping reveals with unforgettable results.
From Riverdale to Dark, these series don’t just keep audiences guessing; they turn every episode into an intriguing game of whodunit, making for the perfect picks for those who love decoding clues and trying to outsmart the plot. Here are the best teen mystery shows.
10
‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)
Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Taking the world of Archie Comics and plunging it into a noir-inspired teen mystery, Riverdale follows a group of high school friends as they navigate love, loyalty, and the shadowy secrets lurking beneath their town’s picture-perfect surface.
Despite its strong start, Riverdale fell a bit short of viewers’ expectations down the road. Nevertheless, the visually striking, retro-modern series charms audiences with its surreal atmosphere, 80s-inspired lighting, and meditation on identity, morality, and the loss of innocence. Beneath its melodrama, the CW TV series offers an intriguing exploration of the darkness that can lurk in the most unexpected places, and how young people confront and challenge that same darkness. Like it or not, its impact on Gen Z pop culture has made it a touchstone in the genre, redefining what it can be these days.
9
‘The Society’ (2019)
Created by Christopher Keyser
Following a group of Connecticut teens as they return from a school trip to find their own town deserted and every adult vanished, The Society illustrates how fast a party can devolve into a struggle for survival, with the teenagers at its center having to build their own rules, ration resources, and confront the darker corners of the human psyche and nature.
Despite its short run, The Society delivers strong performances across the ensemble, with Kathryn Newton as Allie and Rachel Keller as Cassandra standing out from the bunch. However, what anchors the series is the mystery it delivers, with an intriguing focus on what happens when the next generation is handed the keys to civilization instead of solely exploring the mechanics around it.
8
‘Outer Banks’ (2020–)
Created by Shannon Burke, Jonas Pate, and Josh Pate
Surf and beach lovers are probably familiar with this high-octane, sun-soaked teen mystery set against the class-divided shores of North Carolina. Outer Banks follows John B (Chase Stokes) and his loyal crew on a quest to uncover the truth behind John B’s missing father and a legendary treasure tied to his disappearance.
Beneath all the exciting adventure, Outer Banks delivers an intriguing class conflict that fuels its narrative and adds a fresh thrill. At its core, the series is about the cost of chasing one’s dreams when the odds are stacked against you, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and economic inequality while also nodding to the freedom of youth, even if that means acting as amateur detectives, piecing together clues and deciphering maps.
Outer Banks
- Release Date
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April 15, 2020
- Showrunner
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Jonas Pate
- Directors
-
Jonas Pate
- Writers
-
Josh Pate
7
‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ (2018–2020)
Created by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Re-imagining the classic teen witch as a Gothic and feminist hero, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa‘s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina chronicles the titular character (Kiernan Shipka), half-mortal and half-witch, as she navigates the crossroads of adolescence and occult tradition. Sabrina’s journey is as much about solving the mysteries of her lineage and the machinations of the Dark Lord as it is about challenging unjust traditions and self-discovery.
For those who value beautiful, dark academia-inspired aesthetics to immerse viewers in the narrative, the striking Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is the kind of watch they’d want to check out next (especially as fall approaches). Shipka leads a strong ensemble in this sharp exploration of power, resistance, and the cost of forging your own path as Sabrina is repeatedly placed in detective mode, unraveling conspiracies and uncovering dark truths.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
- Release Date
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2018 – 2020-00-00
- Showrunner
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Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
- Directors
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Rob Seidenglanz, Alex Pillai, Kevin Rodney Sullivan
6
‘Adolescence’ (2025)
Created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne
This searing British psychological crime drama thrusts the audience into the aftermath of a shocking murder. The story follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller’s (Owen Cooper in a fantastic debut performance) arrest for supposedly stabbing a female classmate. What makes the series particularly interesting is how it unfolds in real time, with each episode flawlessly filmed in a single and continuous take.
Adolescence is an urgent show that demands to be watched despite being an uncomfortable viewing. By tackling universal themes such as toxic masculinity, online radicalization, and the mental health struggles of young people, the must-see drama miniseries provides food for thought while keeping audiences invested in its mystery storytelling. It is fair to say that the series rises above its procedural surface, delivering a devastating meditation on the vulnerabilities of young people and setting a new standard for this intriguing genre.
Adolescence
- Release Date
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March 13, 2025
- Network
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Netflix
5
‘Yellowjackets’ (2021–)
Created by Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson
The perfect pick for those into genre-blending thrillers that weave survival horror with psychological drama and mystery, Yellowjackets unfolds across two timelines: in 1996, a high school girls’ soccer team survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. 25 years later, the adult survivors are haunted by the secrets of what really happened during those arduous days.
Yellowjackets is an unsettling teen mystery that sheds a captivating light on trauma and the loss of innocence, with the cast delivering standout performances. On top of that, the direction leans into both horror and the surreal, so it’s no surprise that it has been compared to other series such as Lost and Twin Peaks (the creators have cited David Lynch as an inspiration). No doubt, this currently streaming series has made a significant impact on culture and the genre, earning not only a devoted fan base but also critical acclaim.
Yellowjackets
- Release Date
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November 14, 2021
- Network
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Showtime, Paramount+ with Showtime
4
‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010–2017)
Created by I. Marlene King
This quintessential teen drama series is set in the idyllic town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, and focuses on four high school friends—Aria (Lucy Hale), Hanna (Ashley Benson), Spencer (Troian Bellisario), and Emily (Shay Mitchell)—whose lives take a wild turn after their charming but manipulative friend vanishes. The girls are tormented by cryptic messages from the anonymous “A,” who threatens to expose their dark secrets.
It’s not surprising that it has become such a rewatchable fan-favorite—the series unfolds, Pretty Little Liars illustrates the friends as they navigate tangled relationships, family drama, and a growing web of lies that pulls audiences in, all while trying to unmask their tormentor. In the 2010 show, each episode is packed with jaw-dropping twists and cliffhangers to keep viewers guessing who “A” really is.
Pretty Little Liars
- Release Date
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2010 – 2016
- Network
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ABC, Freeform
- Showrunner
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Ina Marlene King
- Writers
-
Ina Marlene King
3
‘Wednesday’ (2022–)
Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
Featuring Jenna Ortega in a now iconic role, Wednesday is a captivating Tim Burton-directed take on the classic Addams Family character. It is set against the backdrop of Nevermore Academy and follows the titular character as she attempts to solve a series of murders and uncover bizarre supernatural secrets lurking within the school’s halls.
Those intrigued by macabre humor and moody whodunits will probably love Wednesday (if they haven’t seen it already). The series is not only highly entertaining narratively, with its mystery keeping viewers interested throughout as its lead glues the pieces together, but it’s also a visual feast; the stylistic triumph in the Gothic genre creates a world that is as eerie as it is captivating, with a strong lead performance that perfectly anchors the series and elevates it to higher levels.
Wednesday
- Release Date
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November 23, 2022
- Network
-
Netflix
2
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese
This mind-bending German thriller astounds audiences with its take on the mystery and small-town genres. The show illustrates a time-travel puzzle set in the small town of Winden, where the disappearance of two young children triggers an investigation that unravels generations of secrets and family ties.
Dark fascinates on several fronts, ranging from moody cinematography to fantastic performances. That said, its most captivating element is the mystery storytelling and how it fully demands viewers’ attention. Even though it can be challenging and dense, Dark is filled with rewarding, philosophical questions, making for a genuinely fun time in front of the screen for youngsters and adults. It has redefined what the teen mystery genre can look like, proving that it can be just as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant.
Dark
- Release Date
-
2017 – 2020-00-00
- Network
-
Netflix
1
‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)
Created by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer
Catapulting the genre into its nostalgic and undeniably cool 1980s setting, this Netflix fan favorite has understandably become a cultural phenomenon. The story centers on a group of kids in all kinds of Indiana after the disappearance of their friend, which leads them into a government conspiracy and an alternate dimension.
Tackling themes of friendship and loyalty with profoundly moving writing, Stranger Things has become one of the most-watched Netflix shows, and it’s not hard to understand why. By brilliantly throwing the coming-of-age genre and sci-fi into the mix, this love letter to 1980s pop culture delivers a genuinely absorbing mystery narrative that keeps viewers eagerly unraveling the mystery at the same time as the protagonists try to uncover the secrets behind the Upside Down.
