10 Best Teen Romance Shows to Watch Right Now
Finding a teen romance show that gives you butterflies without making you work through a dozen episodes first can be oddly difficult. This list brings together ten series with strong first-love stories, from gentle friendship-to-romance arcs to sunlit love triangles and school romances complicated by secrets, distance or expectations.
Teen love stories are rarely only about the couple. They are also about the friends who notice what is happening before the people involved do, the families that shape what feels possible and the growing sense that attraction does not automatically tell you who you are. The best teen romance shows let the characters make mistakes, communicate badly and change their minds. That gives the happy moments something to push against.
I have ranked these series by chemistry, emotional honesty, memorable characters and how well the romance shares space with the rest of the story. Expect Netflix teen romance, young-adult adaptations, international series and one holiday love story built around a notebook. If you are searching for what to watch tonight, there is a pick here for a soft, hopeful mood and another for a more complicated binge. Streaming availability changes by country, so confirm each title locally; Netflix’s teen TV guide is a useful place to start for several of these series.
The countdown runs from fun and charming to the show I would most readily recommend to a friend who wants romance with real feeling. Keep the snacks nearby. A fictional misunderstanding can be resolved in a single conversation, but television has never been especially interested in doing that quickly.
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For a broader list, read The 10 Best Teen Romance TV Shows Ever Made, Ranked. You can also listen to That Love Podcast episodes for original romantic audio dramas and comedies.
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10. Dash & Lily
Dash & Lily is a holiday romance with an appealingly low-tech engine: two teenagers begin leaving each other challenges in a notebook hidden around New York City. Dash is cynical about the season and Lily is more openly enthusiastic, but their written exchanges slowly make each of them curious about the person on the other side of the page. Austin Abrams and Midori Francis bring contrasting energies to a story that has the city itself as a third lead. The result feels festive without requiring you to own a reindeer sweater.
The notebook challenges give the show a playful structure, sending the characters through bookstores, familiar streets and seasonal landmarks. Their connection grows through imagination before it becomes a conventional face-to-face romance, so the series has a sweet sense of anticipation. It also lets both leads reveal more than they would in a first conversation. The holiday setting is a big part of the charm, although the emotional theme is broader: loneliness can exist even in a crowded city, and a small act of curiosity can make a stranger feel less distant.
This is tenth because its seasonal mood makes it a slightly narrower recommendation than the shows above, not because the romance lacks charm. It is ideal for December viewing, fans of epistolary love stories and anyone seeking a short, cosy Netflix binge. Where to watch: Netflix in many territories; check local availability.
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9. Chastity High
Chastity High takes a heightened school rule and turns it into a teen romance engine. At a Japanese high school where romantic relationships are forbidden, students are pressured to hide their feelings and navigate the consequences when the rules collide with real life. The series follows young people whose friendships and crushes become acts of quiet rebellion, creating a romantic drama with a brisk, stylized tone. Its premise is intentionally dramatic, so it plays more like a heightened young-adult soap than a realistic study of school policy.
The fun lies in watching characters decide what is worth risking. When romance is policed, even an ordinary crush can feel like a grand gesture, and the school’s rules give the ensemble a shared problem to push against. The Japanese setting and cast make it a welcome alternative to the familiar American high-school template. It also understands the pleasure of romantic secrets: exchanged looks, near discoveries and the hope that someone else feels the same way.
Chastity High ranks ninth because its world is more melodramatic than some picks here, but the central idea is immediately clickable and the cast brings energy to it. It is for viewers who enjoy forbidden-love plots, school ensembles and international teen series. Where to watch: Netflix in selected territories; check your regional catalogue and subtitle options.
8. Love, Victor
Love, Victor follows Victor Salazar as he starts over at a new high school and tries to understand what he wants from love, identity and belonging. A move to Creekwood brings new friends and a growing connection with Benji, but Victor’s path is not a copy of someone else’s coming-out story. He is navigating his family’s expectations, a new community and the pressure to tell people things before he is ready. Michael Cimino gives Victor a thoughtful, approachable centre.
The show’s romance works best when it lets awkwardness remain awkward. Victor is not always certain, and the people around him have their own feelings, which gives his choices real consequences. The Creekwood setting links the series to Love, Simon, but the television format gives friendships and family relationships time to develop. It is also interested in how a supportive person can help without making someone else’s decisions for them.
At number eight, Love, Victor is a warm coming-of-age romance for viewers who want a longer character journey and an ensemble around the central couple. Its streaming home has changed across territories, so check the current platform and rating where you live. Where to watch: Disney+ in some regions, Hulu in the US, and other licensed services depending on country.
7. XO, Kitty
Kitty Song Covey has always been sure she understands love, especially when she is arranging it for other people. In XO, Kitty, she moves to Seoul for school and discovers that her own romantic life is far less easy to organize. The series follows her as she makes new friends, uncovers family history and gets swept into complicated feelings at the Korean Independent School of Seoul. Anna Cathcart gives Kitty a lively, expressive presence that makes her enthusiasm part of the joke and part of the story’s heart.
The international-school setting adds colour and cultural specificity, while the romance borrows the playful misunderstandings and emotional cliffhangers associated with teen soaps and K-dramas. Kitty is impulsive, but her confidence is not treated as proof that she already knows herself. The show gives her space to be surprised by what she wants. It also extends the To All the Boys universe without requiring the older films to carry every scene.
This lands at seven because it is more of a romantic ensemble comedy than a focused love story, yet that very bustle makes it a cheerful binge. It suits fans of school romances, love triangles and Netflix spin-offs with a bright soundtrack. Where to watch: Netflix; check availability in your country.
6. Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever follows Devi Vishwakumar as she attempts to improve her social life after grief and family upheaval leave her desperate for a fresh start. Romance is a major part of her plan, but the show knows that a crush cannot repair everything. Devi’s friendships with Eleanor and Fabiola, her relationship with her mother Nalini and her memories of her father give the series a much richer foundation than a simple competition between boys. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan makes Devi’s impulsive decisions both funny and painfully recognizable.
The show’s best romantic moments work because they are wrapped in a larger story of a teenager learning to sit with emotions she would rather outrun. Its voice-over, delivered by John McEnroe, gives the comedy an unusual rhythm, while the ensemble keeps each episode lively. Devi’s romantic choices are messy, sometimes spectacularly so, but the series lets her grow without pretending that one apology fixes every hurt.
At number six, this is a great pick if you want romance, comedy and family drama in equal measure. It is a warm Netflix binge and an especially strong recommendation for viewers who enjoy flawed, energetic leads. Where to watch: Netflix in many territories; check your local catalogue.
You’ll also love 10 Best Feel-Good Shows to Binge Watch This Summer for more gentle, rewatchable television.
5. My Life with the Walter Boys
My Life with the Walter Boys puts Jackie Howard in the middle of a new family, a new school and a complicated set of feelings she did not plan to have. After a devastating loss, Jackie moves from New York to Colorado to live with the Walter family. The brothers are a noisy, affectionate presence, but two of them—Cole and Alex—become especially important to her. Nikki Rodriguez plays Jackie with a reserve that gradually gives way to more confidence as she builds a life outside the one she expected.
The romance is a familiar love-triangle shape, and the show knows the audience will have opinions about which brother makes the better match. But the larger appeal is the found-family setup. The Walter home feels busy and lived in, and Jackie's relationships with the siblings give the series room to explore belonging beyond a romantic choice. The Colorado landscape also gives the show an appealing distance from polished city-school dramas.
This ranks fifth because it delivers exactly the kind of heartfelt, bingeable teen romance its premise promises, while its family ensemble gives it staying power. Choose it for a cosy young-adult drama with strong romantic tension and a new-home story. Where to watch: Netflix in many regions; check your local catalogue.
4. Young Royals
Young Royals brings the pressure of royal duty into a boarding-school romance without forgetting that both boys at its centre are teenagers. Prince Wilhelm arrives at Hillerska after a public scandal and grows close to Simon, a student whose family and social position differ sharply from his. Their attraction develops alongside questions of privacy, class and what it means to be expected to represent an institution. Edvin Ryding and Omar Rudberg build a believable connection through glances and silences as much as declarations.
The show has a measured style that suits its characters. It gives Wilhelm room to be uncertain rather than treating a royal title as shorthand for confidence, and it lets Simon keep his own boundaries and ambitions. Their romance is never free from external pressure, but the series avoids reducing Simon to a secret love interest waiting for the prince to make a decision. The Swedish setting and intimate cinematography make the emotional stakes feel personal.
At number four, Young Royals is a thoughtful, aching teen romance for viewers who like love stories with social pressure and real consequences. It is more intense than Heartstopper and less breezy than XO, Kitty, so match it to the mood you want. Where to watch: Netflix; subtitles and local availability may vary.
🎧 Taking a break from the screen? Listen to original romance and drama stories from That Love Podcast. Explore the latest episodes.
3. Forever
Forever is a contemporary adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel about two Black teenagers in Los Angeles who fall in love while working out what that relationship means to them. Keisha Clark and Justin Edwards reconnect, then discover that attraction is only one part of building something together. The Netflix drama centres their first love while making space for family expectations, ambition, friendship and the different ways young people imagine adulthood. Its modern setting gives a familiar coming-of-age story room to speak to a new generation.
The series is most compelling when it lets the leads feel like whole people outside the romance. Their families have histories and hopes of their own, and those relationships shape the choices Keisha and Justin make. The Los Angeles setting helps the show avoid a generic high-school backdrop, while the central performances bring sincerity to the awkward, exciting business of learning what you want and how to communicate it. It treats intimacy with care rather than turning first love into a simple fairytale.
Forever earns third place for offering a tender, modern teen love story grounded in family and self-discovery. It is a good choice for viewers who want a sincere Netflix romance and a coming-of-age drama with a contemporary Black perspective. Where to watch: Netflix in many territories; confirm local listing.
2. The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty turns one recurring beach holiday into a story about how friendships and crushes change as people grow up. Belly Conklin returns to Cousins Beach and finds herself caught between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, while the families around them share years of affection and complicated history. Based on Jenny Han’s novels, the series uses a summer setting to make each choice feel temporary and enormous at once. Lola Tung’s performance gives Belly room to be hopeful, indecisive and occasionally maddening in a recognizably teenage way.
The romance is a love triangle, but the show’s atmosphere is its secret weapon. The soundtrack, shoreline and summer-house traditions make the story feel like a memory forming while you watch. Family relationships give the romantic choices more weight, and the emotional tone can move from sparkling to melancholy in a single episode. That mix is why fans debate the brothers so passionately: the series makes timing and history part of attraction.
At number two, this is the best choice for a big, wistful summer romance binge. Viewers who want direct communication may find the love triangle frustrating, but viewers who enjoy yearning, nostalgia and family bonds will find plenty to love. Where to watch: Prime Video in available territories; check your regional listing.
🎧 Before our No. 1 pick, discover original romantic audio dramas from That Love Podcast. Listen here.
1. Heartstopper
Heartstopper takes first place because its central romance is gentle, moving and grounded in the small choices that make someone feel safe. Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson start as school friends, but their connection grows into something neither can quite ignore. Charlie is openly gay and has experienced bullying; Nick is a popular rugby player who is learning how to name his feelings. Alice Oseman’s series, adapted from her graphic novels, follows them alongside a wider circle of friends whose own relationships and identities matter.
Kit Connor and Joe Locke have beautifully calibrated chemistry. The show understands that first love is often about the quiet moments before a declaration: walking home together, sending a message, worrying about how a friend will react. Its pastel colours and hand-drawn visual touches express the rush of emotion without making the characters’ challenges disappear. Heartstopper treats support as something people practise, and it allows friendship to be as central as romance.
This is my top teen romance show because it combines sweetness with emotional honesty and gives its characters a hopeful place to grow. It is the first recommendation for viewers who want a sincere LGBTQ+ love story, a comforting coming-of-age series or an easy weekend binge. Netflix’s official Heartstopper page has its current listing. Where to watch: Netflix.
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How to Pick a Teen Romance for Your Mood
A good starting point is deciding whether you want comfort or conflict. Heartstopper is the gentlest place to land when you want a hopeful friendship-to-romance story. Young Royals brings more pressure and emotional tension, while The Summer I Turned Pretty is designed around yearning, family history and a love triangle that invites strong opinions. None is automatically the best choice for everyone; the best one is the show whose tone fits the evening you actually have.
If you love big ensembles, look at XO, Kitty, Never Have I Ever or My Life with the Walter Boys. Their romances grow alongside school friendships and family relationships, which makes the worlds feel fuller than a sequence of dates. Dash & Lily is better when you want a short seasonal escape, and Love, Victor is a thoughtful option when you want to follow one character’s identity and relationships over a longer arc.
Romantic chemistry matters, but the most satisfying teen love stories let both characters have boundaries, hopes and separate lives. Notice whether the couple can talk honestly, whether friends are allowed to matter, and whether a breakup or mistake changes something. Those details make a romance feel earned. A dramatic misunderstanding can be entertaining, but if every conflict could end with one text message, the show may be leaning on delay rather than development.
For viewers choosing a show with a younger teen, check the platform’s age rating and content notes first. The entries vary in how directly they handle sex, anxiety, family conflict and identity. Heartstopper is lighter in tone than several of the others, while some series blend romance with darker drama. A quick rating check helps everyone know what sort of watch they are choosing.
Streaming availability is another practical part of the choice. Netflix and Prime Video catalogues vary by country, and Love, Victor has had different regional homes. Search the title in your own service before planning a shared watch night. If the show is not available, use the mood and themes here to find a similar series that is currently included in a subscription you already have.
Conclusion
Teen romance can be sweet without being shallow, and the best shows on this list understand that falling for someone is also a way of learning about yourself. Dash & Lily is a seasonal notebook fantasy; Never Have I Ever makes first love part of a funny, generous family story; Young Royals adds pressure and vulnerability; The Summer I Turned Pretty is built for yearning. Heartstopper wins because it balances a tender romance with a whole supportive community and gives the characters room to grow.
Pick the show that matches your mood: a cosy holiday binge, a sunlit love triangle, a royal-school slow burn or a gentler friendship-to-romance story. Availability differs by country, so check the current platform listing before you plan a watch night. I would love to know which couple you rooted for most, and which series should have made the top three. Tell us how you would rank these teen romance shows.
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10 FAQs About Teen Romance Shows
1. What is the best teen romance show?
Heartstopper is my top recommendation for its gentle pacing, convincing chemistry and thoughtful LGBTQ+ coming-of-age story. If you prefer a more complicated romance, try Young Royals; for a nostalgic love triangle, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a natural choice. The best option depends on whether you want an optimistic comfort watch, an emotionally intense slow burn or a sunlit summer drama.
2. Which teen romance show should I watch tonight?
For a cosy, funny romance, choose Dash & Lily. Heartstopper suits a hopeful mood, while Young Royals is more emotionally intense. If you want a long weekend binge with a love triangle and a strong family setting, try The Summer I Turned Pretty or My Life with the Walter Boys. Check each show’s local streaming service and age rating before you press play.
3. What is the best teen romance show on Netflix?
Heartstopper is the strongest all-round Netflix teen romance pick on this list, while XO, Kitty is lighter and more playful. Young Royals brings a more serious boarding-school relationship, and Never Have I Ever balances romance with comedy and grief. Netflix’s catalogue differs by country, so use your regional service search to confirm that the title and all seasons are available.
4. Which series has the sweetest first-love story?
Heartstopper is the gentlest first-love story here, following Nick and Charlie from tentative friendship to a supportive relationship. Dash & Lily is also very sweet, though its notebook challenges give it a more whimsical holiday tone. If you want a softer romance but more family drama, consider Never Have I Ever, which lets the lead’s relationships develop alongside friendships and grief.
5. Which teen romance is best for binge-watching?
The Summer I Turned Pretty is ideal for a romantic binge because its seasonal setting, family dynamics and central love triangle create momentum. XO, Kitty is a fast, colourful watch, while Never Have I Ever moves briskly between comedy and heartfelt moments. Heartstopper is a shorter, more comforting option. Season counts and availability vary, so check the local catalogue first.
6. Are these teen romance shows LGBTQ+ inclusive?
Yes. Heartstopper centres a relationship between two boys and gives the wider friend group meaningful identity and relationship stories. Young Royals follows a romance between a prince and a fellow student while exploring public scrutiny and class. Other shows have LGBTQ+ characters and storylines too, but the degree of focus differs. Check individual content notes for details and age guidance.
7. Where can I stream these teen romance series?
Heartstopper, Young Royals, XO, Kitty, Never Have I Ever and several other entries have Netflix as a streaming home in many territories. The Summer I Turned Pretty is associated with Prime Video, while Love, Victor has had different homes in different regions. Rights shift, so verify the title’s current service where you live rather than relying on an old list.
8. What should I watch after The Summer I Turned Pretty?
Try My Life with the Walter Boys if you want another family-centred love triangle. Young Royals has more emotional intensity and a boarding-school setting, while XO, Kitty brings a breezier international-school romance. Heartstopper is the best choice if you want to move from yearning toward a kinder, more optimistic love story.
9. Are teen romance shows only for teenagers?
No. These series focus on young characters, but their themes—first love, friendship, family pressure, identity and learning to communicate—can resonate with adults too. The tone ranges from gentle and nostalgic to more mature or emotionally intense. Viewer suitability depends on the specific show, so check age ratings and content warnings if you are watching with a younger teen.
10. What makes a teen romance series worth watching?
Chemistry matters, but the relationship also needs to change the characters in believable ways. Strong teen romances give both people goals and boundaries, let friendships matter and avoid making every conflict depend on a misunderstanding. Setting and tone help too: a beach summer, a boarding school or a city at Christmas can make the story memorable, provided the characters still feel like people.
More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows
For more reviews, trailers, cast information and entertainment recommendations, explore ScreenRant, CBR, Collider, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, MovieWeb, SlashFilm and ComicBook.com.
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