The Best Shows On Netflix For Tweens

Previous generations of tweens have leaned heavily on books like The Giver and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series for relief from boredom. These and many other favorite books now have movies based on them because it's 2020, and well, the new breed of tweens like screens. Netflix, the beloved service that's accessed through our equally beloved devices worldwide knows tweens want content, and they are delivering the goods for ages 9 to 13.

According to Business of Apps, there were 167.1 million Netflix subscribers at the end of 2019. With all those subscribers, there are bound to be plenty of users in households ranging between little kid and teen. Luckily for them, Netflix knows what's up and is dishing out loads of titles for all ages. Though these recommendations are geared towards tweens, adults will likely love them, too.

The Healing Powers of Dude stars 11-year-old tween Noah. The character struggles with social anxiety, but is able to manage it with the help of his support dog Dude. The plot includes tween-centric themes about kindness, respect for emotional and physical struggles, and compromise. Each episode consists of Noah facing stressors that all tweens encounter and then overcoming his fears. Costume parties, bus rides, and school presentations can cause loads of worry for an 11 year-old, but thanks to the help of a dog named Dude, Noah gets through it all (via Rotten Tomatoes). The comedy series is streaming now and is sure to resonate with tweens (via Common Sense Media).

The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia is about 15-year-old genius Ashley Garcia and the ups and downs of her life juggling a job as a rocket engineer at NASA and teen-hood. It's charming, wholesome, and stars an exemplary young adult. The show deals with themes like the need for autonomy, having a first kiss, and chatting about making out, so it's likely not suitable for all audiences (via Decider). There's only one season of the show so far, but it's sure to be a hit with many tweens.

One Day at a Time is another tween pleaser streaming on Netflix at the moment. The show is a reboot of an '80s comedy series, but this time it's about a Cuban family in Los Angeles. The show has some more serious and mature themes, but it tackles them with sensitivity and in a tween-friendly way (via SheKnows). And while not all the characters are young, the two underaged personalities are dealing with issues like trying to be popular in school and teen drama; totally tween-relevant themes (via Rotten Tomatoes).

A Series of Unfortunate Events is based on a book series about three gifted orphans and how they encounter and overcome extraordinary struggles primarily caused by an obsessive character played by Neil Patrick Harris. The series has some dark themes and dry humor, but its characters are relatable to the tweens of today. The show earned a 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes and has something for the adults, teens, and tweens in the room. There's loads of wordplay that will expand a tween's vocab and charm an adult. For example, there's a bit where the characters argue over whether "literally" or "figuratively" is the best word choice to describe a particular situation (via CNN).

Whether you're a tween, are friends with a tween, or are parenting a tween, Netflix is definitely serving up entertainment that appeals to all.