The 2000s were in its prime for television, especially when it catered to teenagers and young adults. Multiple shows were produced in the early years of the 2000s, and they often ran with multiple episodes in a single season. Now, in 2022, it’s more common for a show to have 8-10 episodes in a season rather than 20-24 like in the past. What made the longer seasons so good was the use of filler episodes, but now that there are half as many episodes in a season, the use of fillers isn’t needed. That being said, here’s a list of the best teen shows of the 2000s, ranked.

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7 Veronica Mars

     Warner Bros. Television Distribution 

While some people have Nancy Drew, others have Veronica Mars. The show ran for three seasons on the CW and starred Kristen Bell as Veronica, a crime-fighting detective in the making, as she follows in her father’s footsteps. Each episode, Mars was able to figure out a standalone case that was on the simpler side, while also trying to figure out a much larger case that was more confusing and lasted throughout the entire season. It’s a cult classic, and in 2014, a Veronica Mars movie was released, and a fourth season premiered in 2019 on Hulu.

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6 Freaks and Geeks

     DreamWorks SKG

It ran for a single season before getting canceled, but the influence of Freaks and Geeks still remains in 2022. With a cast full of talented young stars, such as Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Linda Cardellini, US Magazine states that most of the cast has gone on to be extremely successful, and for most, the show was initially their big break. It follows a tight-knit group of friends in high school, mostly stoners and burnouts, and the year of school they go through together. Drugs, nerds, and love triangles are featured in this single season, and it’ll leave you wishing there were more episodes to binge-watch.

5 The O.C.

     Warner Bros.

This show ran for four seasons, and revolves around the wealthy Cohen family. They adopt troubled teen Ryan Atwood, who comes from a starkly different world from the people who adopted him. Class and wealth is often discussed throughout the series, and proves to be a conflict that arises in the seasons. Adam Brody, who plays Seth Cohen, was originally meant to be a love interest on Gilmore Girls for longer than he was featured, but then he landed The O.C. Even though it had a short run, it was beloved by fans who started a petition to renew the show, that gained over 700,000 signatures. The show wasn’t saved, but the Cohen family is still iconic.

4 Gossip Girl

     Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution

Although the teens in Gossip Girl were filthy rich and privileged, this show appealed to everyone, not just the upper class. It featured a great cast of memorable characters, and several plot lines that constantly changed the course of the show. Some of the most notable moments were paired with a great soundtrack, such as Jason Derulo’s “Watcha Say.” Not only did the writers of the show often pick the perfect song for the scene, ScreenRant states that the parties featured were often over-the-top and perfect for the luxurious vibe of the show.

3 Degrassi

     Entertainment One

It’s one of the most talked about series made for teens, and it’s had over several spinoffs, making it that much more successful. It first began in 1979, but the most popular series of Degrassi was The Next Generation, which lasted for 14 seasons. Similar to Dawson’s Creek, the show focused on dozens of important topics, such as sexual identity, suicide, self-harm, and inappropriate relationships. It’s noted that the themes were often dark and dreary for a teen show, but many teenage viewers who watched the series enjoyed how real it was in comparison to their actual lives.

2 Dawson’s Creek

     The WB

If you’re a fan of the show, you know the show isn’t just about Dawson, and it would have been extremely boring if that was the case. Dawson, Pacey, Joey and Jen formed a tight friendship over the six seasons it ran. The show often tackled real-life issues such as Pacey sleeping with a teacher and being manipulated by her; Andie’s mental illness; and Jack’s sexuality. One of the best things to happen on this show was the relationship between Pacey and Joey, and how naturally they fell in love with each other.

1 One Tree Hill

     WB

Whether you were team Lucas or Team Nathan, One Tree Hill remains the best teen show that was featured in the 2000s. Based and filmed in North Carolina, the show featured constant drama, betrayals between couples and best friends, and even murder. Famous guest stars often appeared in episodes, such as Pete Wentz, who played himself and stuck around for a bit. The show has a very loyal fan base, even though it ended more than a decade ago. The cast often gathers to appear at fan conventions.