Best-Reviewed YA Series 2020

The Baby-Sitters Club, about a group of girls with entrepreneurial spirit, struck Tomato gold in the first year of our best-reviewed YA TV series category. Netflix delivered the top three titles in the genre, including Christmas romp Dash & Lily and Mindy Kaling’s coming-of-age comedy Never Have I Ever. Meanwhile, for the not-quite-ready-for-Euphoria crowd, TV-14–rated HBO drama Betty comes in at No. 4, and now-canceled Party Of Five remake rounds out the group.

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2020. Scores might change over time.

The Baby-Sitters Club: Season 1

#1

Adjusted Score: 105127%

Critics Consensus: Sweet, sincere, and full of hope, The Baby-Sitters Club's grounded approach honors its source material while updating the story for a new generation.

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Starring: Sophie Grace, Momona Tamada, Shay Rudolph, Malia Baker

Directed By: Lucia Aniello, Naia Cucukov, Michael De Luca, Lucy Kitada

Dash & Lily: Season 1

#2

Adjusted Score: 102829%

Critics Consensus: Anchored by the charming Midori Francis and Austin Abrams, Dash & Lily is a delightful rom-com adventure with plenty of holiday cheer.

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Starring: Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, Dante Brown, Troy Iwata

Directed By: Shawn Levy, Josh S. Barry, Nick Jonas, Brad Silberling

Never Have I Ever: Season 1

#3

Adjusted Score: 102674%

Critics Consensus: Never Have I Ever's fresh take on the coming-of-age comedy is hilariously honest, sweetly smart, and likely to have viewers falling head over heels for charming newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan.

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Starring: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Benjamin Norris

Directed By: Lang Fisher, Mindy Kaling

Betty: Season 1

#4

Adjusted Score: 99610%

Critics Consensus: Earnest, audacious, and effortlessly cool, Betty captures the spirit of skating and friendship with style.

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Starring: Dede Lovelace, Kabrina "Moonbear" Adams, Nina Moran, Ajani Russell

Directed By: Crystal Moselle, Crystal Moselle, Lesley Arfin, Igor Srubshchik

Party of Five: Season 1

#5

Adjusted Score: 99282%

Critics Consensus: With a strong cast and empathetic storytelling, Party of Five's timely reinvention adds a new layer of urgency while still honoring the original series.

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Starring: Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Niko Guardado, Bruno Bichir

Directed By: Rodrigo Garcia, Christopher Keyser, Amy Lippman, Esta Spalding