Netflix's "Adolescence" has rocketed to its #1 spot, racking up over 24 million views in just four days. Critics call this four-episode series a television standout of 2025, sending viewers on a desperate hunt for more shows like Adolescence to fill the void after the finale.
Looking for your next binge-worthy international drama fix? We’ve got you covered! These six incredible shows deliver all the emotional intensity you loved in Adolescence while also helping you pick up authentic phrases and learn a language.
Trust me, you'll be so hooked on these stories that you won’t even notice you’re upgrading your language skills in the process.
- 5 K-Dramas Like When Life Gives You Tangerines
- 5 TV Series Like Stranger Things Every Fan Should Watch
- 6 International TV Shows Like Breaking Bad On Netflix
Best Shows Like Adolescence
Ready to fill the Adolescence-shaped hole in your viewing schedule? From criminal investigations to coming-of-age stories with dark twists, these recommendations will keep you engaged while building your language skills.
Mindhunter
If you were captivated by Adolescence's psychological depth, Mindhunter will pull you even deeper into criminal psychology. Set in the late 1970s, this gripping Netflix series follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they pioneer the field of criminal profiling by interviewing imprisoned serial killers.
What makes Mindhunter particularly compelling is its focus on the "why" behind criminal behavior—exactly what made Adolescence so addictive. Instead of just solving cases, the show helps us understand what exactly drives people to commit heinous acts. Some scenes will even make you think twice about how you’d react if you were in the character’s shoes.
Where to watch: Netflix with the Lingopie Extension for maximum language learning
Defending Jacob
For fans captivated by Adolescence's exploration of youth, family dynamics, and moral ambiguity, "Defending Jacob" delivers a similar emotional punch while examining how quickly public perception can turn against someone based on digital footprints.
This gripping miniseries follows respected assistant district attorney Andy Barber, whose seemingly perfect life crumbles when his 14-year-old son Jacob becomes the prime suspect in a classmate’s murder. As the investigation deepens, Andy and his wife Laurie face an impossible situation: reconciling their unconditional love for their child with mounting evidence that he might actually be guilty.
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Baby Reindeer
If you thought Adolescence pushed boundaries, Baby Reindeer will take you even further into the darkest corners of human psychology. This Emmy-winning Netflix miniseries is based on Richard Gadd’s own harrowing experiences as a struggling comedian. In every episode, you’ll get to see how his life spirals out of control when he becomes the fixation of an obsessive stalker named Martha.
Want to improve your English? The show’s raw dialogue and authentic British slang make it particularly valuable for learners looking to understand conversational nuances beyond textbook examples. With the Lingopie Extension, you can capture these real-world expressions while being completely absorbed in one of the most talked-about shows of recent years.
Where to watch: Netflix with Lingopie Extension for enhanced language learning
Unbelievable
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning article, this gripping series hits just as hard emotionally as Adolescence did – maybe even harder because it actually happened. The true-life story follows two brilliant female detectives who refuse to give up on finding a serial predator while their investigation reveals how badly the system failed a young survivor.
For language learners, you'll hear authentic English across different contexts – from official police interviews to intimate personal conversations. The dialogue captures how people really speak during life’s most intense moments, giving you useful vocabulary for explaining yourself.
Where to watch: Netflix
The End of the F***ing World
This British dark comedy series follows James (Alex Lawther), a 17-year-old who believes he's a psychopath and decides it's time to graduate from killing animals to his first human victim. His target? Rebellious classmate Alyssa (Jessica Barden), who unwittingly joins him on a chaotic road trip across England.
Despite its bleak premise, this show manages to feature genuine humor and surprising tenderness in what could have been just another grim teen drama. The series walks a tightrope between disturbing and darkly funny that fans of "Adolescence" will appreciate, though it offers more moments of comic relief than Netflix's latest psychological thriller.
Where to watch: Netflix with Lingopie Extension for language immersion
Broadchurch
If you connected with how "Adolescence" examined the ripple effects of a teenager’s choices on an entire community, "Broadchurch" delivers that same emotional intensity through the lens of a devastating crime investigation. This critically acclaimed British drama begins when the body of 11-year-old Danny Latimer is discovered at the base of a seaside cliff, sending shockwaves through a previously peaceful coastal town.
The show is great to watch since it takes a microscopic look at how media coverage transforms private grief into public spectacle. You'll find yourself so absorbed in British conversations as the investigation peels back layers of community secrets. So, if you want to pick up natural conversation patterns, this is a must-watch!
Where to watch: Peacock
- 5 German Cooking Shows For Learning German Culinary Terms
- 6 Best Portuguese Comedy Movies Everyone Should Watch
- 6 Funniest Spanish Comedy Movies On Netflix To Watch
Why Crime Dramas Are Perfect for Language Learning
Crime dramas offer significant advantages for anyone trying to pick up a new language. Unlike textbooks that teach formal, structured language, these shows immerse you in real-world conversations across different contexts. This variety exposes you to authentic vocabulary that people actually use in everyday life.
The emotional intensity of crime dramas also creates stronger memory connections in your brain, helping new words and phrases stick better than rote memorization ever could. When you’re fully engaged with characters and storylines, your brain naturally absorbs language patterns without the usual learning fatigue.
Plus, these shows frequently repeat key terminology (like legal jargon or forensic terms) throughout episodes, giving you multiple chances to hear and understand important phrases in context.
By pairing your binge-watching sessions with language learning tools like language extensions, you transform entertainment time into productive practice—all while enjoying the same gripping storytelling that made Adolescence so addictive.
Ready to Take Your Language Learning to the Next Level?
If you've been captivated by these crime dramas and want to maximize their language learning potential, Lingopie offers the perfect solution. Unlike traditional streaming, Lingopie transforms your favorite shows into interactive language lessons with features designed specifically for learners.
The Lingopie browser extension works seamlessly with Netflix and other platforms, allowing you to:
- Click on any word to see instant translations
- Save new vocabulary with a single tap
- Practice pronunciation with built-in speech tools
- Review words you've learned through personalized flashcards
Best of all, Lingopie's approach keeps the entertainment factor intact. You're not studying...you're actually watching addictive crime dramas that happen to improve your language skills along the way!
Ready to turn your "Adolescence" withdrawal into productive language immersion? Start your Lingopie journey today and discover how binge-watching these gripping shows can transform your language-learning experience.
