Best TV Shows of the Year: 2024

Last updated: February 5, 2025

For our TV editors Polly Conway and Marina Gordon, streaming is a lifestyle. But that doesn't mean everything they come across is binge-worthy—that's why they curated this list of high-quality shows released this year. From reboots and specials to documentaries and spin-offs, this selection has it all. Use it as a guide to finding your next favorite, and don't miss the rest of our best media picks from this year, linked below.

Best of 2024 Collection: Movies | U.K./International Films | Books | Video Games

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Barney's World TV Show Poster: Barney, a purple dinosaur, holds a glowing heart with Baby Bop and Billy dinosaurs in the background

TV

Barney's World

age 2+

Iconic dino returns with positive social-emotional lessons.

Max Educational (2024)

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Bea's Block TV: Block friends Bea, Lexie and Ty stand in a line outside the treehouse that hosts the Kindness Club.

TV

Bea's Block

age 2+

Neighborly kindness, empathy shine in fab preschool series.

Max Kids' Animation (2024)

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Carl the Collector TV Series Poster Image: Carl, a cartoon raccoon, sits outside with a few of his collections in jars

TV

Carl the Collector

age 2+

Adorable animal friends and positive autism representation.

PBS Kids Educational (2024)

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Cookie Monster's Bake Sale: Back To School TV: Elmo and Cookie Monster in a Chef's hat greeting. Yvette Nicole Brown in bg.

TV

Cookie Monster's Bake Sale: Back to School

age 2+

Fun game show celebrates reading, laughing, sweet treats.

Max Game Shows (2024)

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Dee & Friends in Oz TV show poster: Dee stands on rainbow brick road with friends Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion in front of school castle.

TV

Dee & Friends in Oz

age 2+

Vibrant musical encourages kids to be their best selves.

Netflix Kids Musical TV (2024)

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Disney Jr.'s Ariel TV Show Poster: Ariel, a Black kid mermaid, swims underwater with Flounder and Sebastian

TV

Disney Jr.'s Ariel

age 2+

Fresh take on beloved mermaid will delight littlest viewers.

Disney Junior , Disney+ Educational (2024)

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Kindergarten: The Musical TV Show poster: 5 animated preschool friends dance on a stage

TV

Kindergarten: The Musical

age 2+

Sweet musical series celebrates school challenges and wins.

Disney Junior , Disney+ Educational (2024)

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Yo Gabba GabbaLand! TV Poster Image: a girl stands in the center of Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, Plex, and Muno

TV

Yo Gabba GabbaLand!

age 2+

Preschool party dances on with same positive lessons.

Apple TV Variety Show (2024)

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Dora TV show poster: Dora balances on a tree trunk over a river with her friends Boots, Tico, Benny and Isa.

TV

Dora

age 3+

Fantastic reboot beats original, with extra energy and fun.

Paramount+ Kids' Animation (2024)

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Hop TV: Big bold letters forming the name HOP. Little green frog with red hair peaking through the letter O.

TV

Hop

age 3+

Sweet preschool show encourages growth, embracing yourself.

Max Kids' Animation (2024)

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Milo TV Show Poster: A black cartoon cat smiles to camera

TV

Milo

age 3+

Sweet and simple stories explore all kinds of jobs.

PBS Kids Educational (2024)

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Vida the Vet: A cartoon of a young girl dressed as a vet and checking out a baby hippo.

TV

Vida the Vet

age 3+

Educational adventures with cute kid and animal friends.

Netflix Kids' Animation (2024)

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Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin TV Show Poster: Franklin, a Black boy cartoon character, stands smiling holding a suitcase

TV

Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin

age 4+

Charming Peanuts special about friendship and fitting in.

Apple TV Kids' Animation (2024)

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Lyla in the Loop poster: Lyla stands in front of her apartment building next to Stu, wearing a yellow hoodie while smiling.

TV

Lyla in the Loop

age 5+

Funny, inventive animated show spotlights creative thinking.

PBS Kids Kids' Animation (2024)

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TV

Tiny Time Travel

age 5+

Witty friends use communication skills to solve problems.

PBS Kids Educational (2024)

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A Real Bug's Life TV Poster: a spider, ladybug, ant, and other insects are perched on leaves

TV

A Real Bug's Life

age 6+

Funny nature docuseries has a little insect peril.

Disney+ Educational (2024)

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Mammals TV show poster: Looking above a leopard, a camel, and an elephant walking a straight line.

TV

Mammals

age 6+

Beautiful animal docu has warning for human species.

BBC America Educational (2024)

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Nature Cat: Nature Cat's Nature Movie Special Extraordinaire poster image, a big tree with the title and forest creatures

TV

Nature Cat: Nature Cat's Nature Movie Special Extraordinaire

age 6+

Goofy nature special has a positive Earth Day message.

PBS Kids Educational (2024)

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Secrets of the Octopus TV show poster: Brown and white octopus swims in deep blue ocean.

TV

Secrets of the Octopus

age 6+

Colorful octopod docu is educational, entertaining.

Disney+ , National Geographic Channel Educational (2024)

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Poster Image: Billie, a Black teenage girl wizard, is surrounded by more characters from the show

TV

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

age 6+

Wizards return with more magic, mischief, and life lessons.

Disney+ , Disney Channel Comedy (2024)

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