Everybody's talking about Heated rivalry right now – video editing, BookTok theories and non-stop chatter about how actors chemistry is off scale. The series has completely taken off and it's honestly the perfect reminder of how good Canadians are at creating stories that people love. obsessed With.
Seeing such an explosion of Canadian content made me want to go back to the shows that did it before them – the comedies, dramas and cult classics that proved Canada was making top-tier television long before this hockey love story took center stage.
1.
The show, which started small, has gone viral around the world and become the gold standard of comfort television. Schitt's Creek gave us a landmark witticismsMoira's iconic wig collection and the slow transformation of a small town that I found truly moving. In 2020, he made history by sweeping away everything seven main categories of comedy at the Emmy Awards, cementing its global influence. And yes – Rosebud Motel really. These exterior shots were filmed at the Hockley Motel in Mono, Ontario, which is now a fan pilgrimage site.
2.
Manufactured first in Montreal and then in Toronto. Arthur In fact, Canadian. So many kids have grown up watching the aardvark rule school, friendships, and chaos on a DW level. Even though most of us have aged out of the series over time, Arthur has never left our lives. Memes – fist, headphones, DW by the fence – are still everywhere, proving that the show's influence is very much alive, even in adult group chats.
3.
Corner store in Toronto Korean-Canadian familyand some of the warmest and funniest stories ever to come out of the north. Kim's Convenience didn't just make people laugh—it was a milestone in representation, showcasing immigrant family dynamics, generational clashes, and the kind of everyday diversity that is actually like real life. The Kims felt like people you knew, and the show proved that true stories resonate far beyond one community. In addition, he launched Simu Liu straight into Marvel – not bad for a family sitcom.
4.
If you have children under 12, you probably know this show all too well because PAW Patrol It's not just popular, it's a full-blown worldwide phenomenon. Toys, movies, merchandise, theme park rides… these pups are everywhere. And here's the part that shocks people every time: yes, this is Canadian.
5.
The show that raised an entire generation and taught us more about teen drama, consequences, and life lessons than any real health lesson ever taught. Degrassi never shied away from anything: bullying, addiction, pregnancy, identity, awkward crushes, even Drake getting shot in the hallway. It was messy, serious and innovative, proving that Canadian television could tackle real-life issues with heart and chaos.
6.
A mind-blowing sci-fi thriller that turned the actress around. Tatiana Maslanyinto a functioning one-woman powerhouse—literally. Orphan Black follows Sarah Manning as she discovers that she is one of many clones caught up in a massive biotech conspiracy, with Maslany playing each clone with vastly different personalities, accents and mannerisms. Her performance was so impressive that it earned her an award. Emmy Awardmaking her one of the few actors to win the award for playing multiple characters simultaneously.
7.
If you took Survivorturned the chaos up to 100 and animated every crazy reality TV stereotype imaginable, you get General Drama Island. It became a worldwide hit for a reason: the show was outrageous, petty, dramatic, and somehow still wholesome despite all the ridiculous problems and manufactured drama. For a generation, this cartoon taught kids what reality TV was really like… only with more explosions.
8.
A quick and funny look at the chaos of trying to balance a career, kids, friendships, and everything in between. Working moms became a hit because it captured the messy and honest reality of modern motherhood, including awkward dates, relationship drama and a complete identity crisis. It lasted seven seasons and fun fact: creator/star Katherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, who plays her husband on the series. actually married in real life.
9.
Trailer Park Boys it's a mockumentary so chaotic and quotable that it practically rewrote the Canadian comedy. It follows Nova Scotia legends Ricky, Julian and Bubbles as they face petty crimes, larger schemes and an endless loop of arrests – all captured with shaky cameras and no shame. It's rude, ridiculous and somehow strangely sincere, despite all the swearing.
10.
Are you afraid of the dark? single-handedly made an entire generation afraid of fires and basements. It follows a group of teenagers who meet in the woods to tell ghost stories that were, frankly, too scary for a kids' show—and that's why everyone loved it. Fun fact: a young Ryan Gosling even appeared in one of the first episode.
11.
The best animated time capsule of peak teen life in the 2000s. 6teenager followed six friends as they partied, worked crappy jobs in malls, fell in and out of crushes, and dealt with the everyday drama that seemed huge when you were a teenager. It was funny, interesting and surprisingly ahead of its time in its humor and friendship.
12.
Letterkenny is a lightning-fast comedy about a tiny Ontario town where everyone chirps to each other, drinks too much, and somehow utters the most poetic insults you've ever heard. It's chaotic, smart and strangely deep – between farmers, hockey players, sleds and the most iconic people. small town arguments that can be imagined. It's one of those shows where you think you're just watching the jokes, and then suddenly you realize… it's actually genius.
13.
And then there is Letterkenny spin off it somehow turned one of the show's most memorable supporting characters into a full-fledged cultural icon. Shoresey follows everyone's favorite machine with an empty mouth as he joins the struggling hockey team in Sudbury and is trying to change things with the power of his attitude. It's fast, dirty, unexpectedly heartfelt and filled with some of the best hockey jokes ever shown on television – in other words, peak Canadian energy.
14.
Created by a Canadian animator Danny Antonucci, Ed, Edd and Eddy became one of Cartoon Network's most iconic shows in the early 2000s. It's about three wily teenagers living in a cul-de-sac and coming up with ridiculous plans to obtain giant candy canes. The series ran for six seasons and a final film, making it Cartoon Network's longest-running original to that point.
15.
Large comfortable sofa starring Loonette the Clown, her Molly doll and a giant sofa that seemed like the coziest place on television. Kids tuned in to Clock Stretch, silly stories and the wonderfully calming chaos of clown life. For an entire generation, this show was the definition of comfort—and yes, it's as Canadian as maple syrup.
16.
Life with Derek It was pure chaos on the Family Channel in the mid-2000s. It follows Casey and her new half-brother Derek, whose love-hate dynamic has made the series a cult favorite. Today, Ashley Leggatt (Casey) is still acting and active in Canadian television, while Michael Seater (Derek) remains behind the scenes as a writer and director.
17.
Caillou Followed a curious four-year-old as he explored the world, learned new skills, and experienced everyday moments of childhood with his family. Canadian show focuses on gentle life lessons, strong emotions and simple storytelling, making it a favorite for young children. Whether you find him charming or a little dramatic, Caillou has been a staple of morning television programming for many families.
18.
The definition of small town Canadian comedy is: Corner Gas. Set in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, where nothing dramatic ever happens—and that's what makes it fun. The series is dominated by dry humor, quirky characters, and everyday interactions that seem eerily familiar to anyone who's lived in (or driven through) a tiny town. It's simple, charming and effortlessly funny – a true Canadian classic.
19.
A show with an unforgettable animation style that is instantly memorable for every millennial. Angela Anaconda. It chronicles the high school drama of Angela and her friends and her ongoing rivalry with Nanette Manoir, all accompanied by dramatic monologues and incredible flair. And yes, shockingly, this is a Canadian film produced by Ottawa-based Decode Entertainment. Love it or fear it, you will definitely remember it.
20.
Oops! it was the deliciously messy Canadian children's game show that every '90s kid remembers – mostly because of the slime. Participants had to deal with stupid problems, trivial questions, and the dreaded “Punisher” who gleefully dumped buckets of goo on anyone who got the answer wrong. Loud, fun and low-budget in the most charming way. Oops! was the peak of retro Canadian game show energy.
21.
And finally… 15/Love. It's a teen drama set in the ultra-competitive world of junior tennis. 15/Love follows a group of young athletes as they navigate friendship, rivalry, romance and the pressure of chasing big dreams. It mixed sports intensity with classic early 2000s drama, which was very much in keeping with the times.
This is just a small part of the incredible television that Canada has given us. What about you? Did your favorite Canadian show make the list or did I miss one that you really like? Leave your picks in the comments below—let's celebrate the best of Canadian television together. 🇨🇦✨
