Graduation has been shown in a variety of coming-of-age TV series and movies as a culmination of the characters’ high school years. Now, the Class of 2026 will experience walking the stage in real time. 

Ranging from sitcoms to dramas, there are many shows that have had an impact on seniors’ childhoods. As the year ends, rewatching their favorite shows and specific episodes that feature graduation can invoke nostalgia as they transition out of high school, according to Fielding Graduate University.

One show that aired its last season in December 2025 is “Stranger Things,” which follows a series of children in the 1980s who face supernatural events. Streamed in theaters and on Netflix, the show’s finale also includes the characters’ high school graduation ceremony with classic tracks such as “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution, “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden and “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac playing during the episode.  The first episode of “Stranger Things” was released in 2016, so many seniors have grown up with the show and its characters. 

“I watched the ‘Stranger Things’ finale in theaters,” senior Rithika Potluri said. “It made me feel emotional because I realized that we were technically graduating the same year the characters were shown graduating, even if the show was set in a different time period.” 

Released in 2018, “Alexa and Katie” is a Netflix sitcom that stars two best friends, Alexa Mendoza and Katie Cooper, who navigate the challenges of high school and adolescence. The show features scenarios that many high schoolers go through, such as taking the SAT, figuring out a career interest and applying to college. It also touches on illness and social aspects of fitting in high school.

“‘Alexa and Katie’ reminds me of when I was younger, which is sad knowing I’ve grown up,” senior Amelia Florentine said. “But the tight friendship makes me think of my friends and how we’re all going to graduate soon.”

Another sitcom on Disney+ is “Liv and Maddie” that follows identical twins with opposite personalities as they navigate high school. Released in 2013, the show touches on the complexities of sisterhood, personal identity, competitive sports and social dynamics. 

“‘Liv and Maddie’ was my favorite show when I was young,” senior Aanvi Dwivedi said. “Rewatching it as a teenager reminds me of my childhood, especially since they were also graduating in the show. I remember Liv and Maddie had different paths after high school, and I thought it was relatable to how many of my friends right now are going to different colleges with different majors.”

Some other Disney and Nickelodeon sitcoms include “Austin and Ally,” “Hannah Montana,” “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Boy Meets World” on Disney+ and “Henry Danger” on Paramount+. Disney’s “High School Musical” can also be watched to reminisce on the past few years.

“Sometime before graduation I want to watch a bunch of sitcoms with graduation episodes with my friends for fun,” senior Rithika Potluri said. “I think it would be nice to watch some of our favorite characters’ graduate before we do in real life.”