Everyone is talking about Heated Rivalry right now — video edits, BookTok theories, and nonstop chatter about how the actors’ chemistry is off the charts. The series has completely taken over, and honestly, it’s the perfect reminder of how good Canadians are at creating stories people get obsessed with.
Seeing Canadian content blow up like this made me want to revisit the shows that did it before them — the comedies, dramas, and cult classics that proved Canada’s been making top-tier television long before this hockey love story hit the spotlight.
1.
The show that started small, exploded worldwide, and became the gold standard for comfort TV. Schitt’s Creek gave us iconic one-liners, Moira’s legendary wig collection, and a slow-burn, small-town transformation that felt genuinely heartwarming. In 2020, it made history by sweeping all seven major comedy categories at the Emmys, cementing its global impact. And yes — the Rosebud Motel is real. Those exterior shots were filmed at the Hockley Motel in Mono, Ontario, now a full-on fan pilgrimage spot.
2.
Produced first in Montreal and then in Toronto, Arthur is, in fact, Canadian. So many kids grew up watching that aardvark navigate school, friendships, and DW-level mayhem. Even though most of us eventually aged out of the show, Arthur never really left our lives. The memes — the fist, the headphones, DW at the fence — are still everywhere, proving the show’s impact is very much alive, even in full-grown adult group chats.
3.
A Toronto corner store, a Korean Canadian family, and some of the warmest, funniest storytelling to ever come out of the north. Kim’s Convenience didn’t just make people laugh — it was a milestone for representation, showcasing immigrant family dynamics, generational clashes, and the kind of everyday diversity that actually looks like real life. The Kims felt like people you knew, and the show proved that authentic stories resonate way beyond one community. Plus, it launched Simu Liu straight into Marvel — not bad for a family sitcom.
4.
If you have kids under 12, you definitely know this show way too well — because PAW Patrol isn’t just popular, it’s a full-blown worldwide phenomenon. Toys, movies, merch, theme park rides… these pups are everywhere. And here’s the part that shocks people every time: yes, it’s Canadian.
5.
The show that raised an entire generation — and taught us more about teen drama, consequences, and life lessons than any actual health class ever did. Degrassi never shied away from anything: bullying, addiction, pregnancy, identity, embarrassing crushes, even Drake getting shot in a hallway. It was messy, earnest, and groundbreaking, proving that Canadian TV could tackle real issues with heart and chaos.
6.
A mind-bending sci-fi thriller that turned the actress, Tatiana Maslany, into a one-woman acting powerhouse — literally. Orphan Black follows Sarah Manning, who discovers she’s one of many clones caught in a massive biotech conspiracy, and Maslany plays every single clone with completely different personalities, accents, and mannerisms. Her performance was so impressive that it earned her an Emmy Award, making her one of the few actors to win for portraying multiple characters simultaneously.
7.
If you took Survivor, cranked the chaos to 100, and animated every unhinged reality-TV stereotype imaginable, you’d get Total Drama Island. It became a global hit for a reason — the show was outrageous, petty, dramatic, and somehow still wholesome underneath all the ridiculous challenges and manufactured drama. For a whole generation, this was the cartoon that taught kids what reality TV really looked like… just with more explosions.
8.
A fast, funny look at the chaos of trying to balance careers, kids, friendships, and everything in between. Workin’ Moms became a hit because it nailed the messy, honest reality of modern motherhood — awkward playdates, relationship drama, and full-on identity crises included. It ran for seven seasons, and fun fact: creator/star Catherine Reitman and Philip Sternberg, who plays her husband on the show, are actually married in real life.
9.
Trailer Park Boys is a mockumentary so chaotic and quotable it practically rewrote Canadian comedy. It follows Nova Scotia legends Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles as they stumble through petty crimes, bigger schemes, and an endless loop of getting arrested — all captured with shaky cameras and zero shame. It’s crude, ridiculous, and somehow still weirdly heartfelt beneath all the swearing.
10.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? single-handedly made a whole generation scared of campfires and basements. It followed a group of teens who met in the woods to tell ghost stories that were honestly way too scary for a kids’ show — and that’s exactly why everyone loved it. Fun fact: a young Ryan Gosling even appeared in an early episode.
11.
The ultimate animated time capsule of peak 2000s teen life. 6teen followed six friends hanging out, working crappy mall jobs, falling in and out of crushes, and navigating the kind of everyday drama that felt huge when you were a teen. It was funny, relatable, and surprisingly ahead of its time with its humour and friendships.
12.
Letterkenny is a lightning-fast comedy about a tiny Ontario town where everyone chirps at each other, drinks too much, and somehow delivers the most poetic insults you’ve ever heard. It’s chaotic, clever, and weirdly profound — bouncing between farmers, hockey players, skids, and the most iconic small-town arguments imaginable. It’s one of those shows where you think you’re just watching for the jokes, and then suddenly you realize… this is actually brilliant.
13.
And then there’s the Letterkenny spin-off that somehow turned one of the show’s most memorable side characters into a full-blown cultural icon. Shoresy follows everyone’s favourite potty-mouthed machine as he joins a struggling hockey team in Sudbury and tries to turn it around by sheer force of attitude. It’s fast, filthy, unexpectedly heartfelt, and packed with some of the best hockey banter ever put on TV — in other words, peak Canadian energy.
14.
Created by Canadian animator Danny Antonucci, Ed, Edd n Eddy became one of Cartoon Network’s most iconic shows in the early 2000s. It’s about three scheming kids in a cul-de-sac dreaming up ridiculous plans to score giant jawbreaker candies. The series ran for six seasons and a final movie, making it the longest-running Cartoon Network original at the time.
15.
The Big Comfy Couch starred Loonette the Clown, her doll Molly, and a giant couch that felt like the coziest place on TV. Kids tuned in for the Clock Stretch, silly stories, and the surprisingly soothing chaos of clown life. For a whole generation, this show was the definition of comfort — and yes, it’s as Canadian as maple syrup.
16.
Life with Derek was the ultimate mid-2000s Family Channel chaos. It followed Casey and her new stepbrother Derek, whose love-hate dynamic made the show iconic. Today, Ashley Leggat (Casey) is still acting and active in Canadian TV, while Michael Seater (Derek) moved 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 navigated everyday childhood moments with his family. The Canadian show focused on gentle life lessons, big emotions, and simple storytelling that made it a go-to for younger kids. Whether you found him adorable or a tiny bit dramatic, Caillou was a major part of early-morning TV for a lot of families.
18.
The definition of small-town Canadian comedy is Corner Gas. It takes place in the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan, where nothing dramatic ever happens — and that’s exactly why it’s hilarious. The show thrives on dry humour, quirky characters, and the kind of everyday interactions that feel painfully familiar to anyone who’s lived in a tiny town (or driven through one). It’s simple, charming, and effortlessly funny — a true Canadian classic.
19.
The show with the unforgettable cut-out animation style that every millennial remembers instantly is Angela Anaconda. It followed Angela and her friends through school drama and her ongoing rivalry with Nanette Manoir — all delivered with dramatic monologues and over-the-top flair. And yes, shockingly, it’s Canadian, created by Ottawa-based Decode Entertainment. Love it or fear it, you definitely remember it.
20.
Uh-Oh! was the gloriously messy Canadian kids’ game show every ’90s kid remembers — mostly because of the slime. Contestants faced goofy challenges, trivia questions, and the dreaded “Punisher,” who gleefully dumped buckets of goo on anyone who got an answer wrong. Loud, hilarious, and low-budget in the most charming way, Uh-Oh! was peak 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 dealing with friendship, rivalry, romance, and the pressure of chasing big dreams. It mixed sports intensity with classic early-2000s drama in a way that felt very of its time.
That’s just a small slice of the incredible TV Canada has given us — but what about you? Did your favourite Canadian show make the list, or did I miss one you absolutely love? Drop your picks in the comments below — let’s celebrate the best of Canadian television together. 🇨🇦✨
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