Watch Generation X

Generation X is a six-part documentary series that explores the unique experiences and perspectives of individuals who belong to the titular generation, which refers to those born in the United States between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s. Produced by National Geographic, the show premiered in 2016 and draws on a range of sources and voices—from cultural commentators and historians to individual Gen Xers themselves—to paint a multifaceted portrait of a generation that has been alternately derided and celebrated as a product of profound social and technological change.

The series begins with an episode that sets the stage for the cultural and historical context in which Gen Xers have come of age. Combining archival footage, interviews, and cultural critiques, the episode traces the path of a generation that grew up in the shadow of the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 70s, but who also experienced the rise of neoliberalism, the end of the Cold War, and the birth of the internet.

Subsequent episodes explore a range of themes that are particularly resonant for Gen Xers. For example, one episode takes on the topics of work and money, examining how this generation has navigated an economic landscape characterized by precarious employment, stagnant wages, and increased debt. Another episode focuses on technology, exploring how the rapid development of digital technologies has transformed the way that Gen Xers work, socialize, and experience the world.

Throughout the series, the voices of individual Gen Xers are foregrounded, with many sharing their own stories of coming of age in a society that has been in flux for decades. These stories touch on a range of powerful and personal experiences, from grappling with addiction and mental illness to discovering one's own sexuality and identity. Together, they build a complex and nuanced picture of a generation that is both shaped by and shaping our times.

What makes Generation X particularly compelling is its willingness to embrace complexity and contradiction. The series resists easy generalizations or nostalgic celebrations of a bygone era, instead offering a critical and reflective exploration of a generation that has often been stereotyped as apathetic, cynical, or disengaged. By turning to the voices and stories of Gen Xers themselves, the series invites viewers to reconsider the ways in which this generation has contributed to—and been shaped by—the larger social, cultural, and technological shifts of our time.

Overall, Generation X is a thought-provoking and informative series that offers valuable insights into one of the most misunderstood and often-overlooked generations of our time. Whether you are a Gen Xer yourself or simply curious about the cultural forces that have shaped our contemporary world, this series is well worth watching.

Generation X is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between February 14, 2016 and on National Geographic