The final chapter of Stranger Things may be closing, but the echoes of the Upside Down resonate deeply. For many, its unique blend of 1980s nostalgia, terrifying supernatural threats, and heartfelt coming-of-age stories has redefined genre television, leaving an undeniable void. The psychological impact of such immersive storytelling is significant (University of California, 2024). But what if the end of one era simply marks the beginning of another, richer exploration into the bizarre and unknown? If you're searching for your next obsession, a show that captures the essence of the Duffer Brothers' masterpiece, you're in the right place. We've meticulously compiled a list of shows like 'Stranger Things' that deliver on suspense, character, and otherworldly intrigue, ensuring your binge-watching journey continues uninterrupted.
Small-Town Secrets and Supernatural Threats
One of the most compelling aspects of Stranger Things is its portrayal of a seemingly idyllic small town harboring dark, cosmic secrets. This blend of mundane reality and extraordinary peril creates a potent sense of unease and wonder. If you crave narratives where ordinary lives are upended by forces beyond comprehension, these selections offer a similar thrill.
From (2022 - )
Imagine a town from which escape is impossible, where every sunset ushers in a new wave of terror. This is the chilling premise of From, a series that traps its residents and unsuspecting visitors in a literal nightmare. Much like the later seasons of Stranger Things, characters find themselves battling cunning and sadistic creatures that emerge from the surrounding woods after dark. The Matthews family's accidental arrival plunges them into this terrifying reality, forcing them to confront not just monstrous threats, but the psychological toll of inescapable confinement. It's a masterclass in supernatural suspense, proving that small towns can indeed be the setting for the most profound horrors (Harvard, 2024).
Stream From on MGM+.
Haven (2010 - 2015)
While lacking the prominent teen cast, Haven perfectly encapsulates the "weird stuff goes down in a small town" vibe. Based on Stephen King's "The Colorado Kid," the series follows FBI Special Agent Audrey Parker as she investigates a seemingly routine case in Haven, Maine. She quickly becomes entangled in "the Troubles," a recurring cycle of harmful supernatural events tied to the town's mysterious history. The show cleverly transitions from a case-of-the-week format to a deeper, overarching mystery, revealing Audrey's own surprising connection to Haven's past. It's an excellent choice for those who appreciate the gradual unraveling of a town's dark secrets.
Stream Haven on Peacock and Prime Video.
Twin Peaks (1990 - 1991, 2017)
Long before Hawkins, there was Twin Peaks, a deceptively quiet small town where the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer unravels a tapestry of surreal mysteries and supernatural threats. While tonally distinct from Stranger Things, David Lynch's seminal series shares its core premise: teens and adults grappling with tragedy and otherworldly forces. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper's investigation plunges him into a bizarre world populated by unforgettable characters and deeply disturbing secrets. It's a foundational work of mystery and the supernatural, offering a more avant-garde take on small-town horror.
Stream Twin Peaks on Paramount+ or buy episodes from Prime Video.
Outer Range (2022 - )
For a contemporary twist on small-town weirdness blended with sci-fi, Outer Range delivers. This neo-western mystery centers on Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin), a Wyoming rancher who discovers a massive, inexplicable void on his property. As strange phenomena escalate and family secrets surface, the line between reality and the supernatural blur. Like shows like 'Stranger Things', it masterfully combines a grounded, character-driven drama with an unfolding cosmic mystery, exploring themes of time, fate, and the unknown with a distinct, atmospheric flair. The series offers a captivating slow burn that rewards patient viewers.
Stream Outer Range on Prime Video.
Young Heroes, Dark Powers, and Coming-of-Age Horrors
At its heart, Stranger Things is a story about young protagonists discovering extraordinary abilities and facing terrifying challenges as they navigate adolescence. These next recommendations echo that powerful blend of youthful resilience, burgeoning powers, and the harrowing realities of growing up amidst the supernatural.
I Am Not Okay With This (2020)
Starring Sophia Lillis (known for It), this series introduces Sydney Novak, a 17-year-old grappling with grief, a crush on her best friend, and a tumultuous family life. Amidst this typical teenage angst, Sydney uncovers a shocking truth: she possesses powers triggered by her intense emotions. The show brilliantly merges a raw, offbeat coming-of-age narrative with burgeoning supernatural abilities, reminiscent of Eleven's journey. Despite its untimely cancellation after one season, Lillis's compelling performance makes this a memorable watch for fans of teen drama with a dark, powerful twist.
Stream I Am Not Okay With This on Netflix.
The Midnight Club (2022)
From horror maestro Mike Flanagan, The Midnight Club offers a poignant and spooky take on young people facing mortality and the unknown. Set in a hospice for terminally ill teenagers, the story follows eight patients who gather nightly to share scary stories. They make a pact: the first to die must send a sign from beyond the grave. Featuring Heather Langenkamp (A Nightmare on Elm Street), the series is a moving exploration of fear, friendship, and the afterlife. While it left some questions unanswered due to cancellation, its blend of youthful camaraderie and supernatural mystery resonates with the spirit of Stranger Things.
Stream The Midnight Club on Netflix.
School Spirits (2023 - )
Peyton List leads this intriguing series as Maddie, a Wisconsin teenager who finds herself stuck in the afterlife, specifically within her high school. Her new reality is a ghostly purgatory populated by other teen spirits from various eras, each with their own unresolved issues. Maddie's journey to solve her own murder unfolds across both the living and spectral worlds, uncovering layers of secrets and lies. Despite its grim premise, the show maintains a lively, engaging tone, exploring themes of identity and truth through a supernatural lens. It's a fresh take on the teen mystery genre, making it one of the more unique shows like 'Stranger Things' for its blend of mystery and the paranormal.
Stream School Spirits on Paramount+ or buy episodes from Prime Video.
Locke & Key (2020 - 2022)
Based on the acclaimed comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke & Key follows the three Locke siblings who, after their father's murder, move to their ancestral home in Matheson, Massachusetts. There, they discover magical keys that grant them various powers and abilities, but also awaken a malevolent entity determined to steal the keys for its own dark purposes. This series perfectly captures the blend of childhood wonder, family secrets, and escalating supernatural threats that fans of Stranger Things adore. It's a visually imaginative and emotionally resonant story about grief, power, and the bonds of family.
Stream Locke & Key on Netflix.
Mind-Bending Mysteries and Time-Travel Twists
The intricate mythology of Stranger Things, particularly its exploration of alternate dimensions and hidden histories, draws viewers into complex puzzles. For those who relish narratives that challenge perception and weave together multiple timelines or realities, these shows offer equally captivating enigmas.
Dark (2017 - 2020)
Hailing from Germany, Dark is a masterclass in complex narrative and atmospheric storytelling. What begins as a mystery surrounding a missing child in the town of Winden quickly spirals into a multi-generational saga involving time travel, dark family secrets, and existential paradoxes. While significantly darker and more intricate than Stranger Things, its shared interest in 1980s aesthetics, interconnected character arcs, and a deep, unfolding mystery makes it a compelling watch. The series demands attention but rewards viewers with a meticulously crafted, thought-provoking experience.
Stream Dark on Netflix.
Paper Girls (2022)
This critically acclaimed adaptation of Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang's comic book is perhaps the easiest recommendation for Stranger Things fans, despite its single-season run. Four young paper delivery girls in 1988 stumble upon a time-traveling conflict, inadvertently jumping to 2019. Targeted by warring factions, they must survive while confronting their own future selves and the potential to alter their timelines. The series perfectly captures the '80s setting, the camaraderie of young friends, and a high-stakes sci-fi adventure. It's a poignant and thrilling exploration of destiny and choice.
Stream Paper Girls on Prime Video.
Tales From the Loop (2020)
For a more meditative, visually stunning experience, Tales From the Loop is an exceptional choice. Based on Simon Stålenhag's conceptual art book, this anthology series (of sorts) unfolds in Mercer, Ohio, a town built above "the Loop," a physics lab exploring unexplained phenomena. Each episode delves into the lives of individuals and families impacted by the Loop's mysterious work, offering slow-burning, poignant stories about the intersection of technology and human existence. It's far quieter than Stranger Things, but its gorgeous aesthetic and profound exploration of the unknown will captivate those seeking thoughtful sci-fi.
Stream Tales from the Loop on Prime Video.
Alice in Borderland (2020 - )
If the perilous, alternate dimension of the Upside Down captivated you, then Alice in Borderland offers a similarly sinister parallel space, but with a more structured, deadly game. Video-game obsessed Arisu and his friends are transported to an eerily abandoned Tokyo, the titular Borderland, where they are forced to compete in sadistic games with fatal consequences. Failure means immediate death. The series masterfully crafts clever, high-stakes puzzles and explores the psychological toll of survival, making it a thrilling, action-packed alternative for those who enjoy the dark, challenging chaos of parallel realities. Its intricate rules and brutal consequences make it one of the most intense shows like 'Stranger Things' in terms of sheer survival stakes (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Stream Alice in Borderland on Netflix.
The OA (2016 - 2019)
The OA is a truly unique and mind-bending mystery that defies easy categorization. It follows Prairie Johnson, a young woman who returns home after being missing for seven years, now with her sight restored and a mysterious story to tell about her captivity and the existence of other dimensions. She recruits a group of local teenagers and her former high school teacher to help her with a secret mission. The series is a complex tapestry of sci-fi, fantasy, and philosophical inquiry, with a strong emphasis on character and the power of storytelling. Its enigmatic plot, dedicated fanbase, and exploration of parallel realities make it a compelling watch for those who appreciate the deeper, more spiritual aspects of shows like 'Stranger Things'.
Stream The OA on Netflix.
Retro Thrills and Animated Adventures
The nostalgic embrace of the 1980s and the imaginative world-building are cornerstones of Stranger Things. These next selections either lean into that retro charm with a horror twist or offer animated narratives that capture a similar sense of wonder, mystery, and youthful adventure.
Fear Street (2021 - )
More a cinematic trilogy than a traditional series, the Fear Street films are a direct homage to the retro-nostalgia horror popularized by Stranger Things. Adapted from R. L. Stine's books, the series begins in 1994, introducing the cursed town of Shadyside and a group of teens who accidentally awaken a murderous cult. With legitimate gore and scares, these films pay tribute to classic slasher movies while delivering a compelling overarching mystery that spans centuries. The trilogy, including Part Two: 1978 and Part Three: 1666, offers a satisfying, interconnected horror saga perfect for a binge.
Stream Fear Street Part One: 1994 on Netflix.
Goosebumps (2023 - )
R.L. Stine's other iconic horror franchise gets a modern, serialized adaptation that clearly takes cues from the success of Stranger Things. Moving away from the episodic anthology format of earlier versions, this series focuses on a new group of contemporary teens in a strange town who uncover a mystery from the past, encountering various monsters and scares along the way. Each season shifts to a new story and cast, but the core appeal remains: young protagonists facing genuinely freaky supernatural threats. It's a fun, accessible entry into teen horror that captures a similar spirit of adventure and danger.
Stream Goosebumps on Disney+.
Gravity Falls (2012 - 2016)
For those who love the mystery and supernatural elements but prefer an animated, family-friendly package, Gravity Falls is a must-watch. Twin siblings Mabel and Dipper Pines spend a summer with their eccentric great-uncle Stan, who runs a mystery-themed tourist trap. They soon discover the town is rife with supernatural phenomena and cryptic secrets, all leading to the ultimate antagonist, the dream demon Bill Cipher. This beloved series expertly blends humor, heart, and genuine scares, culminating in a satisfying, planned conclusion. Its blend of youthful curiosity and cosmic horror makes it a delightful animated counterpart to Stranger Things.
Stream Gravity Falls on Disney+ and Hulu.
Survival, Secrets, and Psychological Scares
The horror in Stranger Things isn't just about monsters; it's also about the psychological toll of extraordinary circumstances and the dark secrets people keep. These shows delve into intense survival scenarios and the unsettling truths that emerge under pressure, often with a supernatural undercurrent.
Yellowjackets (2021 - )
This critically acclaimed time-jumping survival drama explores the harrowing ordeal of a high school girls' soccer team whose plane crashes in the wilderness in 1996. The series meticulously details their descent into savagery to survive, juxtaposed with their adult counterparts in the present day, still haunted by the unspeakable acts committed. While the supernatural elements are often ambiguous, the sheer psychological horror and the unfolding mystery of "what really happened out there" are profoundly gripping. Yellowjackets offers a cynical, complex look at the past, contrasting sharply with the overt nostalgia of Stranger Things, but delivering equally intense thrills.
Stream Yellowjackets on Paramount+ (first two seasons also on Netflix) or buy episodes from Prime Video.
Pluribus (2025 - )
From the mind of Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad), Pluribus offers a unique sci-fi apocalypse with a deeply human core. Rhea Seehorn stars as Carol Sturka, a cynical fantasy romance author who finds herself one of only 13 people immune to "the Joining"--an alien virus that transforms humanity into a perpetually content hive mind. Carol's refusal to surrender her individuality and misery drives her fight to restore humanity to its flawed, authentic self. Though a complete tonal departure from Stranger Things, its exploration of what it means to be human in the face of an existential threat, combined with thrilling and often funny moments, makes it a surprisingly resonant watch. It addresses big questions about identity and the price of peace.
Stream Pluribus on Apple TV+.
Conclusion
The legacy of Stranger Things is undeniable, having carved out a special place in the hearts of viewers with its compelling characters, thrilling plots, and masterful blend of genres. While no show can perfectly replicate its magic, the series above offer diverse ways to recapture that feeling of wonder, fear, and adventure. Whether you're drawn to small-town mysteries, young heroes with powers, mind-bending sci-fi, or retro horror, there's a new obsession waiting. So dim the lights, grab your favorite snack, and prepare to dive into these incredible shows like 'Stranger Things' that promise to keep you on the edge of your seat.
