11 Series Similar to Stranger Things to Binge-watch

Since its 2016 debut, Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon and has raised the bar for original productions. The series masterfully blends pure ’80s nostalgia, a charismatic young cast, and an engaging plot that mixes monsters, mystery, sci-fi, and the power of friendship.

Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the story follows a group of friends as they uncover the secrets of the Upside Down and face creatures like the Demogorgon and the terrifying Vecna. The show not only entertains but also pays constant homage to the classics of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.

With the saga nearing its conclusion, the final two volumes of Season 5 will be released on milestone dates such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

As Stranger Things approaches its end, the demand for new mystery and adventure series grows. That is why we’ve compiled 11 alternatives that capture its essence: young protagonists, supernatural secrets, and charming small towns.

It is the perfect list to help you find your next paranormal drama obsession.

The Umbrella Academy

The Umbrella Academy, created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá, is a Netflix sci-fi series that moves away from traditional superhero concepts. The story follows the dysfunctional Hargreeves siblings, superpowered adoptees who reunite after the mysterious death of their father Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Their tense reunion quickly turns into a race to stop an apocalypse fueled by time travel and the creation of multiple alternate timelines.

Known for its eccentric visuals, humor, and unexpected musical moments, the show explores the dramatic and comedic consequences of manipulating time over four seasons. It shares similarities with Stranger Things because both center on young misfits with supernatural abilities who face apocalyptic threats and encounter secret organizations while blending character-driven drama, sci-fi, and strong musical references.

Locke & Key

Based on the comic series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke & Key follows Nina Locke and her children as they move to the Keyhouse mansion in Massachusetts after a family tragedy. The house hides a collection of magical keys that open portals and grant unique powers, abilities sought by dark forces that threaten the family. The show stands out for its young cast and its mix of supernatural mystery with coming-of-age challenges.

Here we have young misfits facing supernatural threats in small-town settings, filled with mystery and fantasy.

The Midnight Club

The Midnight Club, a series by Mike Flanagan based on the work of Christopher Pike, is set in 1994 at a hospice for terminally ill teenagers. The protagonist Ilonka joins the Midnight Club, where patients share horror stories and make a pact regarding the afterlife while investigating the facility’s dark past. The series was canceled after its first season because Flanagan left for Amazon.

This series resembles Stranger Things because it focuses on a young cast investigating sinister mysteries in a nostalgic setting, with friendship growing stronger amid danger and the supernatural.

Lockwood & Co.

Lockwood & Co., based on Jonathan Stroud’s novels, takes place in a haunted United Kingdom where the nation is paralyzed by the rise of ghosts whose touch is deadly. Only teenagers can detect them, which makes them essential ghost hunters for the country’s survival.

This premise of young protagonists saving the day is reminiscent of Stranger Things, although Lockwood & Co. leans more toward British supernatural fantasy instead of sci-fi.

Despite strong approval from critics and audiences, Netflix canceled the series after its first season because of low viewership. The numbers did not meet the platform’s goals and the adaptation ended prematurely, disappointing fans of the five original books.

Raising Dion

Raising Dion, from Netflix, is based on Dennis Liu’s comic and follows Nicole Warren, a single mother who must protect her son Dion after he begins to manifest mysterious superpowers such as telekinesis and energy manipulation. Nicole struggles to hide Dion’s abilities from sinister forces and to uncover the connection between her husband’s death and the entity known as the Crooked Man. The show blends family drama, the challenges of single motherhood, and superhero action.

Both series focus on a child with special abilities who becomes the main target of supernatural threats and secret organizations. They also strongly emphasize protecting the child while exploring the young protagonist’s growth as they learn to control their powers in situations of extreme danger.

Dark

Dark, the German Netflix series, is a complex work of science fiction that follows four families in the town of Winden. The story begins with the disappearance of a child in 2019, which connects to similar events in 1986 and 1953. The series quickly evolves into a dark and ambitious narrative about time travel, family secrets, and an impending apocalypse, delivering three seasons filled with enigmas.

Stranger Things and Dark share a similar starting point: the disappearance of a child in a small, isolated town that opens the door to complex sci-fi phenomena. The setting in 1986 also evokes the ’80s atmosphere seen in Stranger Things, and the plot involves a physical portal closely tied to the mystery.

Daybreak

Daybreak is a post-apocalyptic Netflix comedy based on the graphic novel by Brian Ralph. The story unfolds in Glendale after a bomb turns all adults into “Ghoulies” (zombies). The protagonist, Josh Wheeler, an ordinary teenager, searches for his girlfriend Sam while teaming up with misfits Angelica and Wesley. The series uses fourth-wall breaks and satire to portray a world divided into teen factions inspired by high school cliques. Unfortunately, it was canceled after one season due to low reception among critics and viewers.

The focus on outcast teenagers who must join forces to confront non-human threats is what connects both productions. They rely heavily on nostalgia and references to 1980s pop culture. Their plots also involve uncovering conspiracies or the scientific origins of the chaos, pushing these teens to take on major responsibilities.

Mortel

Mortel is a French Netflix supernatural drama from 2019. It follows teenagers Sofiane, Victor, and Luisa as they investigate the murder of Sofiane’s brother. Desperate for answers, Sofiane and Victor make a pact with the voodoo god Obé and gain supernatural powers to uncover the truth. The series blends supernatural elements with crime investigation and teenage conflict.

Both shows feature groups of teen investigators who come together to confront supernatural forces and hidden mysteries, and both sets of protagonists develop superpowers. Each series successfully mixes teen drama with a powerful hidden threat and fantasy elements, creating storylines centered on uncovering dark secrets.

The Society

The Society is a Netflix series that begins when a group of teenagers from West Ham is mysteriously transported to an isolated replica of their town with no adults and no contact with the outside world. Forced to survive and build a new social order, the teens struggle against chaos, anarchy, and violence. The series examines leadership and the breakdown of civilization through a teenage lens but was canceled after the first season due to the pandemic.

Both Stranger Things and The Society place teens at the center of a deep existential crisis in which they must make adult decisions in a world that suddenly becomes isolated and mysterious. Both also emphasize the importance of loyalty and friendship for survival in dangerous environments.

The OA

Released in 2016, The OA, created by and starring Brit Marling, follows Prairie Johnson, who returns after seven years missing with her vision restored and calling herself “OA” (Original Angel). She gathers five misfits to teach them ritual movements meant to open an extradimensional portal and rescue other victims held captive by the scientist Hap. The series blends mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy but was canceled after two seasons.

In both series, the core of the plot centers on an enigmatic female protagonist with unique abilities such as telekinesis and interdimensional travel who becomes the target of dark scientific experiments. The narratives rely heavily on groups of young misfits who unite to confront threats involving portals and alternate dimensions.

Alice in Borderland

Based on Haro Aso’s manga, Alice in Borderland follows Ryōhei Arisu and his friends, who are transported to a deserted alternate version of Tokyo. To survive, they must participate in deadly games ranked by playing card suits. Arisu forms a strong bond with the climber Usagi and seeks to uncover the truth behind the games. The series is praised for its mix of action, graphic violence, and emotional drama.

The protagonists in both series are young misfits who find themselves trapped in a dangerous alternate reality. They face threats controlled by hidden forces and must rely on intelligence and mutual loyalty to survive.

If you are a Stranger Things fan looking to fill the void the series left behind, we have plenty of titles that follow its successful narrative style. These shows are perfect for keeping the spirit of nostalgia, mystery, and supernatural adventure alive.

See you next time!