Stranger Things by The Duffer Brothers was released in 2016 and quickly caught the attention of the whole world, apparently coming out from nowhere.
There are not a lot of series like Stranger Things; its popularity can only be imagined by the fact that when season two of the show came out 2017, it was watched by as many as 15.8 million people. And this was only within the first three days.
The show is set in the 1980s and follows the lives of young kids who are trying to save a close friend from an alternate dimension as well as the creatures that live there. They get the assistance of a girl named Eleven, who also has some special powers.
Stranger Things is a show which stands out because of its uncompromising commitment to the culture and mood of the ‘80s.
This show is more than just a horror story set in the past; it actually makes you feel like you’re with the children, playing a racy game like Dungeons & Dragons- or living a live-action Ghostbusters. If you like Stranger Things we are sure you will also like the shows given below:
Here are the Best Series Like Stranger Things:
Wayward Pines
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If you like Duffer Brothers, then there is no better show to try out than the well known- Wayward Pines- a Fox series in which the directors pretty much cut their teeth.
The show has been produced by M. Night Shyamalan and has successfully tapped into a number of small-town mysteries just like Stranger Things.
The show tells the story of FBI agent Ethan Burke, who goes over to Idaho to investigate a disappearance but gets entangled in the small town, unable to leave it.
The show lasted only two seasons and some people might say that it lost its footing midway but Shyamalan’s production has some of the most interesting plot twists, that are worth a watch.
Lock & Key
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Lock & Key is based on a comic back with the same name. This is the third series produced by the famous IBW Entertainment. This series carries mixed tones and moods- all of which easily make it a show with something to enjoy for everyone.
From dark undertones to colorful fantasy elements, including some charming teenagers with superpowers- everything about the show riles you in.
The show is about three Locke siblings- Bode, Kinsey, and Tyler who move to their ancestral home soon after the murder of their dad- Rendell Locke.
They discover three magical keys which hold unimaginable powers, and which must be protected from an evil creature who wants the keys for his devilish plans.
October Faction
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This show has also been created by IDW Entertainment. October Faction has the same dark elements akin to Stranger Things- however, you can expect to come across a lot more monsters than places like Upside Down. The series is rather ‘woke’ so if you’re one of those people who want to join the elite smart-heads, then do watch October Faction.
Monster hunters- Deloris and Fred Allen are traveling around the world and return to New York after the death of Fred’s father along with their teenage kids- Viv and Geoff. The family adjusts to this new relocation with Fred and Deloris struggling to keep their identity a secret. But will upstate New York prove to be the right setting for this twisted group to start over?
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
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We are sure you have heard of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The people of Netflix have brought this amazing character back to create a dark, spooky tale.
The show was developed initially to accompany Riverdale on The CW, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina has taken inspiration from the more recent, faintly haunting Archie Comics.
Sabrina Spellman is a teenager who finds herself stuck between her destiny as a witch and high school. She has a loving boyfriend and mortal friends, but she also has an important part to play in the plans that the Dark Lord has for the mortal world.
Just like Stranger Things, this show also has numerous small town adventures that showcase the world of the unknown.
The Umbrella Academy
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This series is often listed with the best shows of 2019. The American show- Umbrella Academy is one of our most highly recommended shows for people to watch while they are waiting for the next installment of Stranger Things.
What more, the second season of this show will be out in 2020, so we have the added benefit of a continuous watch. 43 infants are inexplicably born to women who previously showed no signs of being pregnant.
7 of these infants are taken in by Sir Reginald Hargreeves who goes on to create The Umbrella Academy, the role of Sir Reginald is providing these children with a safe home while they get trained to use their powers in world protection. When he mysteriously dies, all of his children come together to find the secret behind his sudden demise.
Channel Zero
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All of us have seen shows and movies that have successfully given us Goosebumps during our childhood- but this is something we accept since they are only fiction.
This might not be so in Channel Zero which brings to life the terrifying stories from infamous creepypasta which originated in various online forums.
Each season of the show is a self-contained story. The very first season is called Candle Cove which shows the story of children who have gone missing as well as a spine-chilling TV series for children.
No-End House from season two talks about a house of horrors that has become a popular tourist attraction. Channel Zero has two more seasons which are best watched than explained.
The OA
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This puzzling fantast series first premiered on Netflix in December 2016. The show received mixed reviews, with some people absolutely loving it and the rest completely unable to tolerate the twisted plot.
If you have a quick imagination that wants to be stimulated, then there is no better show than the thought-provoking OA. The only hitch is that further seasons of this show have been canceled.
The show gives us the story of the blind Prairie Johnson, who disappeared seven years ago leaving no trace behind. Now she is back with her vision inexplicably restored- considered by many people an absolute miracle.
But there is a lot more than what appears on the surface since other than her vision Praire also gained the ability to jump between dimensions.
Fringe
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If you’re looking for a spooky show which is also able to take you into alternate worlds, then we recommend that you check out all the five seasons of Fringe.
The primary plot of the series seems to be inspired by X-Files, showing a federal task force that has been charged to monitor any infiltrations into our reality from the external world in order to contain them.
The show has an amazing cast with the likes of John Noble, who have raised the show much above its own conception. The show gets even more tricky as we proceed and see the parallel-dimension versions of the main characters being incorporated into the plot of the show.
Although the fifth season might have taken things a bit too far- the show still remains a must-watch.
Raising Dion
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Raising Dion was an instant hit with the subscribers of Netflix in the fall of 2019- so much so that many people are eagerly looking forward to the next season.
The show has been created by Carol Barbee and casts Jason Ritter, Alisha Wainwright, Ja’Siah Young, Sammi Haney, Gavin Munn, and Michael B. Jordan.
After the death of Mark Reese, his wife Nicole finds herself single-handedly raising her son Dion. This job only gets more difficult when Nicole suddenly starts displaying certain superhero powers and abilities.
Nicole must now protect her son and keep him safe from the reach of negative forces that wish to abuse his powers.
Hannibal
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Before the infamous Hannibal Lecter was the most famous resident of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, he was only a food-loving psychiatrist, trying out new dishes every day.
The show is based on the critically acclaimed film- “Silence of the Lambs” which itself was taken from the novels of Thomas Harris.
Hannibal is not meant for people who have faint hearts, the show is gory and very disturbing- it’s surprising that it managed to pass NBC censors. Everything taken into account, it is a well-acted show that has given us some impressive performances from people like Mads Mikkelsen, Hugh Dancy, Laurence Fishburne, Gillian Anderson, and more.
The show must also be commended for its beautiful direction with scenes that almost take you back to Upside Down in Stranger Things.
Misfits
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One thing about Stranger Things which makes it so likable is the honesty with which it has chosen to portray its young characters as judgmental, flawed human beings who are only trying to keep the order in their life together.
If this is the kind of personal vibe you are looking for then the British TV show- Misfits might be your best bet.
An unprecedented freak storm hits London, and people end up getting all sorts of supernatural powers with five delinquents having to deal with the consequences. The series couldn’t make it through as well as we would have liked it too- with cast members leaving the show.
However, the better episodes of the show are still very endearing, touching, and fun to watch. If you do not like to hassle too much about what you watch and are ready to experiment, then we highly recommend this show.
Supernatural
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Supernatural is a dark-fantasy show created by Eric Kripke that broke many records upon its release. This show has been a great success for The CW network even from its first episode.
Just like the name suggests, the show is a perfect combination of all kinds of supernatural and fantastical creatures that one can think of. The series shows the lives of the Winchester brothers- Sam and Deal.
The siblings lost their mother at a young age as she was attacked by a demon; the brothers then grew up to take over the legacy of their demon-hunter father and travel the shadowy alleys of the United States to battle unusual characters. The show has 14 consecutive seasons, with more to come- clearly a big hit among its viewers!
Sense8
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This is an original Netflix series, from the famous Matrix pair- Wachowskis. Sense8 is actually the polar opposite of Stranger Things in a number of ways.
The show is not confined to a small town but takes place globally and has one of the most diverse Sci-fi casts in recent years. Although these two shows have different vibes, they both manage to help us feel connected with their characters.
Just like the human bond between Eleven and Mike gives soul to Stranger Things, there are certain sentimental elements in Sense8 as well. The show is about eight random individuals who find themselves linked to each other through shared psychic powers.
This gifted bunch of people is hunted by a shady government agency from which it must protect itself.
Twin Peaks
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One of David Lynch’s milestones, this 1991 series pretty much set the standards for all the small-town supernatural thrillers that were made after. The show has an amazing cult following, but despite its popularity and wide acclaim Lynch restricted himself to creating only two seasons.
25 years later, however, the show returned with the likes of Laura Dern, Trent Reznor, and Brett Gelman.
FBI agent- Dale Cooper- comes to a logging town in Washington to help investigate the murder of a high-schooler. However, the man is quickly drawn to the interpersonal happenings within the town along with the frightening business dealings of residents who are rather quirky.
The show is one of the best mixtures of funny and spooky- making it a must-watch for people who want to explore the roots of the genre.
The Leftovers
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Another thing that Stranger Things dealt with very well was how its world went on despite the regular bizarre occurrences. Another show which has dealt with these factors, in the same manner, is HBO’s The Leftovers, which is based on the novel by Tom Perrotta.
The show starts with the disappearance of 2 percent of the planet’s population- without any possible cause- leaving the people left behind to mourn their loss. The show stars Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon, among others, who have delivered some amazing performances.
Conclusion:
If you’re one of us and simply cannot wait for the next season of Stranger Things to be out then you have come to the right place. Before this show releases its latest season, which we are sure you will power through- you can always give the shows mentioned above a try.
These shows are similar to Stranger Things and carry the same theme and mood.
These shows go beyond being nifty science fiction series with a touch of nostalgia. They have amazing plotlines, with the actors having delivered some of the best performances seen in the entertainment world. Try them out today to pick your favorite one.