12 Shows to Watch If You Love 'Stranger Things'
- Joao Nsita
- 13 hours ago
- 13 min read
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a decade since the world first descended into the glowing, synth-drenched world of the Upside Down. Stranger Things was not just a television show; it was a full-blown cultural phenomenon, a perfectly crafted love letter to 80s nostalgia that captured the hearts and minds of a generation. The series, with its masterful blend of sci-fi horror, heartfelt coming-of-age drama, and the unforgettable, ride-or-die friendship of the Hawkins kids, created a new standard for event television. As we await the final, epic conclusion of the saga in late 2025, a familiar feeling sets in for fans: the dreaded "show hangover." What could possibly fill the void left by our favorite characters and the wonderfully terrifying world they inhabit?
The good news is that the very success of Stranger Things has inspired a new wave of incredible, genre-bending television. The trends it helped to ignite are now thriving across the cultural landscape. The "Kids on Bikes" adventure genre is back in a big way, and the "Small Town with a Dark Secret" trope has become a beloved staple of modern storytelling. On TikTok and Pinterest, the 80s Nostalgia aesthetic continues to dominate, while the "Found Family" trope—a group of misfits who form their own unbreakable bonds—has become one of the most celebrated themes in modern fiction. This list is your definitive guide to the twelve best shows to watch if you love Stranger Things. Presented in descending order, these are the series that will give you that same magical blend of mystery, adventure, and heart that made you fall in love with Hawkins in the first place.
We hope you find this article a helpful guide for your next binge-watch! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create insightful and entertaining content.
12. Derry Girls (2018–2022)
The Vibe: A hilarious, heartfelt, and historically grounded coming-of-age story about a group of friends in a very specific time and place.
The Stranger Things Connection: On the surface, a sitcom about a group of Catholic schoolgirls in 1990s Northern Ireland during The Troubles seems worlds away from a sci-fi horror show about monsters from another dimension. But the true, beating heart of both series is exactly the same: a tight-knit, fiercely loyal group of friends trying to navigate the absurdities and anxieties of their teenage years against a backdrop of real-world fear and political turmoil. For the kids in Hawkins, the threat is the Demogorgon; for the kids in Derry, it’s a British army checkpoint on the way to school. Both groups use humor, sarcasm, and an unbreakable bond to find joy and normalcy in a world that is anything but. Derry Girls is a masterclass in blending laugh-out-loud comedy with poignant, historically grounded drama. If you love the core friendship dynamic and the 80s period setting of Stranger Things, you will adore the 90s nostalgia and the incredible found family of Derry Girls. The show’s brilliant writing is a quality it shares with the best TV comedies of the 2010s.
Stream Derry Girls now on Netflix.
11. The Big Door Prize (2023–2024)
The Vibe: A quirky, character-driven dramedy about a small town grappling with a mysterious, life-altering event.
The Stranger Things Connection: If your favorite part of Stranger Things is the way it explores how a strange, supernatural event affects the everyday lives of the residents of a small town, then The Big Door Prize is a perfect next watch. The series is set in the quiet, unassuming town of Deerfield, whose residents' lives are thrown into chaos by the sudden appearance of a mysterious machine called the "Morpho." The machine promises to tell each user their true "Life Potential." What follows is a funny, heartfelt, and often profound exploration of how these revelations force the townspeople to question their choices, their relationships, and their entire identities. Like Stranger Things, the show is less about the mystery of the machine itself and more about the human element—the focus is on the characters, their families, and how they react to something that cannot be easily explained. It’s a wonderful, character-driven dramedy that captures that "small town with a big secret" vibe perfectly.
Stream The Big Door Prize now on Apple TV+.
10. Manifest (2018–2023)
The Vibe: A high-concept, serialized mystery with a supernatural, sci-fi twist.
The Stranger Things Connection: Manifest is a show that is built on a massive, central mystery that will keep you guessing. The series follows the passengers of Montego Air Flight 828 who, after experiencing a bit of turbulence, land to discover that five and a half years have passed for the rest of the world. For them, no time has passed at all. As they struggle to reintegrate into a world that has moved on without them, they begin to experience strange "callings" and develop mysterious abilities that connect them to a larger, unfolding conspiracy. Like Stranger Things, Manifest is a compelling speculative drama that is driven by its central mystery. The passengers of Flight 828, like Eleven, have gained powers they don't fully understand and are on a quest to find answers about what happened to them. It’s a show that is packed with shocking reveals, high stakes, and a sprawling mythology that will appeal to any fan who loves the intricate, puzzle-box nature of the Hawkins saga. The show’s ability to create a compelling, long-form mystery is a quality it shares with the best detective shows of the 2010s.
Stream Manifest now on Netflix.
9. Shadow and Bone (2021–2023)
The Vibe: A sprawling, YA-to-adult crossover fantasy with a "chosen one" at its center.
The Stranger Things Connection: If your favorite character in Stranger Things is Eleven, then Shadow and Bone is an excellent next watch. The series is a beautiful and immersive fantasy that centers on Alina Starkov, a young woman who discovers she is a "Grisha," a person with magical abilities, and that she possesses a very rare and powerful ability to summon light. Her journey from an unknown orphan to a powerful, world-saving figure is a classic "chosen one" narrative that will feel very familiar to fans of El's story. Both shows feature a young, powerful female protagonist who must learn to control her incredible abilities while being hunted by a dark, charismatic, and manipulative villain. While Shadow and Bone is high fantasy rather than sci-fi horror, its fast-paced action, its incredible world-building, and its focus on a strong, compelling central character make it a perfect fit for the Stranger Things audience. The show is a brilliant adaptation of its source material, a quality explored in this list of 10 must-see Netflix adaptations.
Stream Shadow and Bone now on Netflix.
8. Orphan Black (2013–2017)
The Vibe: A fast-paced, high-stakes, and brilliantly acted sci-fi conspiracy thriller.
The Stranger Things Connection: For fans who love the government conspiracy and "secret lab" elements of Stranger Things, Orphan Black is an absolute must-watch. The series follows Sarah Manning, a street-wise con artist who discovers she is one of a series of clones and finds herself at the center of a massive, dangerous conspiracy. The show is a thrilling, non-stop ride, packed with shocking twists and a sprawling mythology. The heart of the show, however, is the tour-de-force, Emmy-winning performance by Tatiana Maslany, who plays all of the numerous, incredibly distinct clones. Like Eleven, Sarah is a compelling protagonist who is on a quest to uncover the secrets of her own origins, all while being hunted by a powerful and shadowy organization. It’s a smart, stylish, and incredibly binge-worthy series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Stream Orphan Black now on AMC+.
External Link: The official IMDb page for Orphan Black is a great place to explore the incredible cast and the show's numerous awards.
7. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023–)
The Vibe: A fun, fast-paced, and charming fantasy adventure about a group of kids forced to save the world.
The Stranger Things Connection: Based on the beloved book series by Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson and the Olympians is another excellent coming-of-age show that sees a group of kids forced to confront a massive, world-threatening danger. The story follows twelve-year-old Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. He is sent to a summer camp for demigods, where he quickly befriends a satyr named Grover and the brilliant daughter of Athena, Annabeth. The trio is almost immediately sent on a dangerous quest to prevent a war among the gods. The core of the show, like Stranger Things, is the incredible "found family" dynamic between its three young leads. It’s a story about friendship, courage, and a group of kids who are forced to be braver than they ever thought possible. It’s a fun, fast-paced, and charming adventure that perfectly captures that "kids on a mission" vibe. The show’s incredible, heartfelt story is as moving as the best songs from Ed Sheeran.
Stream Percy Jackson and the Olympians now on Disney+.
6. The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024)
The Vibe: A stylish, surreal, and hilarious superhero show about a dysfunctional found family.
The Stranger Things Connection: The Umbrella Academy is a perfect next watch for fans who are interested in seeing more stories about a group of super-powered individuals who were raised in a difficult, experimental environment. The series follows the seven Hargreeves siblings, who were all adopted by a cold, eccentric billionaire and raised to be a superhero team. As adults, they are a deeply dysfunctional and traumatized group of people who are forced to reunite to stop a series of impending apocalypses. Like Eleven and the other kids from Hawkins Lab, the Hargreeves siblings have a complicated and often painful relationship with their powers and their traumatic childhoods. The show is a brilliant blend of high-concept, time-traveling sci-fi, explosive action, and a surprisingly heartfelt exploration of family trauma and the power of a found family. Its incredible soundtrack is also a huge part of its appeal, a quality it shares with some of our favorite music-driven movies.
Stream The Umbrella Academy now on Netflix.
5. I Am Not Okay With This (2020)
The Vibe: A dark, funny, and deeply relatable coming-of-age story with a telekinetic twist.
The Stranger Things Connection: This is a show that feels like it exists in the same spiritual universe as Stranger Things. Based on a graphic novel by Charles Forsman (the same author as The End of the F*ing World), the series follows Syd, a cynical and awkward teenage girl who is grieving the recent death of her father and navigating her own budding sexuality. On top of all this, she discovers that she has uncontrollable telekinetic powers that manifest whenever she feels angry or anxious. The show has a brilliant, slightly retro, 80s-inspired aesthetic, and its focus on a teenage girl with powers that are directly tied to her emotional state will feel incredibly familiar to fans of Eleven. The show is a brilliant blend of dark, deadpan humor and a genuinely moving, character-driven story. Though it was tragically cancelled after one season, its seven short, binge-worthy episodes tell a complete and incredibly compelling story.
Stream I Am Not Okay With This now on Netflix.
4. Severance (2022–)
The Vibe: A chilling, thought-provoking, and deeply suspenseful sci-fi mystery.
The Stranger Things Connection: For fans who love the mystery, the suspense, and the "creepy corporation" elements of Stranger Things, there is no better show to watch than Severance. This Apple TV+ masterpiece is a chilling, mind-bending thriller that will keep you hooked from its very first, unsettling frame. The series follows Mark Scout, an employee at the mysterious Lumon Industries who has undergone a procedure that surgically separates his work memories from his personal memories. After his best friend at work suddenly disappears, Mark and his colleagues begin to question the true nature of their work and the sinister company they work for. Like Stranger Things, the show is a masterclass in building suspense and a sense of creeping dread. It’s a show that is packed with unforgettable characters, mind-bending plot twists, and a central mystery that will have you creating your own conspiracy-theory boards. It is, without a doubt, one of the best shows of the decade.
Stream Severance now on Apple TV+.
External Link: The official IMDb page for Severance is a great place to see the show's incredible cast and its universally high episode ratings.
3. Yellowjackets (2021-Present)
The Vibe: A brilliant, terrifying, and wildly addictive blend of 90s nostalgia, survival horror, and psychological mystery.
The Stranger Things Connection: Yellowjackets is a show that is in direct conversation with Stranger Things. It is a story that unfolds across two timelines. In 1996, a high school girls' soccer team is stranded in the wilderness after a plane crash. In the present day, the adult survivors are haunted by the horrific and possibly supernatural things they did to survive. The show is a perfect blend of a coming-of-age story set in the past and a modern-day mystery. Like Stranger Things, it masterfully uses nostalgia (in this case, for the 90s) to create a specific, evocative mood. It features a brilliant ensemble cast of young actors and their adult counterparts, and its central mystery—what really happened out there in the woods?—is just as compelling and as terrifying as the mysteries of the Upside Down. It’s a dark, complex, and incredibly binge-worthy series that is a must-watch.
Stream Yellowjackets now on Paramount+ with Showtime.
External Link: The fan-run Yellowjackets Wiki is a fantastic resource for tracking the show's many mysteries and fan theories.
2. Paper Girls (2022)
The Vibe: The ultimate "Kids on Bikes" adventure, a heartfelt, female-led, 80s nostalgia trip.
The Stranger Things Connection: Based on the beloved comic book series by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, Paper Girls is perhaps the show that is most aesthetically and thematically similar to Stranger Things. The series follows four 12-year-old newspaper delivery girls in 1988 who, on the morning after Halloween, get caught in the crossfire of a war between rival factions of time-travelers and are accidentally transported to the future. Like Stranger Things, the show is a perfect execution of the "Kids on Bikes" genre. It features a tight-knit group of friends in a specific, nostalgic, historical setting who are forced to confront a massive, world-altering sci-fi threat. The show is a beautiful, heartfelt, and action-packed story about friendship and destiny. Though it was cancelled after one incredible season, it tells a compelling and emotionally satisfying story that any Stranger Things fan will absolutely adore. The show’s brilliant, heartfelt story is as moving as the best songs from Ed Sheeran.
Stream Paper Girls now on Amazon Prime Video.
1. Dark (2017-2020)
The Vibe: A complex, mind-bending, and masterpiece-level German sci-fi thriller.
The Stranger Things Connection: Taking the top spot on our list is the show that is almost universally recommended as the ultimate "what to watch after Stranger Things." The German-language Netflix original, Dark, begins with a familiar premise: in a small, claustrophobic town, a child goes missing, an event that begins to expose the fractured relationships and dark secrets of the four families at the town's center. But what starts as a simple mystery quickly spirals into a mind-bending, multi-generational, time-travel saga involving a vast and complex conspiracy.
If you love the intricate plotting, the small-town secrets, and the dark, atmospheric tone of Stranger Things, then Dark is your perfect next binge. It is a show that takes those elements and dials the complexity up to eleven. It is a dense, challenging, and incredibly rewarding series that requires your full attention. It is a true puzzle-box show, a masterpiece of long-form, serialized storytelling that has been hailed by critics as one of the greatest science fiction series ever made. For its brilliant writing, its masterful direction, and its perfect, haunting atmosphere, Dark is the number one show to watch if you love Stranger Things. The show’s incredible, character-driven story is a quality it shares with the best of the 2020s TV comedies.
Stream Dark now on Netflix.
External Link: The official Netflix page for Dark is a great place to start your journey into this incredible series.
Conclusion
The magic of Stranger Things is a rare and special thing, a perfect storm of nostalgia, horror, and heart that captured the imagination of the entire world. While the end of the series will be a sad moment for fans, the twelve shows on this list are a testament to the enduring power of the genres and themes it helped to revitalize. From the found families of demigods and pirates to the small-town secrets of Germany and the time-traveling adventures of paper girls, the spirit of Hawkins lives on. These are stories that will thrill you, move you, and remind you of the profound, adventurous magic of a great story, and the unbreakable bonds of the friends who help you face the monsters.
We hope you found this article a helpful and useful guide! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create insightful and entertaining content.
For more on finding the perfect show or movie to watch, check out these other articles from That Love Podcast:
FAQs
Which of these shows is the most similar to Stranger Things? Paper Girls is arguably the most aesthetically and thematically similar, with its focus on a group of kids in the 80s who get swept up in a sci-fi adventure. Dark is also incredibly similar in its "small town with a missing child and a secret conspiracy" premise, though it is much more complex and adult in tone.
Are all these shows scary? No. While some, like Severance and Dark, are intense and suspenseful psychological thrillers, and Yellowjackets has survival horror elements, many on the list are not scary. Shows like Percy Jackson, Derry Girls, and The Big Door Prize are much lighter in tone.
Are these shows suitable for the whole family to watch together? It depends on the show. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a great family-friendly adventure. Most of the other shows on this list, however, are intended for mature, teen and adult audiences and contain violence, strong language, and adult themes.
I love the 80s nostalgia of Stranger Things. What other shows on this list have that? Paper Girls is set in 1988 and is steeped in 80s nostalgia. I Am Not Okay With This also has a strong, 80s-inspired visual aesthetic.
What does "found family" mean? The "found family" is a popular storytelling trope where a group of unrelated people, often misfits or outcasts, come together to form their own deep, supportive, family-like bonds. Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy, and Percy Jackson are all great examples of this.
Are any of these shows based on books or comics? Yes, a large number are. Shadow and Bone (books by Leigh Bardugo), The Umbrella Academy (comics by Gerard Way), I Am Not Okay With This (graphic novel by Charles Forsman), Paper Girls (comics by Brian K. Vaughan), and Percy Jackson and the Olympians (books by Rick Riordan) are all based on popular source material.
Which of these shows were cancelled after one season? Unfortunately, both Paper Girls and I Am Not Okay With This were cancelled after their first seasons, despite critical acclaim and a strong fan following. However, both seasons tell a compelling and relatively self-contained story.
I'm looking for a show that is less sci-fi and more comedy. Which should I watch? Derry Girls is a pure, hilarious sitcom and a fantastic choice. The Big Door Prize is also a dramedy with a strong comedic sensibility.
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