The German science-fiction thriller Dark quickly gained popularity worldwide due to its intriguing and complex storyline, well-developed characters, and stunning visuals. If you’re a huge fan and looking for shows like Dark to watch, then here’s a list of 12 shows you will enjoy. Have a look! One of the key elements that make Dark such a great show is its intricate plot.
The features of time-traveling themes, and the way it weaves together various storylines from different time periods, creates a mind-bending and suspenseful experience. The show has hauntingly beautiful cinematography and a soundtrack. Moreover, the characters in Dark add depth and authenticity to the story, featuring a large ensemble cast, every character has their own complex and flawed traits. Each with their own motivations and secrets that are gradually revealed throughout the series.
List of TV Shows Like Dark
1. Stranger Things (2016)
Stranger Things is often compared to Dark for just how exceptionally similar they are. From time travel, parallel universes, and mysterious disappearances, all that revolves around kids and their families. However, the 2 shows differ in tone and style. The show has garnered critical acclaim for its nostalgic 80s aesthetic, its compelling storyline, and its talented cast of actors, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder.
Stranger Things is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s. It revolves around the disappearance of a young boy named Will Byers and the investigation that ensues. The investigation leads to discovery of a mysterious supernatural world that threatens to destroy the town and its residents. Both shows also explore the themes of family, friendship, and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds making it the perfect pick for shows like Dark.
2. Black Summer (2019)
Black Summer is a Netflix original series that takes place during the early days of a zombie apocalypse. The show follows a group of strangers who band together to survive and make their way to a military evacuation site. The story is intense and fast-paced, with characters facing constant danger and uncertainty as they navigate a world overrun by the undead.
The characters are often forced to make difficult decisions in order to survive, and the show doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of a post-apocalyptic world. Similar to a series like Dark, Black Summer is a thrilling and gripping series that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
3. Archive 81 (2022)
Archive 81 is a horror anthology series that follows Dan Turner, an archivist tasked with digitising a collection of videotapes from the 1990s. Dan uncovers a series of bizarre and terrifying events that occurred at a New York City apartment complex. Every episode is a different story – With themes of possession, cults, time travel or parallel universes.
As Dan delves deeper into the archive, he becomes increasingly entangled in the supernatural events that occurred years ago, and must confront his own past in order to solve the mysteries of the archive. Archive 81 is great series similar to Dark due to the way it uses time travel, alternate dimension travel and its consequences.
Also Read: Shows like The Expanse
4. Black Spot (2017)
Black Spot, also known as Zone Blanche, is a French-Belgian mystery thriller set in the remote town of Villefranche. The town is located in a dense forest where technology doesn’t work, and strange things keep happening. Plagued with a high number of mysterious disappearances, murders, and supernatural occurrences, it is upon the local police chief of the town, Laurène Weiss, and her team to solve the mystery.
As the show progresses, the past of the town and its inhabitants begin to unravel, revealing dark secrets that connect them to the strange occurrences. Black Spot is a show similar to Dark where the nonlinear narrative induce deep secrets that are just as gripping and addictive to watch.
5. Homecoming (2018)
The psychological thriller series Homecoming featuring Julia Roberts as Heidi Bergman, a caseworker at a secret government facility called the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. The facility helps soldiers transition back into civilian life. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that not everything at Homecoming is as it seems.
The show runs in 2 timelines, one set in the past when Heidi worked at the facility, and one set in the present when she is no longer works there. As the mystery deepens, the truth behind what really happened at Homecoming is slowly revealed. Similar to a series like Dark, Homecoming speaks about the effects of trauma on individuals and brings out the dark secrets of the society.
6. Snowpiercer (2013)
Snowpiercer is set in a dystopian future where a catastrophic climate event has left the Earth uninhabitable. The surviving members of humanity are living aboard a perpetually moving train that travels across a frozen, desolate world. The train is divided into classes, with the wealthy and powerful living in luxury at the front of the train, while the poor and oppressed live in squalor at the back.
The story follows a revolution led by the lower-class passengers as they fight their way through the train, determined to reach the front and overthrow their oppressors. Along the way, they confront a host of challenges and dangers, including rival factions, harsh environmental conditions, and the ever-present threat of derailment. Exploring the consequences of humanity’s actions, Snowpiercer is a terrific series similar to Dark.
7. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Crain family moves into the eerie Hill House to renovate it, but find themselves haunted by its past and present ghosts. The Haunting of Hill House is a supernatural horror series that jumps back and forth between the past and present. We witness the traumatic events that drove the family apart and their attempts to confront their demons and unravel the secrets of the house.
With its gripping storyline, atmospheric setting, and compelling characters, The Haunting of Hill House is a chilling and emotionally resonant exploration of grief, trauma, and the supernatural. Haunting of Hill House is packed with suspense, unsettling atmosphere and you should definitely watch it after shows like Dark.
8. Counterpart (2017)
Counterpart is a sci-fi espionage set in a parallel universe. The parallel universe occurs when in the height of the Cold War, a mysterious experiment split the world in two. The story follows Howard Silk, a low-level UN employee who discovers that his organization hides a gateway to the alternate world.
Howard discovers a web of conspiracies, betrayal, and personal tragedies that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. With an impressive cast, including J.K. Simmons, Olivia Williams, and Harry Lloyd, Counterpart’s political intrigue is too good to miss for a fan of a series like Dark.
9. The OA (2016)
One of our personal favourites of this list is the show The OA. The show tells a story of Prairie Johnson, a blind woman who goes missing for 7 years and mysteriously returns with her sight restored. Prairie, who now calls herself The OA, recruits a group of local high school students to help her with a mission that involves supernatural elements and alternate dimensions.
The show explores sense of identity, trauma, faith, and human connection in ways beyond imagination. Similar to shows like Dark, The OA’s complex narratives, themes alternate realities, and spirituality are truly memorable, I highly recommend this series to you. If you’ve already seen this one, check out our list of shows like The OA.
10. The Expanse (2015)
The Expanse is a sci-fi tv series set in a future where humanity has colonized the solar system. A police detective, a ship’s captain, and a UN executive navigate political tensions and a mysterious alien threat. The show well known for it’s realistic depiction of space travel.
The characters explore the vast expanse of space, they uncover conspiracies and secrets that threaten to destroy their fragile peace. The Expanse is an action-oriented show and while it’s not as similar to a series like Dark, the neverending feel of the world and intrigue are enough to keep you hooked.
11. Glitch (2015)
When a group of people rise from the dead in the small town of Yoorana (seemingly unaffected by their deaths) A police officer James Hayes is tasked with investigating their mysterious resurrection while keeping it hidden from the rest of the world. Quite the ‘Glitch’ in the world, the officer discover dark secrets buried in Yoorana.
These ressurections spiral the moralities of the characters. Shown in a cynical nature, Glitch much like a Dark is series with a sense of impending doom that looms. The show may not have anything to do with time-travel but that does not mean that you won;t enjoy watch it after a series like Dark.
12. Doctor Who (2005)
Doctor Who is a long-running british sci-fi TV show that originally aired in 1963. ‘Doctor’, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time machine disguised as a blue British police box. The series renews and recasts the main characters after every few years.
The Doctor is usually accompanied by various companions, and together they face a range of foes, from aliens and robots to ghosts and demons, while also exploring different planets and timelines. The show has become a cultural phenomenon and is another amazng series similar to Dark.
Honourable Mentions
Here are a few shows like Dark that didn’t make this list, but you can check them out nonetheless:
- 12 Monkeys
- Curon
- Continuum
