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20 Thrilling Sci-Fi Shows like Stranger Things To Watch Now

shows like stranger things

Stranger Things is a popular show that has captured the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. The show’s unique blend of science fiction, horror, and nostalgia for the 80s has earned it a loyal following. If you’re a fan and want to see shows like Stranger Things, then for your consideration, we have curated an incredible list of 20 shows you should be watching. Have a look! 

Following a group of kids in Hawkins, Indiana, who uncover supernatural events in their small town, this well-produced series features a talented ensemble cast, with breakout performances from young actors like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard. The show’s use of classic 80s music and pop culture creates nostalgia. This show is a cultural phenomenon, and we hope our list provides you with shows like Stranger Things you will enjoy just as much.

List of Shows Like Stranger Things

1. Dark (2017)

The German show Dark is a twisted, time-travelling thriller that follows the events of a small town after the disappearance of two children. The story quickly unravels as secrets from the past are revealed, and the complex relationships between the town’s families are exposed. If you’ve already seen it, check out our list of shows like Dark.

The show jumps between multiple timelines, weaving a complex web of interconnected storylines that all lead to a shocking finale. Dark is a gripping, intense and mind-bending series that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Often compared to each other, Dark is the perfect option for shows like Stranger Things.

2. The OA (2016)

The OA follows Prairie Johnson, a young woman who reappears after being missing for 7 years. She was previously blind, but now she can see, and she refers and now to herself as the OA. 

Prairie shares her story with a group of strangers, claiming that she was held captive and subjected to experiments by a mysterious figure known as “Hap.” As the group helps Prairie uncover the truth about her captivity, they find themselves drawn into a world of interdimensional travel and dark conspiracies. Involving missing people, supernatural elements, and a group of misfit characters who band together to uncover a dark conspiracy, this is a great series like Stranger Things.

3. Twin Peaks (1990)

David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks became a cultural phenomenon upon its release. The show followed FBI agent Dale Cooper, played by Kyle MacLachlan, as he investigates the murder of Laura Palmer, a young woman from the small town of Twin Peaks. As Cooper delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and intrigue that threatens to unravel the fabric of the community. If you’ve already seen it, check out our list of shows like Twin Peaks.

Twin Peaks was notable for its surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, quirky characters, and eerie soundtrack, all of which contributed to its enduring legacy. The show also explored themes of duality, identity, and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of small-town life. Inspiring many shows that came after, Twin Peaks is an excellent series like Stranger Things.

4. I’m Not Okay With This (2020)

I’m Not Okay With This is a coming-of-age drama following the life of Sydney, a teenage girl struggling to navigate high school while also dealing with mysterious supernatural abilities. As she struggles to control her powers and manage her tumultuous emotions, Sydney grapples with her sexuality, grief, and personal relationships. 

Along with her best friend, Dina, and quirky neighbor, Stanley, Sydney embarks on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Similar to shows like Stranger Things, I’m Not Okay With This‘s raw and honest portrayal of adolescence has resonated with audiences, making it a relatable and compelling story of growing up in modern times.

5. Lock & Key (2020)

Lock & Key is a Netflix original series based on the graphic novel by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez. The story follows the three Locke siblings as they move to their ancestral home, the Keyhouse after their father is murdered. The family discovers magical keys hidden within the house that unlock extraordinary powers and abilities.

However, they soon realize that a demonic entity, known as the “Echo,” is also after the keys and will stop at nothing to possess them. The Locke siblings must learn to work together and use their powers to protect the keys and their family from the Echo’s evil intentions. With a mix of horror, fantasy, and family drama, Lock & Key is a thrilling series similar to Stranger Things.

6. Zone Blanche (Black Spot) (2017)

Zone Blanche, also known as Black Spot, is a French-Belgian television series that premiered in 2017. Set in the small and isolated town of Villefranche, the show follows the investigations of Major Laurène Weiss and her team as they try to solve the mysteries surrounding the area. 

Similar to shows like Stranger Things, the town is known for its high crime rate and unusual occurrences, including the unexplained presence of a forest and the disappearance of several people. The story unravels to reveal a web of interconnected secrets that involve the town’s residents, government officials, and local businesses. I highly recommend you watch Zone Blanche!

7. The Twilight Zone (2019)

The Twilight Zone is a sci-fi anthology series where each episode tells a different story with a unique twist, exploring themes such as time travel, alternate realities, and the consequences of unchecked technology. Similar to shows like Stranger Things, this show pays homage to the original series from the 1950s while also bringing a modern twist to the concept. 

With a talented cast and crew, The Twilight Zone offers mind-bending and unsettling tales that are surely engaging. With creative storytelling, excellent performances, and varied complex themes, The Twilight Zone is a worth a watch for fans of shows like  Stranger Things.

8. Outer Range (2022)

The Outer Range is an American mystery drama TV series about a rancher named Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) who lives in a remote region of Wyoming. Royal is forced to confront the mystery surrounding his family and his land when strange occurrences begin to happen. 

As he digs deeper into the area’s secrets, he discovers a network of conspiracies and supernatural elements that threaten to upend his life and the lives of those around him. One thing fans of shows like Stranger Things will like about this one is its breathtaking cinematography, The Outer Range is a captivating and introspective exploration of the humanity in face of the unknown.

9. Paper Girls (2022)

Paper Girls is a sci-fi about 4 teenage girls, Erin, Tiffany, Mac, and KJ. The are working as paper delivery girls in the year 1986. On the morning after Halloween, they find themselves caught in the middle of a time-travelling adventure that takes them to different eras and alternate realities.

If you loved the 1980s nostalgia from shows like Stranger Things, you will surely enjoy this show. The girls navigate through dangerous terrain and encounter strange creatures, trying to uncover the mystery behind their journey and find a way back to their own time. Carrying humor, action, and heart, Paper Girls is a thrilling ride that celebrates the power of friendship and girlhood.

10. Sense 8 (2015)

Sense8 is a sci-fi tv series featuring 8 individuals from different parts of the world who are connected by a mental and emotional bond, known as a “sensate” connection. These individuals, known as “sensates,” are able to share each other’s thoughts, language, and abilities as they fight to protect themselves and their loved ones from a powerful organization that wants to hunt them down. 

The show explores themes of identity, diversity, sexuality, and humanity’s interconnectedness. Sense8 is a series like no other, but was unfortunately canceled after 2 seasons. If you like unique sci-fi TV shows like Stranger Things, watch Sense8 as well. 

11. The Umbrella Academy (2019)

The series The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name and is about a group of 7 gifted individuals who were born under mysterious circumstances to random women out of nowhere and adopted by an eccentric billionaire, Sir Reginald Hargreeves. 

Together they formed a superhero family but one with a ton of problems. Years after growing up, they reunite to save the world from an impending apocalypse. Along the way, they face personal demons, sibling rivalries, and complex relationships. While the series has it’s continuity flaws, the grimmy sense of The Umbrella Academy might be enough for fans of a series like Stranger Things.

12. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a supernatural horror drama series based on the Archie Comics character Sabrina Spellman. The central character, Sabrina, is a half-witch, a half-mortal teenage girl trying to navigate her way through high school while secretly also discovering her powers and embracing her identity as a witch. 

Sabrina struggles to balance her mortal friends, her relationship with her boyfriend Harvey, and her duties as a witch, which include battling evil forces and dark entities. Similar to series like Stranger Things, this is a supernatural teenage series you might like binge-watching.

13. Severance (2022)

Severance revolves around Lumen Industries, a company that offers its employees a chance to permanently upload their consciousness into a virtual afterlife called Ascension. The story follows the experiences of a young woman named Lily, who joins Lumen Industries and finds herself caught up in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to unravel the very fabric of reality.

This is a well made series with great performances, similar to shoes like Stranger Things, Severance highlights the aftermath of authorities who do dangerous practices on humanity. If you’re looking for a series that relates to adults, then you need to watch this.

14. The X-Files (1993)

The X-Files is an iconic sci-fi crime series that ran for 9 seasons and follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. They investigate cases that involve paranormal or supernatural phenomena, as well as government conspiracies and cover-ups. Mulder believes in the existence of extraterrestrial life and paranormal events, while Scully is a skeptic who relies on science and logic to explain the cases they encounter. 

If you can’t seem to get enough of the investigative side of a series like Strnger Things then The X-Files’ blend of science fiction, horror, and drama will become on of your favourites shows like Straner Things to watch.

15. The Leftovers (2014)

The Leftovers is a gripping TV series that takes place in the aftermath of a global event known as the “Sudden Departure,” where 2% of the world’s population disappears without any explanation. The story follows the lives of the remaining citizens of Mapleton, New York, as they struggle to cope with the loss of their loved ones and the world-changing implications of the event.

The Leftovers has a grounded exploraion of grief, loss, and human connection with a haunting atmosphere and powerful performances from the cast. Similar to shows like Stranger Things , The Leftovers offers rich storytelling and compelling characters making it a great choice for you.

16. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

The Haunting of Hill House is a horror series created about follows the Crain family, who move into Hill House to renovate and sell it, only to be haunted by ghosts and supernatural entities that continue to affect their lives even years after leaving the house. If were particularly a fan of the 4th season of Stranger Things then trust me, you will like this story.

The show jumps between the past and present, exploring the family’s traumatic experiences and the long-lasting effects of their time at Hill House. The Haunting of Hill House has stronger, more disturbing tone in comparison to shows like Stranger Things, so be sure to not watch it alone! 

17. Paradise (2022)

A group of teenagers discover a hidden underground laboratory while on a camping trip. The laboratory is a secret government facility, which has been working on a top-secret project to create a new form of energy that could change the world. Sounds familiar? Because it is quite similar to shows like Stranger Things!

In this series Paradise, the teenagers try to uncover the secrets of the lab- the sinister plot by the government, which has been using the new energy source to manipulate and control the population. Just like in your favourite series, these teenagers must use their ingenuity and teamwork to stop the government and save the world from a catastrophic fate.

18. Gravity Falls  (2012)

Gravity Falls is an animated TV series on the adventures of twins Dipper and Mabel Pines as they spend the summer with their great-uncle Stan in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. The town is filled with supernatural creatures and mysterious phenomena, and the twins must use their wits and bravery to uncover their secrets and protect its inhabitants from evil forces.

Throughout the series, viewers are introduced to a colorful cast of characters, including Dipper and Mabel’s friends and family members, as well as various creatures and monsters. Gravity Falls is funny, nostalgia-inducing series that takes us back to the simpler times. This is my personal series like Stranger Things to watch on the weekends.

19. Shadow and Bones (2021)

Shadow and Bone is a Netflix original series released in 2021, based on the bestselling fantasy novels by Leigh Bardugo. The story is set in the mythical world of Ravka, which is divided by a dangerous, magical barrier known as the Shadow Fold. The show follows Alina Starkov, an orphan mapmaker who discovers she possesses an extraordinary power that could destroy the Fold and save her country. Alongside a group of misfit allies, Alina navigates political intrigue and dangerous enemies in a quest to master her powers and restore Ravka to its former glory.

Fans of Stranger Things may enjoy Shadow and Bone due to its similar themes of friendship, adventure, and supernatural powers. The show features a diverse cast of compelling characters, complex world-building, and stunning visual effects that create an engaging viewing experience.

20. Raising Dion (2019)

Raising Dion revolves around a young single mother named Nicole who discovers her son, Dion, possesses supernatural abilities. Nicole tries to raise her superhuman child while keeping his powers a secret from the world. But they soon discover that Dion’s powers come with a dark side.

I always though of what would happened to Eleven if she was not taken away form her mother, in many ways this series feels like an answer to that question. The series is an adaptation of the comic book Raising Dion by Dennis Liu. With a superhero aesthetic, Raising Dion is a series like Stranger Things that is not to be missed. 

Honourable Mentions 

Here are a few shows like Stranger Things that didn’t make this list. You can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Archive 81
  2. Safe 
  3. Everything Sucks 
  4. Day Break 
  5. Alice In Borderland 

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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