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10 Shows Like The Sandman For Fans High Brow Fantasy Works

January 26, 2023
shows like the sandman

With a very high rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Sandman has received rave reviews from critics. We have compiled a list of fantastic TV shows like The Sandman to watch next if you’ve already binge-watched the 1st season. The Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s dark fantasy comic book series has been loved by many, and they have been eagerly waiting to see how this beloved story will be brought to life on the small screen. It’s dark material, but still profound and moving. The story and settings of the show are both immersive and incredibly beautiful, and it’s elevated by its nearly perfect casting. In the end, The Sandman leaves viewers with a wildly imaginative and beautifully crafted series.

List of TV Shows Like The Sandman

  1. Locke and Key
  2. Shadow and Bone 
  3. Doctor Who  
  4. Daredevil
  5. The Umbrella Academy 
  6. Legion 
  7. Good Omens
  8. Supernatural
  9. Lucifer
  10. His Dark Materials

1. Locke and Key (2020)

The writers of comic creators Locke and Key have talked about how Sandman’s writer Neil Gaiman heavily influenced them in the creation of their series. “… I thought the keys are for us what dreams are for Sandman,” Locke and Key creator Joe Hill.

The main story centers around the children of the Locke family, who, after their father is murdered, have to move to their ancestral home – which they discover has a thing with a bunch of magical keys that unlock various abilities – shenanigans ensue. This fantasy epic breathes fresh life into the tired haunted house cliché thanks to demons, family trauma, and a few extremely potent keys. A great option for shows like The Sandman for you.

2. Shadow and Bone (2021)

The series Shadow and Bone is pleasantly satisfying, it brings a steampunk fantasy genre that gives us an alternative to other TV shows that are dominated by the Superhero genre. Inspired by Slavic background, it has so many selling points that will drag you into its world.

The series is based on several books in the Grishaverse by novelist Leigh Bardugo. The drama centres on Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li), an orphan who discovers she has a set of unique skills that her country sorely needs against a backdrop of conflict and turmoil. While Alina learns how to use her newfound talent, she must also stay out of the Crows’ crosshairs because they are trying to kidnap her. Similar to shows like The Sandman, you might enjoy the series Shadow and Bone.

3. Doctor Who (2005)

BBC has been airing the British science fiction program Doctor Who ever since 1963. The Doctor is an extraterrestrial being who looks like a human, and a Time Lord whose adventures are chronicled across the timeline of humans. One reason for the success of the show is the cleverness of the writing and the characters.

Doctor Who explores many of the same themes as The Sandman, even if it doesn’t often deal with the Devil and other religious mythical figures (until when it does). It is not surprising that Doctor Who, the longest-running science fiction program ever, has addressed the same topic at some point. For great shows like The Sandman, this one’s worth a watch!

4. Daredevil (2015)

​​Based on the Marvel Comics character, this incredible show follows Matt Murdock as lawyer years after becoming blinded by a chemical accident when he was a young child– changing his course in life forever. Matt grows up in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, where he learns to defend himself on the streets by practising martial arts and acrobatics. Now a hero by night– Daredevil, he now uses these skills to save people and defeat the corrupt businessman Wilson Fisk.

While Murdock’s job as a lawyer requires him to believe and obey the criminal justice system, his alter ego allows him to take matters into his own hands when the law doesn’t work. The action sequences are phenomenal, to say the least. The true strength of this series lies in how much heart is involved in every scene. This is one of the best shows like The Sandman you can watch.

5. The Umbrella Academy (2019)

An intriguing superhero family is the subject of the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. This is a lively and uplifting series that uses a brilliant set of complex characters while adapting from a comic book series in a manner similar to The Sandman.

One day, many women across the world who had never been pregnant gave birth to children, out of which 7 of these children get adopted by a man called Sir Reginald Hargreeves. While they wait for fresh content, fans of The Sandman will find that switching to The Umbrella Academy is a smooth transition. The Umbrella Academy has a fantasy charm that every fan of a series like The Sandman will appreciate.

6. Legion  (2017)

Belonging to the world of X-Men comics from the Marvel Universe is the show Legion. The show follows David Haller (Dan Stevens), a troubled man diagnosed with schizophrenia. Despite the fact that David Haller is a mutant and the show is based on the X-Men comics, it differs greatly from other superhero and comic book movies you may have seen. It is primarily a psychological thriller with brief horror moments.

This is a uniquely constructed superhero TV series that ran for 3 seasons on FX. In the first episode of the series, David is transferred between psychiatric facilities, where he falls in love with Syd, one of the patients. Legion gained attention and admiration from critics for its distinctive and thought-provoking storyline and surreal visuals, which paved the way for shows like The Sandman.

7. Good Omens (2019)

In my opinion, the next best thing you can do after completing The Sandman is to go check out Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens- a show that speaks to his distinctive creative voice. The same-titled novel he co-wrote with Terry Pratchett inspired the fantasy comedy Good Omens.

This show centers on the characters played by Michael Sheen and David Tennant, they are an unusual duo of an angel and a demon who work together to try to prevent Armageddon. For those who enjoy Gaiman’s writing, Good Omens is a good fit, even though it is a little lighter and funnier than series like The Sandman.

Also Read: Shows like The X-Files

8. Supernatural (2005)

Before Neil Gaiman’s vast dark fantasy saga, The Sandman found its way to Netflix as an ambitious live-action adaptation, several authors and filmmakers attempted to adapt the source material in a variety of ways. One of them was Eric Kripke, who created Supernatural and is currently in charge of the superhero parody The Boys.

Some aspects of The Sandman’s monsters and phenomena can be found in Supernatural. Fans will like the shared elements of both series, which include potentially disastrous and world-altering events. While you wait for the upcoming season, Supernatural will have plenty of storylines similar to shows like The Sandman, thanks to 15 seasons and more than 300 episodes.

9. Lucifer (2016)

Lucifer is a crime drama TV series that premiered on Fox in 2016. The show is based on Neil Gaiman’s character Lucifer Morningstar from the DC Comics series The Sandman and Vertigo. The series was developed by Tom Kapinos and starred Tom Ellis as the titular character, Lucifer Morningstar.

The show follows Lucifer Morningstar, the Devil himself, who becomes bored with his existence in Hell and decides to leave and move to Los Angeles. One of the unique aspects of The Lucifer is its blend of crime procedural and fantasy elements as it explores religious and mythological themes and features a diverse cast of characters, including angels and demons. So, after watching series like The Sandman, Lucifer is a great show to give a different perspective on Neil’s universe.

10. His Dark Materials (2019)

His Dark Materials is an adaptation of a trilogy of books series of the same name by Phillip Pullman. A fantasy series, it follows an orphan who tries to find the truth behind her missing friend’s disappearance due to a cosmic substance called Dust. Fans of series like The Sandman will find much to appreciate in His Dark Materials, with both shows belonging to the fantasy genre and dealing with cosmic elements and characters.

The multiple worlds within His Dark Materials will remind viewers of similar instances within The Sandman, such as the Dreaming, the realm of Hell, and the human world. Though the show’s principles are quite different, the tone of both shows, share similarities. Hence, give His Dark Materials a try!

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few shows similar to The Sandman that didn’t make it to the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Constantine 
  2. Preacher
  3. The Boys
  4. Penny Dreadful
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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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