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15 Shows Like Yellowjackets For Fans Of A Potent Mix of Genres

shows like yellowjackets

Yellowjackets is a frightening epic of a series. The show is an unconventional mix between the mean girl type-set story of Pretty Little Liars and a survival thriller like The 100. The show has grown a cult following over the years, and for that reason here we have created this list of 15 more shows like Yellowjackets for you to watch. 

The show is centered around members of the New Jersey High School female soccer team, who are en route to Canada for a contest. While flying over Canada, their plane crashes into the wilderness, leaving them deserted and cut off from the outside world. The series follows their endeavours to stay alive and the fallouts, conflicts, and power struggles that ensue following their plane crash.

List of TV Shows Like Yellowjackets

1. Dare Me (2019-2020)

Dare Me is a teen drama series adapted from a novel of the same name written by Megan Abbott. The series, similar to shows like Yellowjackets, explores the power dynamic between a group of teenage girls. In this case within a group of cheerleaders.

This show centers on the relationship between Addy and her BFF Beth, and the events that take place after a new coach is chosen to lead the crew. This series is all about friendship, and what can cause it to crumble, as well as the push and pull power dynamic of the world of high school cheerleading. 

2. Dark (2017-2020)

Dark is a German science fiction series created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. Set in the fictional town of Winden, Dark, similar to series like Yellow Jackets, follows the events immediately after the disappearance of a group of youngsters in this rural town in what seems to be a part of Europe.. These events put in motion a tale full of secrets and lies.

The series is ghostly and creepy, seeing its characters explore some of the scariest locations ever put on TV, in order to figure out what is going on in the town. In the event that you’re up searching for a haunting show that will definitely give you goosebumps, then Dark is most certainly worth looking at.

3. Manifest (2018-till date)

Manifest is an American drama television series that follows the passengers of Montego Air Flight 828, who, after experiencing a turbulent but otherwise routine flight, arrive their destination safely. But all is not as it seems, as they arrive at their destination 5 years later, and without aging even a second. 

As they deal with the aftermath of this experience, they have to reintegrate back into a normal life, while trying to uncover the mystery behind their disappearance. A mystery so sinister that it might actually end up affecting those they left behind also. If you love shows like Yellowjackets that keeps you waiting to see what direction it heads to next, then Manifest is just the show for you.

Also Read: 15 Amazing Shows Like Teen Wolf

4. The Stranger (2020)

The Stranger is a mystery thriller mini-series which follows the story of Adam Price, a family man whose life is turned upside down when a stranger reveals a shocking secret about his wife. This leads to a series of events that unravel the closely hidden truths of the people around him. 

A mystery to keep you surprised and shocked at every turn, The Stranger is one show that will keep you invested throughout its runtime. On the off chance that you love mysterious thrill rides in shows like Yellowjackets, The Stranger might be another one of such for you to take a look at.

5. Chambers (2019)

Chambers is an American supernatural horror TV series created by Leah Rachel. Chambers, which starred Uma Thurman and Sivan Rose, follows the story of a young lady named Sasha Yazzie. Sasha has a close encounter with death, but is rescued from its clutches.

Sasha falls in love with her rescuer, and embarks on solving mysteries alongside him. The more she searches, the deeper into a pit of lies and secrets she gets. She soon realizes that she may not be safe any longer. This is another creepy show to add to your watch list in the nature of shows like Yellowjackets.

6. The Flight Attendant (2020-till date)

The Flight Attendant is a dark comedy-thriller series based on a novel of the same name written by Chris Bohjalian. Cassie Bowden is front and center as the main protagonist in this show. She is an airline stewardess who wakes up next to a dead body, all without knowing how she got there, nor how the dead body wound up beside her.

Similar to shows like the Yellowjackets, The Flight Attendant is a sinister mystery. The Flight Attendant is a huge mish-mash of TV genres, as despite being a mystery, it still finds some time to showcase some humor, and even a little bit of heart.

7. Good Girls (2018-2021)

Good Girls is a satirical TV series created by Jenna Boycotts. The show follows the tale of three moms, Beth, Ruby, and Annie, who choose to jointly take control of their lives and decide to do this by heading into a life of crime. They are further motivated by a need to get out of their mundane lifestyle, and have something exciting happen to them.

A show which is as high stakes as a show like Yellowjackets, considering the strain a life of crime can lay on the lives of three suburban housewives, it still manages to find the time to poke fun at the absurdity of its plot, with some great use of humor, balancing both ends of the spectrum perfectly.If you’re looking for a show that showcases that balance, then Good Girls is one for you.

8. Cruel Summer (2021-till date)

Cruel Summer is a mystery series created by Jessica Biel. Kate and Jeanette are the major characters in this tale set in the 1990s. Together, they experience childhood and all the mysteries that surround them hand-in-hand. The town in Cruel Summer has a charming exterior, but one that gets more and more mysterious the more you dig beneath its cool exterior.

The show is masterfully executed, with every episode moving between various perspectives, adding to the mystery which surrounds the series’ world. If that unnerving sense of mystery is a thrill which you chase, the Cruel Summer is highly recommended, especially for lovers of shows like Yellowjackets.

9. Servant (2019-till date)

Servant is a psychological horror TV series created by Tony Basgallop. Sean and Dorothy Turner, are a Philadelphian couple who recruit a young lady named Leanne as a caretaker for their child, Jericho. Soon after, mysterious things start to occur in their home, getting progressively violent, as the days go by.

With its eerie atmosphere, it is quite similar to that which is found in shows like Yellowjackets, Servant is as much horror as any show on this list and even more so, so be prepared for some more jumpscares when watching this. 

10. The 100 (2014-2020)

The 100 is a dystopian sci-fi TV series created by Jason Rothenberg. The 100 follows the tale of a gathering of100 adolescent juvenile delinquents who are sent back to Earth 97 years after a nuclear disaster to decide whether the planet is presently tenable for life.

With a group of teenagers stranded in a deserted location, it shares some familiar plotlines with series like Yellowjackets. The 100 has been praised for its engaging writing and brilliant ensemble cast. The 100 is certainly adding to your watch list if you’re a fan of dystopian stories. If you’ve already seen it, check out our list of shows like The 100.

11. Midnight Mass (2020)

Midnight Mass is a mystery miniseries created by Mike Flanagan. Midnight Mass follows the tale of a mysterious minister who shows up on a secluded island and starts to perform wonderful miracles, which at first has the island’s inhabitants clamor to him for help, until things grow more sinister than expected.

Faith and religion is are big topics explored in this show, as it tries to explore the blurred lines between the real world and the spiritual realm. Midnight Mass has been praised for its capacity to keep viewers spellbound and interested. Midnight Mass is a must-watch for fans of mysterious series like Yellowjackets.

12. The Outsider (2020)

The Outsiders is a mystery TV show adapted from a novel written by Stephen Lord. The Outsider follows the tale of an unassuming community criminal investigator named Ralph Anderson as he is tasked with solving a mysterious homicide that has proved unsolvable for the authorities.

The series explores themes of good and bad, morality in general, as well as the obscured lines between the real world and the spiritual. Full of mystery, both of the physical and spiritual nature, it is quite similar to shows like YellowJackets, and you should give it a watch if you haven’t.

13. The Society (2019)

The Society is a teen drama series created by Christopher Keyser. The Society follows the story of a group of high school students who return from a canceled field trip to find that all the adults in their town have disappeared and they are now left to fend for themselves and create a new society, and replace their parents as leaders in the community, and take care of the children left behind. 

The Society is quite similar to shows like Yellowjackets, as it adds in its own twist into the survival/mystery genre. So, If you’re a fan of teen dramas with a mysterious twist, then The Society is definitely worth checking out.

14. Station Eleven (2021)

A survival mystery-drama similar to shows like Yellowjackets, Station Eleven takes place two decades after a deadly flu pandemic wipes out practically all of the human population. We are introduced to Kirsten Raymonde, an actress who is part of a Shakespearean traveling troupe, as she journeys through this new world and small pockets of survivors along the way, all trying to lead a normal life again.

The intimate tale spans multiple timelines, from the day the pandemic hit to its devastating aftermath,using a non-linear method of storytelling to achieve this. And while it’s not nearly as gruesome and dark as Yellowjackets, it still examines similar themes to the show.

15. Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)

Pretty Little Liars is a mystery TV drama series similar to shows like Yellowjackets. The plot kicks off when a group of friends lose their clique leader, leading to a sense of distrust among all of whom are left. This turn of events does nothing but breed contempt and distrust between them

Throughout the course of the series, events from the night that their leader, Alison disappeared are revealed, which help them gain more and more knowledge into what actually happened to her, culminating in the final episode, where they finally put all the pieces together, and the show moves onto the next mystery in future seasons. The show has been praised for keeping audiences on their toes with the twists and turns along the way.

Honorable Mentions

Here are a few series like Yellowjackets, that didn’t make it to the list but you can also check them out:

  1. Westworld
  2. The Leftovers
  3. The Haunting of Bly Manor

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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