TV series to keep you occupied until the final season.
8 Shows to Watch Next If You Love 'Stranger Things'
TV series to keep you occupied until the final season.
Do you want the good news or the bad news? The bad news is that another season of Stranger Things is over, and the next – and final – instalment might not come for at least another year, if not more.
The good news? There are plenty of shows that tap into the same Stranger Things vein to get you through this in-between (and upside down) period while we wait for more episodes following the adventures of Eleven and the rest of the Hawkins crew.
From a story that leans on a similar retro aesthetic to a series with wild, supernatural occurrences, here are some shows that Stranger Things fans should watch next.
1. The Society
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Who can you trust to create a show that is just like Stranger Things? Netflix, the original creators of Stranger Things. (Duh!) The Society debuted in 2019 on Netflix and ran for just a single season, with a second cancelled because of the pandemic. But the one season that we did get is a goody: full of twists and turns and a stellar young cast, many of whom have gone onto bigger things. Fans of Stranger Things will love the premise, in which a group of teenagers return to their small town to discover all the adults have disappeared. What will the kids do in their absence? The cast included Australian stars Olivia DeJonge – currently appearing opposite Austin Butler as Priscilla Presley in Elvis – Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Toby Wallace, as well as Kathryn Newton of Big Little Lies fame. Worth a binge one rainy weekend.
2. I Am Not Okay With This
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Like Stranger Things, Netflix’s teen series I Am Not Okay With This leans heavily on a retro aesthetic, although in this instance, it’s purely a reference point, as this show is set in the present day and not the ‘80s like Stranger Things. But the vibe is there, which is why we recommend sitting down with this lovely YA drama one weekend. Also like Stranger Things, it follows a telekinetic hero called Sydney (Sophia Lillis) as she reckons with the aftermath of a tragic event, while also coming of age in a small town. The producers of Stranger Things also worked on this show, so you can bet that it comes with their stamp of approval.
3. Heartstopper
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Since premiering on Netflix earlier this year, Heartstopper has become a true cult classic. This YA romantic comedy follows two teenage boys as they come to understand their sexuality and fall in love, and it’s just a totally sweet and heart-swelling romance. A second season has already been confirmed, which is very exciting, but now is a great time to dip into the first season, which comprises half-hour episodes and a very kitsch high school aesthetic that will remind you of Stranger Things, as well as a great cast of young actors.
4. Outer Banks
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Another Netflix show worth watching for Stranger Things fans is Outer Banks, which has released two binge-worthy seasons and follows a group of teenagers in a small town as they investigate a mystery (Sound familiar?). Though the story here is less supernatural and more murder, Outer Banks and Stranger Things have a very similar vibe and share a lot in common with beloved ‘80s films including Stand By Me and The Goonies.
5. Ms Marvel
Where can I watch it? Disney+
A teen show set in a high school following a group of friends caught up in a wild, supernatural occurrence? That could be the description of Stranger Things but it could just as easily be the plotline of Ms Marvel, the latest in the Marvel series on Disney+ and, in our opinion, one of the best. All episodes of this series are streaming now, and introduce us to Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a girl from Jersey City who discovers that she has superhero powers on a journey that takes her to her homeland of Pakistan and back – all while trying to keep her friends and family safe. What sets Ms Marvel apart from some of the other Marvel series is that it is grounded in a real family and their relationships, and feels like a true evocation of high school on screen. We love this show.
6. Reservation Dogs
Where can I watch it? Binge
Reservation Dogs is a totally charming comedy from the mind of beloved director Taika Waititi (Thor, Hunt For The Wilderpeople and more), following a group of Native American teenagers who long to escape their childhood homes and make it in Los Angeles. The closeness of the four main leads will remind you a lot of the closeness of the four stars of Stranger Things, and there’s that same feeling of watching a future generation of acting and comedic talent come to life with this series, which debuted a critically acclaimed first season in 2021 and will return for a second season in August. Some of our favourite new television of recent years.
7. Severance
Where can I watch it? AppleTV+
If what you love about Stranger Things is the mystery box element and all the twists and turns, it might be time to watch Severance. The AppleTV+ series, from creator Ben Stiller – yes, that Ben Stiller – has recently been nominated for a bunch of Emmys and remains one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the year. The series follows a workplace where employees have undergone a process whereby their work selves and their private selves are completely severed from each other, allowing them to create a work life balance. Allegedly. As you can imagine, the reality is quite different, and much like Stranger Things, the first season takes you on a winding journey as the main characters investigate what, exactly, has happened to them. Totally gripping and addictive.
8. Paper Girls
Where can I watch it? Prime Video
Coming very soon to Prime Video is Paper Girls, sure to be a fast favourite among Stranger Things fans now that the fourth season is over. This series is based on a very popular comic book about four girls who are caught up in a time travellers war while out on their paper run on Halloween 1988. As the girls zip back and forth between timelines, they get glimpses of their past, present and future. Sounds like something Stranger Things fans are going to fall in love with, right?
