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Stranger Things' final season is set to arrive on Netflix in 2025, and fans can barely contain their excitement. The show has been one of the streaming giant's flagship titles since its premiere in 2016. It has since released four seasons, with its upcoming fifth season set to conclude the storyline.
Stranger Things is a coming-of-age sci-fi horror drama written by the Duffer brothers. The show is set in the 1980s, and revolves around the mysterious occurrences around the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The story is set in motion with the disappearance of 12-year-old Will Byers, and the sudden discovery of a girl with supernatural powers.
The show boasts an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Natalia Dyer, Noah Schnapp, Jamie Campbell Bower, and many others.
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While the release date of the fifth and final season is still unannounced, this is a carefully curated list of shows for you to binge while awaiting further announcements from Netflix and the creators of Stranger Things.
10 of the best TV shows to binge before Stranger Things season 5
1) Locke and Key
Locke and Key is a teen supernatural fantasy drama from Netflix. Inspired by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's comic book series of the same name, the series was developed for the screen by Meredith Averill, Carlton Cuse, and Aron Ali Coleite. The show aired three seasons between 2020 and 2022.
The series follows the Locke siblings who relocate to their ancestral home with their mother after their father gets tragically killed. The siblings soon discover that their new residence is beyond ordinary and holds magical keys with the power to open mysterious doors. But when a malevolent entity appears, the Lockes face it head-on.
Both Locke and Key and Stranger Things blend fantasy and horror to revolve around young protagonists battling supernatural forces from beyond their dimensions. This makes it a great alternative for fans of Stranger Things to watch while waiting for the final season.
2) The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is a fantasy superhero action drama series on Netflix. Steve Blackman and Jeremy Slater developed the show for the screen, basing it on the comic book series written and illustrated by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá respectively. The Umbrella Academy premiered in 2019 and aired four seasons before concluding in late 2024.
The Umbrella Academy revolves around a dysfunctional family of adopted siblings, each with their own unique powers, as they try to solve the mystery of their adoptive father's death while navigating through interpersonal conflicts.
The show delves into the world of fantasy and action drama while also featuring an apocalyptic storyline with the protagonists fighting against it.
More than a good alternative title to watch while waiting for Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy is a great blend of dark humor, alternate realities, and plot twists.
3) Dark
Dark is a German-origin epic sci-fi thriller series from Netflix. The show was conceptualized and written by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, with Odar taking up the role of the director. The show completed a three-season run between 2017 and 2020.
The first German-language original from Netflix, Dark revolves around mysterious incidents happening in Winden, a small town in the German countryside.
Starting off with the sudden disappearance of a child, the plot delves into a mind-bending story of mysteries involving interconnected families, time travel, and alternate realities.
With its unique storytelling and thought-provoking themes, Dark is among the more recognized and popular titles in the last few years. Both Dark and Stranger Things, start with the disappearance of a child, followed by the unraveling of otherwordly secrets and a revamped understanding of reality for the characters.
4) Between
Between is a Canadian-origin sci-fi thriller drama show on Netflix. It was created by Michael McGowan, who also helped write the screenplay and direct the series.
Between was broadcast on Citytv for the Canadian regions, with Netflix being its international partner. The series aired two seasons between 2015 and 2016.
Set in the small fictional town of Pretty Lake, Between revolves around a group of teenagers and younger children who are the sole survivors of a mysterious disease that has killed off all the town's residents aged 21 and over.
The show follows them as they try to survive while navigating power struggles, social chaos, and waning resources within a quarantined zone.
Between and Stranger Things, both have young characters faced with extraordinary circumstances. However, they vary starkly in their tones and themes explored.
While Stranger Things is aligned more with fantasy and conspiracy theories, Between has a more dark narrative focusing on survival, and the nuances of human behavior.
5) Prank Encounters
Prank Encounters is a horror-themed hidden camera reality show from the house of Netflix. The show is written by Doug Perkins and David Storrs, with Anthony Gonzales directing.
It debuted on Netflix in 2019 and released another season in 2021, both presented by Stranger Things' very own, Gaten Matarazzo.
The show sets up exclusive temp job settings, where they host two complete strangers and subject them to a series of nightmarish scenarios and jumpscares.
Gaten Matarazzo presents the show, sometimes even personally directing the actors for the prank. He shows himself at the end, revealing the whole facade to the strangers.
With the horror element and Matarazzo as the presenter, Prank Encounters is a fun title that fans of Stranger Things can catch.
6) Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico is a sci-fi drama series from CW. Carina Adly MacKenzie developed the series for the screen, basing it on Mackenzie Metz's young adult book series, Roswell High.
The show aired four seasons between 2019 and 2022, marking a rebooted version of The WB's 1999 adaptation, Roswell.
As the name suggests, the series is set in Roswell, New Mexico, and follows biomedical scientist, Liz, as she returns to her hometown. But after reconnecting with her teenage crush, Max, she uncovers his lifelong secret of being an alien with supernatural powers.
The series follows their journey as they navigate their complex relationship while realizing a wider alien presence in their society.
Similar to Stranger Things, Roswell, New Mexico also explores supernatural elements in a small-town setting. However, other than that, the two shows differ starkly in their storytelling approach and themes explored. But for those looking for a change of pace, Roswell, New Mexico is a great watch.
7) Paradise
Paradise aka Paraíso is a Spanish language sci-fi adventure drama from the house of Movistar+, an OTT platform based out of Spain. The series was created by Ruth García, Fernando González Molina, and David Oliva, with Molina in the chair of the director. The show aired two seasons between 2021 and 2022.
Set in the early 1990s, Paraíso follows the disappearance of three teenage girls from Almanzora de la Vega, a seemingly regular town along coastal Valencia.
When police investigations don't bear any fruits, a group of four friends led by one of the victims' brothers take it upon themselves to solve the mystery. However, their quest for the truth uncovers some very dark and otherwordly secrets.
With very similar themes, plots, and characters, Paraíso almost feels like a Spanish-origin Stranger Things. What sets them apart is their cultural ecosystems and tone of storytelling. Overall, it's a great option for fans to explore.
8) Silverpoint
Silverpoint is a European sci-fi mystery drama from the house of Hulu. The series was originally created for CBBC by Lee Walters and Steven Andrew, with Walters also leading the writing department. The show has released two seasons since its premiere in 2022.
Just like Stranger Things, the events of Silverpoint are set into motion with four children disappearing in the Silverpoint woods in 1997. However, unlike the Netflix flagship, Silverpoint is set in a more contemporary timeline when the protagonists set off on their quest for the truth behind the disappearances.
The series follows a group of friends as they uncover secrets beyond their imaginations.
While both shows delve into supernatural mysteries with a set of young characters, Silverpoint is more aligned for family viewing and is a great alternative watch for Stranger Things fans.
9) Gravity Falls
Gravity Falls is an animated mystery comedy series from the house of Disney. Alex Hirsch wrote and created the show, with Michael Rianda as the creative head. The show premiered on Disney Channel in 2012 before moving its second season to Disney XD in 2014.
It was widely popular among Disney's audience, even receiving numerous prestigious accolades and widespread critical acclaim.
Set in the fictional titular town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, the series revolves around the fraternal Pines twins, Dipper and Mabel. While spending their summer with their great uncle, Stan, the twins find a journal filled where mysterious occurrences and supernatural creatures have been documented.
The series follows the twins as they navigate their summer break while uncovering the town's secrets and experiencing paranormal incidents.
Gravity Falls is a great option for fans of Stranger Things who want a more lighthearted title. However, what sets it apart is its animated art form, making it a great option for audiences of all ages.
10) Riverdale
Riverdale is a romantic mystery drama series from the house of The CW. Based on the characters from the popular comic publishing house, Archie Comics, the show was developed and directed by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Riverdale premiered in 2017 and aired seven seasons before concluding in 2023.
Set in the fictional and titular town of Riverdale, the series revolves around Archie Andrews and his friends.
When Jason Blossom, a popular teenager is found murdered, the seemingly idyllic town suddenly changes and pulls Archie and his crew into its dark and dreary secrets.
The murder-mystery vibe paired with teenage characters makes Riverdale a great watch for younger audiences. The show also turns towards supernatural elements in its later seasons, aligning itself more with a show like Stranger Things.
These are some of our top picks of shows that would be right up the alley of fans of Stranger Things.
Stranger Things is set to release its fifth and final season on Netflix sometime in 2025.
