Like the last season of Stranger Things approaches, there has never been a better time to look back at the shows that attempted to replace it, to Wednesday has Dark. The arrival of Stranger Things season 5 will be a historic moment for Netflix. Nine years after the small-town sci-fi mystery debuted in 2016, Stranger Things finally ends.
However, this is not entirely true, since Stranger Things: Tales from 1985 will arrive in 2026, and the spin-off already looks a lot like a continuation of the original series. Of course, every spin-off owes something to its predecessor in terms of creativity, but Stranger Things: Tales from 1985 is a unique case.
The series follows the same characters, including Dustin, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Max and Will, in the same setting in Hawkins, Indiana, and takes place between seasons 2 and 3 of Stranger Things. The characters have been recast and the format has changed from live-action to animated, but it still feels suspiciously like an interquel rather than a spin-off.
Perhaps this should come as no surprise. After all, Netflix and its competitors have spent years trying to replicate the popularity of Stranger Things with more or less success. From YA horror comedies to anime adaptations, many shows aim to be the next Stranger Things since 2016.
8
Dark
2017 Dark is one of the best shows on this list, and proof that every show that has attempted to replace Stranger Things could be characterized as a simple scam or copycat. Instead, this German series simply had the chance to be a dark sci-fi mystery thriller set in a small town at the same time as Stranger things was taking the world by storm.
Lasting three seasons, Dark was constantly compared to Stranger Things in Netflix’s marketing, even though its trippy and unsettling time travel story was more complicated than that of the ’80s nostalgia hit. Fortunately, the comparisons between Dark And Stranger Things quickly ensured that this cult series captured a significant audience and attracted awards attention, making it Dark an influential success in its own right.
7
I don’t agree with this
Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman, I don’t agree with this is a darkly comedic coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows Sydney, played by Sophia Lillis. A teenager struggling with her character and her budding sexuality, Sydney discovers that her life is endlessly complicated when she develops psychokinetic powers fueled by her emotions.
Anchored by a stunning center turn from Lillis, I don’t agree with this also benefited from strong support work from Lillis He his co-star Wyatt Oleff and Sofia Bryant’s Dina. Although the series was canceled after just one season due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on production, I don’t agree with this remains an under-seen hidden gem.
6
Locke and key
Based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, Locke and key follows a trio of children who discover a set of magical keys in their new haunted house. What follows is a blend of fantasy, horror, and coming-of-age comedy-drama as the siblings escape a demonic villain while following the keys through numerous magical portals.
Although Locke and key was well-received, it’s a Netflix show that probably struggled thanks to its comparisons to Stranger Things. Critics complained that the series emphasized the coming-of-age elements of the source material and downplayed its horror, meaning that the tone of the series was closer to the then-recent divisive one. Stranger Things season 3 than the original books, darker.
5
The Institute
Released in 2025, The Institute is a supernatural horror series based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The links between The Institute And Stranger Things are particularly interesting, since King’s novel was released in 2019, well after Stranger Things season 1 was released for the first time.
It therefore seems fair to suggest Stranger Things had a great influence on the history of The Institutewhich follows a teenager imprisoned in a government facility for children with supernatural abilities. However, this plot was explored by King in the 1980s, in Fire starterwho had a major influence on Stranger Things in the first place.
It’s hard to say who copied who first in this case, but The InstituteThe television adaptation of is certainly inspired by Stranger Things season 1. Fortunately, this means the series is as dark and intense as that first outing, but still has enough originality to feel engaging and unpredictable in its own right.
4
One piece
Regardless of what viewers think of Netflix’s adaptation of One piecethere is one thing that can be said about the series. Compared to The Institute Or Darkit has nothing to do with Stranger Things. Indeed, the great similarity between this adaptation of the iconic manga and Stranger Things is that both shows have been touted as potential blockbuster mainstream franchises by Netflix.
Following the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates and their search for the titular treasure, One piece mixes gripping action set pieces with character comedy and a touch of fantasy, sci-fi, and even occasional horror. Although it was not as big a success as Stranger Things, One piece is proof that Netflix can expand and diversify its offerings.
3
Paper girls
2022 Paper girls only lasted one season, although it offered viewers a mix of coming-of-age comedy-drama, ’80s nostalgia, and sci-fi tropes that truly recaptured the vibe of Stranger Things. The show follows a quartet of girls whose Halloween 1988 paper journey turns dramatic when they inadvertently find themselves caught in a battle between time travelers.
Soon, the girls meet in a chaotic and trippy story that’s as fun as it is fast-paced. Paper girls it was rare Stranger Things copycat that could hold its own against the original show, thanks to the strength of the 2015-2019 comic book series the show was based on. Unfortunately, this couldn’t save the series from early cancellation.
2
Wednesday
Most of the shows listed here were moderately successful, while some were discontinued during their peak. However, out of all the titles on this list, only one managed to surpass Stranger Things in terms of popularity. In terms of minutes broadcast, Tim Burton’s film Addams Family spin-off Wednesday beat Stranger Things and almost every other Netflix TV show ever made.
This is largely due to Jenna Ortega’s pivotal role in the title role. However, even though the shows are very different, Wednesday also borrowed enough from Stranger Things to ensure its success. Both shows rely on a young cast and a dark mystery that unfolds throughout their first season.
Both shows also mixed coming-of-age comedy with supernatural elements, although WednesdayThe story focuses on fantasy, while Stranger Things prioritizes science fiction tropes. Finally, both shows have a bit of horror in their DNA, but never enough to completely exclude family viewing.
1
Goosebumps (2023)
While Stranger Things isn’t entirely a horror series, the series borrows heavily from nostalgic horror films of the 80s. So it’s no surprise that the year 2023 Goosebumps The reboot owes less to RL Stine’s original novels and more to Netflix’s wildly popular teen series.
From its mismatched group of feuding teenage heroes to its creepy, comedic tone, 2023 Goosebumps shamelessly follows the Stranger Things shot on a t-shirt. Fortunately, this results in a relatively solid, if unspectacular, coming-of-age adventure, even if it Stranger Things the imitator does not have the depth of Dark and the fantastic ingredients that Wednesday brings to the table.
- Release date
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July 15, 2016
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Directors
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Antal Nimród, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
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Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
