Shows like Stranger Things are absolutely taking over streaming platforms right now, and honestly, if you’re suffering withdrawal from Hawkins while waiting for Season 5, there’s a whole universe of supernatural mysteries ready to fill that Upside Down-shaped hole in your viewing schedule. Netflix and other services have basically built entire catalogs around that nostalgic horror sweet spot.
Dark Does Time Travel Better
Dark on Netflix makes Stranger Things look simple with its intricate time travel mythology spanning four generations of families in Winden, Germany. Jonas and Martha’s relationship across multiple timelines creates emotional complexity that puts most supernatural romances to shame, while the show’s scientific approach to temporal mechanics satisfies viewers craving intellectual horror.
The German series concludes definitively after three seasons, providing complete story resolution that shows like Stranger Things rarely achieve. Dark’s philosophical depth about determinism versus free will elevates typical sci-fi concepts into existential territory.
Locke & Key’s Horror
Locke & Key transforms Joe Hill’s comics into family-friendly supernatural adventure that captures Stranger Things’ nostalgic charm. The Locke family discovers magical keys throughout their ancestral home that unlock different powers, while ancient demons threaten their newfound sanctuary.
Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode Locke mirror the Stranger Things kids’ dynamic, combining teenage drama with life-threatening supernatural encounters. Dodge/Gideon’s shape-shifting abilities create paranoia similar to Mind Flayer possession, keeping viewers guessing about character motivations.
Paper Girls Gets Punk
Paper Girls on Amazon Prime follows four 12-year-old girls who accidentally time travel while delivering newspapers on Halloween 1988. Mac, Tiffany, Erin, and KJ encounter their adult selves across different timelines, creating emotional complexity about growing up and changing dreams.
The series examines how childhood friendships evolve through time, addressing LGBTQ+ themes and family dynamics with greater maturity than most shows like Stranger Things. Unfortunately, Amazon canceled the series after one season despite critical acclaim.
Supernatural Gets Meta
The Umbrella Academy brings dysfunctional superhero family dynamics to apocalyptic scenarios that reset every season. Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Five, Ben, and Viktor Hargreeves possess unique abilities but struggle with childhood trauma inflicted by their adoptive father Sir Reginald.
Klaus’s ghost communication abilities and Five’s time travel expertise create supernatural elements familiar to Stranger Things fans, while sibling relationships provide emotional grounding amid chaos. Gerard Way’s comic adaptation maintains gothic atmosphere throughout multiple timeline changes.
Manifest Does Mystery Right
Manifest follows passengers of Flight 828 who experience temporal displacement and mysterious “callings” that guide their actions. Ben Stone (Josh Dallas) and his family navigate government conspiracy, religious prophecy, and supernatural phenomena that affect all returning passengers differently.
The series combines procedural elements with overarching mythology, similar to Stranger Things’ monster-of-the-week structure building toward larger revelations. Manifest’s spiritual themes add religious complexity to typical sci-fi conspiracy formulas.
Evil Perfects Paranormal Investigation
Evil on Paramount+ stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi as investigators examining supernatural phenomena for the Catholic Church. The series balances scientific skepticism with genuine supernatural horror, creating ambiguity about whether events have natural or paranormal explanations.
Dr. Kristen Bouchard’s psychological expertise, David Acosta’s seminary training, and Ben Shakir’s technology skills mirror the Stranger Things group’s diverse problem-solving approaches. Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson) provides charismatic evil comparable to Vecna’s psychological manipulation.
Why These Actually Work
Shows like Stranger Things succeed by combining nostalgic period settings with contemporary social themes, allowing viewers to experience familiar emotions through supernatural metaphors. These series understand that horror works best when grounded in relatable character relationships and authentic emotional stakes.
Streaming platforms recognize the demand for supernatural content that respects audience intelligence while delivering genuine scares and emotional satisfaction. The most successful shows like Stranger Things avoid condescending to younger audiences while including enough complexity to satisfy adult viewers.
Top Recommendations: Dark, Locke & Key, The Umbrella Academy, Evil, Manifest
Best Alternative: Dark (for complexity), Locke & Key (for family adventure)