5 Shows Like “Stranger Things” to Watch After Season 5

The debut of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” introduced fans to the Upside Down, Demogorgons, the Mind Flayer, Vecna and more with the release of the first season on July 15, 2016. It’s no surprise, then, that many devotees felt the effects of the fifth — and final — season’s end when its last episode came out on December 31, 2025. That’s especially true because the cast featured many young actors who grew up along with those watching the show. 

No matter how you felt about the way the show’s creators chose to conclude things, you’re probably wondering which show to stream next and hoping to prioritize options that will scratch the “Stranger Things” itch, as much as that’s possible, given the unexpected phenomenon that show became. Which shows like “Stranger Things” should you consider?

1. “Severance”

Ever wish you could be in two places at once to escape a bad day at work while still seeming present at the office among your colleagues? “Severance” explores Lumon Industries, which gives employees that option, courtesy of an implanted chip that creates two versions of themselves. Innies go to work, while Outies live life outside the office, and neither one has knowledge or memory of what the other does.

It doesn’t take long before the questions start piling up in viewers’ minds as they watch. What are the Innies doing all day at work, and how does it fit into the company’s goals? Are Lumon’s board members people? Whose side is Seth Milchick on? Why does Harmony Cobel have such a position of influence within the business? 

“Severance,” which has two completed seasons with a third on the way as early as the fall of 2027, should satisfy “Stranger Things” fans due to its fast pace and many head-scratching plot twists that’ll leave you feeling never truly sure what’s going on and what it all means. 

2. “Alice in Borderland”

“Alice in Borderland” originated as a manga by the same name, written by Haro Aso.  This science-fiction thriller should appeal to fans who became acquainted with the Upside Down while watching “Stranger Things” because it features the characters trapped in a parallel version of Tokyo. You’ll also notice elements similar to those in “The Hunger Games” and “Squid Game,” as the characters are players in games featuring life-threatening risks.

You’ll follow along as the three main characters compete to stay alive in this desolate and alternative location. Once the players enter the main games arena, they learn that a laser will kill them if they try to leave. Being detained that way turns this into a series like “Stranger Things,” highlighting many similarities with Will, who went missing during the first season of “Stranger Things,” as efforts from his family and friends to get him back furthered the storyline.

“Alice in Borderland” also features bold storytelling and anime-inspired visuals, giving it another similarity with “Stranger Things.” The latter’s story became significantly more in-depth as the seasons progressed, especially as the creators’ special-effects budget increased. 

3. “Dark” 

You’ll definitely see plenty of things that remind you of “Stranger Things” while watching this German show, which ran for three seasons. It centers on the residents of a fictional town as they search for the truth following a child’s disappearance. “Dark” earns its place on a list of shows like “Stranger Things” because it has an ensemble cast. The characters ultimately uncover a time-travel conspiracy that spans generations. It also becomes apparent that four families living in the town have numerous secrets, including double lives. 

The time-travel element also creates an additional parallel because part of the first season occurs in 1986, with all of “Stranger Things” taking place in the 80s. “Dark” is also another Netflix series. Some “Stranger Things: fans know that the show achieved fantastic viewership figures, with the fourth season logging more than a billion viewed hours within the first month of its release. “Dark” has Netflix acclaim of its own, though, with the show being Netflix’s first original series in German.

4. “Locke and Key” 

The creators of this three-season fantasy TV series based it on a comic book series of the same name. The story begins with the murder of Rendell Locke, and his wife Nina’s decision to  move to his family home, Keyhouse in the aftermath, accompanied by their kids. The children soon learn that the house contains numerous keys that unlock various doors with magic. 

They also discover that a demonic entity is just as interested in the keys, but for evil purposes. In 2020, one reviewer said the show had the potential to become the next “Stranger Things,” making it an excellent choice for people seeking to fill the void in their streaming diet that the recently concluded show left behind. 

5. “Black Spot”

Like “Stranger Things,” this Belgian-French supernatural thriller takes place in a small town. Although Amazon Prime acquired the global streaming rights for the first season, Netflix released the second season. It then dropped the series in 2024, much to the surprise of some fans. 

The plot revolves around Police-Major Laurène Weiss, who works in a location with a murder rate six times higher than the national average. Further investigations show that many of the murders happened in the forest that surrounds the town. The third episode of the first season also involves a character who emerges from a labyrinth of caves. “Stranger Things” fans will certainly appreciate that detail, especially because a cave played such a major role in that show’s final season. 

Make Room for Shows Like Stranger Things

The ending of a much-beloved TV show can be so jarring that many people don’t know what to watch next and feel as though they have lost a friend. When considering what to watch after “Stranger Things,” give the alternatives on this list a try. Remember that enjoying one or more of them doesn’t mean you have replaced “Stranger Things” in your heart. You’ve remained open to other possibilities and broadened your viewing opportunities instead.