Nearly a full decade and 5 seasons later, the hit TV show “Stranger Things” has finally come to a close. The Netflix series was a smashing hit from its very first season. It instantly cemented its characters and iconography in the cultural zeitgeist while also helping to kick off the ‘80s nostalgia wave.
Every subsequent season felt like its own cultural moment within itself. Each year that a new season came, new and unique trends followed, whether that be Scoops Ahoy and red cherry slushies or Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” charting to number one over 30 years after its release.
Where does one go from here? The good news is that in the streaming age, shows are abundant, and plenty of them can fill that “Stranger Things”-shaped hole in your heart. Here are five series featuring eerie small towns and groups of plucky kids fighting supernatural threats.
“Dark” (2017-2020)
Don’t be scared off by that title. While “Dark” may be a bit bleaker, it has no shortage of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The series follows four families whose wicked and mysterious pasts come to light after two children go missing in their quiet German town. Not only is it all around a well-crafted show, it is also Netflix’s first original series in German. You can stream it on Netflix.
“It: Welcome to Derry” (2025-)
This one seems like a no-brainer. Not only was the original novel by Stephen King a huge source of inspiration for “Stranger Things,” but both franchises feature Finn Wolfhard in prominent roles – though he does not have a role in this prequel series. This series is set 27 years before the events of the 2017 film. It follows a new set of characters in Derry, Maine, as they unravel the secret horrors of Pennywise and the town itself. You can stream it on HBO Max.
“Alice in Borderland” (2020-)
Based on the manga of the same name, “Alice in Borderland” follows an unemployed gamer named Arisu as he is transported to a desolate mirror of Tokyo. In these “Borderlands,” he and his friends must compete in dangerous games based on playing cards to survive. This show is much more action-packed than the others, but it keeps the mystery and unearthly atmosphere alive. You can stream it on Netflix.
“Locke & Key” (2020-2022)
Once again, this TV show is based on a comic book of the same name. “Locke & Key” focuses on three siblings who move into their deceased father’s home in small-town Massachusetts. Upon their arrival, they find a number of strange keys that hold magical properties that are unlocked when used on doors in the house. Their use of these keys attracts enemies, but it may also guide them to the answer of their father’s death. You can stream it on Netflix.
“Twin Peaks” (1990-1991, 2017)
No list of creepy, rural community shows would be complete without the premiere one. “Twin Peaks” is a strange series, but an essential one. It follows a small Pacific Northwest town that is shaken up by the death of teenager Laura Palmer. The investigation into her killing leads into some surreal and supernatural places that are hard to forget. You can stream it on Pluto TV.
