3 Reasons 'Travelers' on Netflix Needs to Be Your Next Watch After 'Stranger Things'

Published 01/12/2026, 2:51 AM EST

The love for sci-fi thrillers does not end with Stranger Things, which kept fans hooked for five full seasons. Once the finale is devoured, the craving for more thrillers and sci-fi stories will inevitably kick in. Fortunately, Netflix has several such offerings, including one underrated show that may have slipped past some of the most devoted genre enthusiasts.

This sci-fi time-travel thriller has impressive storytelling, which is paired with powerful performances. If anything, Stranger Things has only fueled the appetite for thrilling stories, and this hidden gem could be what is needed.

3 reasons to have this sci-fi series on your watchlist after Stranger Things

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The series, Travelers, which largely flew under the radar when it premiered in 2016, is not one to be missed. Firstly, this Canadian time-travel thriller boasts a rare 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which clearly shows its potential. 

Secondly, while many sci-fi time-travel series start strong and lose momentum along the way, it is rare to find one that has a good ending, and Travelers is one of those exceptions. The story ended in 3 seasons, with the finale being widely praised as near-perfect. Last but not least is its stellar cast, whose powerful performances make the series not just worth watching but also rewatching.

The series follows a group of operatives sent back from a post-apocalyptic future, arriving only as consciousnesses implanted into people's moments before their deaths. In each episode, the story grows more thrilling and intricate, with the travelers balancing the lives of their hosts and everyday struggles while secretly carrying out missions assigned by the Director.

Who Actually Wrote Netflix’s ‘His & Hers’? Meet the Masterminds Behind the Twisty Thriller

This is certainly a must-watch for those looking for a sci-fi thriller after Stranger Things. But for those who may have watched this hidden gem, there is another thriller to add to the watchlist, The X-Files.

What is The X-Files

This may be an older series, but it remains hugely popular among fans. The X-Files is one of the most intense thrillers to ever grace television, premiering in 1993. The show follows FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), a firm believer in extraterrestrial life, and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), a medical doctor and skeptic, as they investigate unexplained paranormal cases known as 'X-Files.'

The tension created by their opposing worldviews, combined with the show’s unsettling yet believable cases, makes it endlessly gripping. Spanning 11 seasons and two feature films, The X-Files delves into government conspiracies, alien colonization, and unseen forces lurking in the shadows. The result is a series that is both chilling and intelligent.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Even years after their debut, these shows and the haunting mysteries are the favorites of sci-fi and thriller fans. So, for those who loved Stranger Things, these two might be worth watching.

'Stranger Things' Fame Raves About NFL, Puts Chicago Bears’ Experience Above The Netflix Series

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Will you watch the Travelers? Let us know in the comments section below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Pritha Debroy

113 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK