Every time Stranger Things hits pause, it feels like being pushed out of the Upside Down with no return point, only questions, theories, and the urge to dive straight back in. With the beloved Netflix IP debuting Volume One of its conclusive chapter on November 26 and Volume Two still out of reach, the masses are once again left chasing that familiar spark of adventure and dread. The good news, however, is that Netflix is stacked with shows that scratch the same supernatural itch, blending high-stakes suspense with grounded emotions.

While Hawkins takes its breath before the next big showdown, these binge-worthy series can fill the void and keep one’s imagination running wild.

This German sci-fi thriller follows the disappearance of children in the small town of Winden, which turns into a time-twisting mystery that stretches across three generations. Spread over three seasons and 26 episodes, the show mixes family secrets, strange scientific events, and a growing conspiracy that changes everything the characters thought they knew.

Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, Dark stars Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari, Oliver Masucci, and others. Its layered story, haunting mood, and emotional depth feel similar to the heavier moments of Stranger Things. Both shows deal with missing kids, hidden experiments, and the dangers of crossing into forces not fully understood.

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The following suggestion is a Japanese creation that had viewers in a rightful chokehold in its era, mirroring the craze of Stranger Things.

Set in an empty, alternate version of Tokyo, Alice in Borderland throws a group of teens into deadly games they must win to stay alive. Across three seasons and 22 fast-paced episodes, the show based on Haro Aso’s manga keeps the tension high with puzzles that challenge both the characters' minds and their bonds with each other.

Led by Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya and directed by Shinsuke Sato, the series brings real emotion into its action-heavy storyline. Its mix of danger, teamwork, and constant twists captures a similar energy to the teens fighting monsters and threats back in Hawkins.

Set on a beautiful island, this two-season show with 21 episodes begins as a normal summer camp story before sliding into psychological horror. Mia, used to being the most popular girl around, meets Amber who is mysterious, controlling, and not quite human. As strange events unfold, the island becomes a trapped space of secrets and fear.

Starring Lisa Ambalavanar and Ellie Duckles, The A List blends teen drama with eerie supernatural elements. Its isolated setting and sense of paranoia bring to mind the strange experiments and hidden truths behind Hawkins Lab. Like Stranger Things, friendships are pushed to the limit in this as something darker begins to take over.

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The next endeavor proves that adventures do not have to stop after departing the world. It, in fact, starts right when a person discards the human form, ridding themselves of all the rules of the tangible world.

This one-season supernatural mystery follows two teen ghosts who dodge the afterlife to help other spirits solve their unfinished business. Light, fun, and full of quirky magic, the show still carries emotional weight beneath its adventurous tone.

Starring George Rexstrew, Jayden Revri, Kassius Nelson, and Briana Cuoco, the series is connected to Neil Gaiman’s Sandman universe. Its mix of paranormal cases, humour, and found-family warmth lines up with the charm that Stranger Things loyalists love.

Told across eight episodes, Archive 81 centers on an archivist restoring a box of old videotapes linked to a missing filmmaker. As he watches the footage, the lines between the past and present begin to blur, pulling him into something far more terrifying.

Starring Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi, the show has a moody, slow-burn mystery that feels perfect for admirers of retro tech, creepy organizations, and the idea that there are worlds hidden just out of sight.

This 10-episode drama follows a group of teens who return from a school trip to find their town completely empty and cut off from the rest of the world. With no adults and no answers, they have to form their own rules while trying to figure out what happened.

Starring Kathryn Newton and Gideon Adlon and created by Christopher Keyser, the series leans more toward character drama than full-on sci-fi. But its mystery, tension, and the pressure of young people suddenly being in charge echo some of the themes in Stranger Things.

Across four seasons and 36 episodes, this superhero drama follows adopted siblings with unique powers who reunite to stop the end of the world. With time travel, emotional clashes, and plenty of wild twists, the show is as heartfelt as it is chaotic. Starring Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Aidan Gallagher, and Emmy Raver-Lampman, the series mixes family drama with big, world-ending stakes. 

Notably, though there are plenty of thrilling alternatives to dive into while awaiting Stranger Things’ conclusion, the series itself still has more to offer, including a confirmed spin-off that promises to expand the universe the world has come to love. In the meantime, these shows provide the perfect bridge, keeping hearts racing, minds guessing, and imaginations alive. Whether it is twisted mysteries, supernatural battles, or emotional bonds tested under pressure, Netflix ensures the adventure does not end when the screen goes dark.

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Which of these Stranger Things alternatives will be your first pick? Let us know in the comments.