5 Upcoming TV Shows That Could Be Better Than Stranger Things

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Netflix is actively looking for its next big hit like Stranger Things. The show, which premiered in 2016, captivated audiences for five seasons over almost ten years and consistently broke viewing records. In fact, viewers watched a staggering 8.65 billion minutes of the series during the week of December 29th to January 4th, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Even during breaks between seasons, Stranger Things remained incredibly profitable through a wide range of merchandise, including clothing, games, food, and more.

Streamers are all hoping to create their own big hit series, similar to Stranger Things, and Netflix is no different – they’re already planning spinoffs to keep that success going. While Stranger Things will remain popular for a long time, having another equally successful, new show would be a huge win. The five shows listed below have the potential to become massive hits, whether on Netflix or another streaming platform.

5) Crystal Lake

The story of Jason Voorhees began with the short film “Sweet Revenge,” but really takes off with this year’s “Crystal Lake,” a prequel series featuring Linda Cardellini. Like “Stranger Things,” this new chapter in the “Friday the 13th” franchise has the potential to be incredibly successful, and merchandise is already appearing – Angry Orchard even released a Jason-themed cider when the original short film came out.

This show has the potential to be even better than Stranger Things because it also aims to capture the feel of the 1980s – the decade when Friday the 13th was most popular. The recent “Sweet Revenge” episode proved the creators understand how to blend classic elements with fresh ideas, which is exactly what the Friday the 13th franchise needs after being inactive for so long.

4) The Boroughs

The Duffer Brothers’ production company, Upside Down Pictures, has three projects planned for release in 2026: Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, The Boroughs, and another one we’ll discuss shortly.

While several shows have potential, The Boroughs stands out due to its strong cast and a familiar, nostalgic feel reminiscent of Stranger Things. The show is set in a retirement community where a group of residents must band together to prevent a cosmic force from stealing their remaining time. It captures the group dynamic of Stranger Things and also draws inspiration from the 1980s film Cocoon. With a talented ensemble including Bill Pullman, Jena Malone, Alfre Woodard, Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, and Dee Wallace, The Boroughs has the potential to become a new fan favorite.

3) Spider-Noir

2026 promises to be a huge year for Spider-Man fans! We’re getting the second season of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, titled Spider-Man: Brand New Day, plus a particularly exciting new series called Spider-Noir. All three are expected to be amazing.

Nicolas Cage brilliantly voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and now, eight years later, he’s taking on the role in live-action. The trailer for his new Prime Video series is generating a lot of buzz, and if the show receives good reviews, it has the potential to be one of the biggest hits of the year – and early signs suggest it will.

2) Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen

Similar to The Boroughs, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is a new project from the Duffer Brothers and their Upside Down Pictures. But the recent trailer suggests a style reminiscent of Mike Flanagan’s work.

A big part of what made Stranger Things so captivating, particularly when it first came out, was the mystery. Viewers didn’t know much about what was going to happen, and that was exciting. With Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, we only know a wedding takes place – and, as the title suggests, something terrible is coming.

1) Lanterns

The upcoming series Lanterns, planned for 2026 as part of the DCU’s first chapter, is expected to be as successful as Peacemaker, and potentially even more so. Unlike Peacemaker, which started as a spin-off from a less successful movie, Lanterns is a fresh story with two strong central characters.

Everything is coming together really well for Lanterns. The recent shows Creature Commandos, Superman, and Season 2 of Peacemaker were all well-received, and the cast is incredibly strong. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre (from Rebel Ridge) are both excellent actors, and Nathan Fillion is reprising his role as Guy Gardner. Plus, the series features Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men), Garret Dillahunt, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, making for a truly impressive lineup of talent.

What show are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-19 03:40