As a huge fan, it felt surreal watching the final episode of Stranger Things on New Year’s Eve after almost ten years! The finale was extra long and did a pretty good job of tying up all the loose ends of the story, which was so complex and full of surprises. But honestly, it left me with so many questions, and the internet immediately blew up with theories about a hidden, secret ending that didn’t actually exist, thankfully! It was a bittersweet goodbye to Hawkins.
Now that Stranger Things has finished, it’s a good time to remember how much we loved it, but also to explore other recent sci-fi and fantasy shows that are just as good—or even better. These shows might not have gotten as much attention, but they’re all fantastic and worth watching. Here are seven of them.
7) Sense8
Despite lasting only two seasons, Sense8, created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski and J. Michael Straczynski, remains one of Netflix’s most acclaimed science fiction shows. The series centers on eight strangers from around the world who discover they are mentally and emotionally connected – they’re called “sensates.” This unique group is also targeted by a dangerous organization, Biologic Preservation Organization, which wants to eliminate them.
Although Sense8 and Stranger Things are quite different, they explore similar ideas. Sense8 is special because, despite being a science fiction drama with supernatural elements, it’s fundamentally about finding yourself, the importance of family, understanding different cultures, and feeling like you belong. Sadly, the show was cancelled after two seasons, but the creators were able to make a two-hour finale to provide closure.
6) I Am Not Okay With This
Netflix’s I Am Not Okay With This is a short, one-season series about a teenager named Sydney Novak, played by Sophia Lillis, who’s navigating the ups and downs of growing up. On top of typical teenage issues like family drama, first crushes, and dealing with the loss of her father, Sydney discovers she has psychic powers that flare up when she’s feeling strong emotions. She struggles to control these powers throughout the series.
I really enjoyed I Am Not Okay With This, even though it was cut short. It ended on such a crazy cliffhanger – Sydney just unleashed her powers in a really intense way, and then this creepy guy shows up implying she’s dangerous! But even with the superpowers, it felt way more realistic and personal than something like Stranger Things. It was starting to explore similar ideas, but in a much more down-to-earth way, which I loved. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see where it was going.
5) From
The sci-fi horror series From is a standout show currently on television. Unlike many others, it’s still being made, with the fourth season planned for release around 2026. The show takes place in a terrifying American town where anyone who enters becomes trapped, with no idea why or how. To make matters worse, escape is impossible, and every night the residents must fight for their lives against frightening creatures that emerge from the nearby forest.
From is a truly excellent show. It blends science fiction, mystery, and horror, with a deep backstory and a complex, intriguing plot. Featuring some genuinely frightening creatures, it’s far more adult than Stranger Things – definitely not for children. From is twisty, unsettling, and completely captivating, yet somehow also strangely rewarding.
4) Alice in Borderland
The Japanese sci-fi thriller Alice in Borderland, now three seasons in, shares similarities with Stranger Things but takes a much grimmer approach. The show centers around a group of people mysteriously transported to a deserted, alternate Tokyo. There, they’re forced to participate in deadly games. These games are determined by playing cards, and winning extends their ‘visas’ – essentially, their right to live. If a visa expires, players are executed by lasers from the sky.
People have compared this show to stories like The Hunger Games and Battle Royale, but what really sets it apart is its focus on the characters’ minds and the strange, distorted version of Tokyo it presents. It’s a captivating series that, in many ways, feels more complex and unsettling than even the world of the Upside Down.
3) Riverdale
Okay, I get it – Riverdale being on this list might seem weird at first. If you only remember the first season, which was pretty standard teen drama, you’d be right to be skeptical. But trust me, the show goes way off the rails in the best way possible. Over seven seasons, it spirals into full-blown sci-fi and fantasy. We’re talking murder mysteries, creepy cults, alternate realities, serial killers… and even a whole storyline where they jump to the 1950s and create a totally different timeline! Honestly, it feels like Riverdale throws everything at the wall to see what sticks, and it’s a wild ride.
Though the show can be quite silly and exaggerated at times, it’s also remarkably well-crafted. The more outlandish the plots become, the more enjoyable it is. Despite being completely ridiculous—especially the final season and its explanation—it remains one of the most disturbing and original series ever created. It truly is that good, and we can confidently say so now, three years after it ended.
2) Dark
Germany’s Dark is a sci-fi mystery thriller that many consider to be one of the best TV shows of recent years. The story unfolds in the small town of Winden, where the disappearance of a child leads four families on a quest for answers. Their search quickly reveals a dark and intricate time travel conspiracy that stretches across generations. It’s a complex, twist-filled show that brilliantly explores the concept of time paradoxes.
As a critic, I can tell you Dark is something special. It’s incredibly complex, jumping between past, future, and even a parallel world. Honestly, it sounds messy, but somehow it all weaves together into one incredibly satisfying story. What really sets it apart is that the sci-fi isn’t just window dressing – it’s fundamental to everything. Seriously, don’t miss this show; it’s a must-watch.
1) The Power
The 2023 Amazon Prime Video series, The Power, is based on Naomi Alderman’s novel of the same name. The show presents a world much like our own, with one key difference: teenage girls around the globe suddenly develop the ability to generate electricity and shock people. This unexpected change dramatically alters society, leading to a reversal of power dynamics and ultimately, to women becoming the dominant gender, particularly as younger women discover they can also give this power to older women.
Whenever things change, people often resist, and the series The Power delves into that resistance, as well as what happens when those who have been held down finally gain the ability to fight back. Although the show wasn’t able to continue past its first season, that single season is captivating, well-made, and definitely worth watching.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-20 03:13