7 TV Shows Like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ to Binge Before the Revival

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While fans eagerly await the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer revival, several other sci-fi and horror shows can provide entertainment in the meantime. The series finale of the original Buffy left many wondering if they’d ever see those beloved characters again – aside from rewatching the seven seasons, naturally. Excitement grew in February 2025 with news of a potential Hulu revival, and now we know New Sunnydale, starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong as the next Slayer, Nova, is scheduled for release in 2026.

Buffy Summers is a TV icon, equally skilled at witty conversations and fighting vampires. But she’s not alone! Many other shows feature intelligent, capable protagonists, exciting action, and stories about growing up. Here are a few fantastic series to add to your watch list, ranging from a five-season sci-fi adventure with a phenomenal lead actor playing multiple roles, to another show tackling monsters each week.

‘The Umbrella Academy’


Netflix

While Season 4 of The Umbrella Academy doesn’t quite live up to earlier seasons, the first three seasons are still a charming and exciting story about a group of magically gifted adopted siblings. The show, featuring Elliot Page as Number Seven, also known as Viktor Hargreeves, centers around these siblings and their upbringing by the wealthy Sir Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), and the earlier seasons largely make up for the disappointing finale.

If you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll probably like The Umbrella Academy. Both shows feature smart characters battling evil while navigating a bizarre and frightening world that feels very different from our own. Like Buffy, who repeatedly works to save humanity—even getting a funny tombstone inscription after sacrificing herself in Season 5 that reads, “She saved the world. A lot.”—the siblings in The Umbrella Academy are dedicated to preventing the end of the world.

‘Orphan Black’


BBC America

If you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its themes of good versus evil and strong teamwork, you’ll likely love the sci-fi series Orphan Black. This compelling show, which ran for five seasons (2013-2017), centers around clones, family bonds, and overcoming trauma. Tatiana Maslany’s performance as all seventeen clones is particularly acclaimed and remains a highlight of the series.

As a huge fan of both shows, I’ve always noticed the similarities between Buffy and Orphan Black. It really hit me that both stories start with a character’s normal life being completely upended – for Buffy, it’s finding out she’s a vampire slayer, and for Sarah in Orphan Black, it’s seeing her exact look-alike die right before her eyes. What I love about both shows is how they blend sci-fi concepts with really relatable, emotional stories about family. Just like Buffy’s fiercely protective of her sister Dawn, Sarah is constantly worried sick about her daughter Kira. It’s that emotional core that really draws you in, even with all the supernatural stuff going on.

‘Wednesday’


Netflix

Like Buffy and her crew – characters such as the strong-willed Faith and the intelligent Willow – Wednesday Addams and her peers at Nevermore Academy stand out because they’re all a bit different. While Wednesday, currently with two seasons and a third on the way on Netflix, doesn’t showcase every quirky trait of the Addams Family, it’s a great choice for fans who enjoy the strong, independent characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

You can now watch all 16 episodes of Wednesday Season 2, even though Netflix released them in two batches – a pattern they seem to be repeating. It’s enjoyable to picture Wednesday and Buffy teaming up to battle the Hyde Monster, which was the main villain in Season 1. They’d probably admire each other’s self-reliance, even if others disagreed with their choices.

‘Roswell’


The WB/UPN

If you were a fan of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you might also enjoy Roswell. Both shows offered compelling stories and focused on complicated romantic relationships. Like Buffy, who had to choose between two very different love interests, the main character in Roswell, Liz Evans, finds herself falling for Max Parker – with the added twist that he’s an alien. If you’re looking for romance mixed with a bit of danger and mystery, Roswell is a good pick.

With multiple seasons available, Roswell is a good show to watch from beginning to end before the new Buffy series and other shows debut on Hulu around 2026. Both Roswell and Buffy feature exciting action and compelling villains, but they’re also known for the strong relationships between their characters. Roswell was so well-received that it was revived with a four-season run (Roswell, New Mexico) on The CW from 2019 to 2022, though many fans still prefer the original series for its originality.

‘The Vampire Diaries’


The CW

The TV show The Vampire Diaries centers around Elena Gilbert, a typical teenager played by Nina Dobrev, and it shares the exciting love triangle dynamic that made Buffy the Vampire Slayer so popular. The central question is whether Elena will choose the thoughtful and reserved Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) or his more daring and rebellious brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder). It also echoes the dilemma faced in Buffy, asking if a lasting relationship is possible with either of these complicated characters.

If you’re looking for a fun and romantic show to watch before Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, The Vampire Diaries is a great option. Like the original Buffy, each season feels fresh and different. The Vampire Diaries avoids repeating storylines by introducing new villains – like Klaus, who appears in Season 2 – and keeps viewers guessing, as characters’ fates are always uncertain.

‘Supernatural’


The CW

If you loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll likely enjoy Supernatural, which follows the adventures of brothers Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) as they protect people from supernatural dangers. Like Buffy, Supernatural explores strong family relationships, delivers heartfelt moments, and features memorable supporting characters, such as Angel and Castiel (Misha Collins).

Even though Supernatural ended after 15 seasons, it remains incredibly popular, leaving fans hopeful for a possible reboot someday. Until then, rewatching the show’s 300+ episodes is a great option, especially if you haven’t seen it yet. It’s been enjoyable to watch the careers of the cast members flourish, but for many viewers, the special connection between Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles was truly unique and irreplaceable.

‘The X-Files’


Fox

Before Buffy debuted on The WB, The X-Files premiered on Fox, introducing audiences to the dynamic between Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). While Buffy focuses more on teenage drama, both shows share a similar format—each week features a new monster—which is strangely comforting, even when the stories are scary.

While many TV shows have featured memorable villains since Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files really started the trend of intelligent characters investigating a different strange creature each week. The episode “Squeeze” (Season 1, Episode 3) introduces Eugene Victor Tooms, a terrifying mutant serial killer, and it’s instantly captivating. Tooms is as frightening as any monster from Buffy, including the formidable Glory. Though the Buffy revival wasn’t as strong as the original series, it shows that the story could still be compelling. And if Ryan Coogler were to create a new X-Files series, it would likely be a fresh and interesting take.

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2025-12-20 04:20