10 TV shows to watch after Stranger Things season 5 – including incredible hidden gems

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These shows may just fill that Hawkins-shaped hole in your heart after Stranger Things season 5.

After nearly ten seasons of thrilling adventures – filled with monsters like the Demogorgon and Demodogs, and dangerous journeys into the Upside Down – the Duffer Brothers’ hugely popular sci-fi horror series is ending, and we’re just as sad about it as you are.

The popular Netflix series, Stranger Things, is coming to an end, which will be sad for many viewers. However, fans won’t have to say goodbye completely! Several spin-off shows are being developed, including an animated series called Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, featuring the familiar characters, and scheduled to launch in 2026.

While we’re eagerly awaiting more stories in this exciting sci-fi world, there are lots of other great shows to watch. If you enjoy fantasy like Dungeons & Dragons, thrilling sci-fi action, or spooky horror, these series will keep you entertained until the next installment arrives.

Scroll on to find our top 10 shows which you can tune into after Stranger Things.

1. It: Welcome to Derry

Where can I watch it? Sky/HBO Max

I was so excited when the story leading up to Stephen King’s classic, terrifying 1986 novel finally arrived on Sky and HBO Max earlier this year! It delves into the origins of Pennywise the Clown, that truly frightening, shape-shifting creature that haunted my nightmares as a kid.

I’m really excited about ‘Welcome to Derry’! It’s a prequel to those ‘It’ movies we all loved, and it takes us back to the early 1960s – a really cool time. The story starts 27 years before the first movie, in 1962, and it’s about how kids in Derry started disappearing mysteriously. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all began.

Amanda Christine, who plays Ronnie in the new movie, shared how Bill Skarsgård, who plays Pennywise, was kept separate during filming. She said she really wanted to see him on set, but the production team kept his presence very confidential, almost like a closely guarded secret.

We caught brief glimpses of him occasionally, but when we finally saw him clearly, it was really frightening. He was very tall, had a disturbing outfit and mask, and sometimes appeared with teeth and blood.

Similar to Stephen King’s books, the show delves into a past appearance of the terrifying, shape-shifting creature – something that happens roughly every 27 years. Pennywise thrives by exploiting the fears and negativity of the people of Derry, especially its children.

If you enjoy shows with a strong sense of nostalgia, spooky small-town vibes, and a creepy, fear-based threat, you’ll want to check this one out!

2. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Where can I watch it? Apple TV+

If you enjoy stories with lots of monsters, detailed world-building, and a mysterious government organization, then the Monsterverse spin-off, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, could be a great fit.

The Apple TV+ series tells a story across two different time periods. One storyline focuses on siblings Cate and Kentaro as they learn about their father’s hidden link to the mysterious Monarch organization. The other shows what happened in the 1950s with a younger Lee Shaw, when he first discovered the existence of Titans and a hidden world beneath the Earth’s surface.

Good news for viewers who enjoyed season one: the second season is coming soon! It’s officially scheduled to premiere on February 27, 2026, and promises to be a fantastic continuation for fans of Kong: Skull Island.

As a film lover, what really struck me was the director’s commitment to showing the genuine heartbreak of this story – the real tragedy both characters experienced. It wasn’t just about the adventure; it was about the deep emotional toll it took on them, and he wanted to make sure that came across.

3. Wayward

Where can I watch it? Netflix

Mae Martin, known for their comedic work in “Feel Good,” took a surprising turn with the psychological thriller “Wayward.” While a departure from comedy, the Netflix limited series proved to be a captivating and twisty drama that kept audiences on the edge of their seats until the final moments.

Okay, so this show really got me hooked. It’s set in this tiny, seemingly perfect town called Tall Pines, but trust me, things are way off. Basically, kids who are considered ‘troubled’ mysteriously end up sent to this place called Tall Pines Academy – it’s supposed to be a school to help them, but it feels…wrong. And running the whole operation is this incredibly charismatic woman named Evelyn, played by Toni Collette, who definitely seems to be pulling all the strings. She’s the one you immediately don’t trust, and that’s part of what makes it so good!

New police officer Alex (Martin) arrives in town with his pregnant wife (Sarah Gadon) and quickly finds himself caught up in a complex case. It starts with an escaped teenager and leads him to uncover disturbing secrets that have been hidden for ten years.

This gripping thriller, like Stranger Things, features intriguing small-town secrets and unsettling characters in positions of power. It’s a compelling watch with a surprisingly emotional depth.

4. Castle Rock

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Where can I watch it? Prime Video

If you’re after an extra horror fix, the next two entries are definitely for you.

Castle Rock is a suspenseful series, spanning two seasons, that takes place in the same universe as Stephen King’s stories, specifically in Maine. It creates a chilling mood with its small-town backdrop, reminiscent of the unsettling events and secrets found in places like Hawkins.

The first season focuses on a strange case involving lawyer Henry Deaver (André Holland) and a mysterious inmate known only as “The Kid” (Bill Skarsgård). The Kid is found locked in a hidden part of Shawshank Prison and keeps calling out Henry’s name, though no one knows why.

Get ready for a lot of strange, otherworldly events involving time and a constant feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

Season two delves into the backstory of Annie Wilkes, the notorious nurse from Stephen King’s Misery, as she settles in Castle Rock with her daughter, Joy. But her new life is quickly disrupted by a conflict with a strange and dangerous evil connected to the town itself.

5. The Outsider

Where can I watch it? Prime Video

This new horror series is a hidden gem, a chilling and atmospheric adaptation of a Stephen King story. It features a fantastic cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Jason Bateman, and Ben Mendelsohn.

The story starts as a typical crime investigation, triggered by the shocking murder of a child. But the case takes a strange turn when solid proof clashes with DNA evidence pointing to Terry Maitland, a Little League coach. Detective Ralph Anderson and a private investigator then team up, despite their doubts, to find out what really happened.

This 10-episode series is full of surprises, starting as a standard crime show but quickly becoming much more mysterious and eerie. It’s constantly building suspense with cliffhangers and unexpected turns, and the ending is one of the most shocking television finales in years.

If you’re a fan of the more unsettling storylines in Stranger Things, and you enjoy a mystery that unfolds gradually with a monster cleverly disguised among us, then you absolutely need to check this out. It’s a slow-burn, but it really pays off if you like that kind of thing.

6. His Dark Materials

Where can I watch it? BBC iPlayer

This three-season series brilliantly brings Philip Pullman’s famous books to life and is considered one of the best fantasy shows in recent years. If you enjoy Stranger Things, you’ll likely love this too – it’s a similar adventure led by children, exploring alternate worlds and focusing on their emotional journeys as they grow up.

I’m totally hooked on this series! It’s about this amazing girl named Lyra, played by Daphne Keen, who’s an orphan and has this incredible animal companion called Pantalaimon. They discover a way into another world, and it quickly becomes clear there’s a really dangerous secret involving this powerful, controlling religious group called the Magisterium. It’s a wild ride!

I’m so excited to follow Lyra as she teams up with Will, a boy just like us, on this incredible adventure! They’re heading north, and it’s seriously dangerous. Imagine meeting armored talking bears, witches, and even angels! It’s not just about their journey, though – they’re right in the middle of a massive war that could decide the fate of everything, all the different worlds!

The show boasts a fantastic cast, including Ruth Wilson, James McAvoy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, alongside Jenna Keen in this BBC fantasy series.

7. Locke & Key

Where can I watch it? Netflix

Locke & Key is a new fantasy series on Netflix that blends in some scary elements. It’s based on the popular graphic novels by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez.

After their father’s death, the Locke children – Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode – move into their family’s old house. They soon discover the house holds magical keys that open doors to incredible worlds and abilities, but also unleash dangerous, dark forces that should have remained hidden. The series follows the siblings as they navigate these discoveries and come of age.

Locke & Key features young characters dealing with strange, supernatural dangers, including magical portals and creepy creatures. The family home is a central and important location, similar to the house in Stranger Things, making it a great show for fans of that series.

8. The Legend of Vox Machina

Where can I watch it? Prime Video

Were you captivated by the Dungeons & Dragons games played by Mike, Will, and Eddie in Stranger Things? If so, you’ll likely enjoy Critical Role’s animated series, The Legend of Vox Machina, which is based on the very first tabletop role-playing game campaign played by these popular voice actors.

A group of mismatched heroes embarks on a quest to save their world, Exandria, from dangerous enemies like sinister cults, powerful vampires, and greedy dragons. The story is filled with plenty of mature and funny moments.

The show features familiar fantasy characters inspired by the popular game, making it a great way to learn about the different classes and races in Dungeons & Dragons. With five seasons planned, and an animated series based on their second campaign also in the works, there’s a lot of content for fans to enjoy.

9. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Where can I watch it? Netflix

This darker version of the Sabrina story, unlike the cheerful ’90s TV show, centers on teenage Sabrina Spellman as she balances a normal high school life with a secret world of witchcraft. She navigates friends, romance, and all the usual teen drama while also training as a powerful witch within the Church of Night.

Over two seasons, Sabrina—with help from her magical family, her coven, and her human friends—fights demons, discovers hidden truths about her family, endures challenges in Hell, and ultimately faces a showdown with Satan himself.

If you enjoy shows like Stranger Things, this teen drama about the supernatural is a great choice. It features a typical small town, teenagers battling strange and scary forces, and lots of monsters. However, unlike Stranger Things, ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ focuses much more on witchcraft and truly terrifying, cosmic horror.

10. Wednesday (Netflix)

Where can I watch it? Netflix

Netflix’s latest gothic hit is “Wednesday,” a spin-off based on The Addams Family. The show follows Wednesday as she attends Nevermore Academy, a school for students who are different. It’s full of interesting supernatural characters like sirens, werewolves, vampires, gorgons, and those with psychic abilities.

As a huge movie and TV buff, I’m really drawn to this show! It’s a coming-of-age story with a dark twist – a murder mystery, but with a supernatural edge. It follows Wednesday Addams as she starts at a new academy, and while she’s dealing with typical high school stuff, she also gets tangled up in solving a really creepy series of killings. Plus, we get to see her develop her psychic powers along the way. The atmosphere is fantastic, and it really pulls you in.

Good news for fans: Stranger Things has already been renewed for a third season, set to arrive in July 2025! While you’re waiting, you can enjoy ‘Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85’!

Stranger Things season 5 will premiere on Netflix on New Year’s Day.

As a total movie and TV buff, I just have to recommend adding Stranger Things to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Seriously, download it now – you get fresh TV recommendations every day, plus all sorts of cool features and articles.

Authors

Nicola AustinFreelance Writer

Nicola Austin is a freelance journalist with a passion for science fiction, fantasy, and animation. She’s written for many publications, including Empire, Digital Spy, and SciFiNow, covering TV and film. And she firmly believes that The Mummy is a classic 90s film.

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2025-12-31 16:10