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There are many genres that have given us shows worthy of being counted among the greatest of all time, but one of the most prolific has historically been science fiction. Netflix, in particular, has produced some of the best sci-fi shows in recent memory, Stranger Things being far and away one of their best. Disappointing final season notwithstanding, it’s a wonderful piece of sci-fi horror and coming-of-age drama infused with color, Dungeons & Dragons influences, and ’80s pop culture nostalgia.
It’s such an incredible series, in fact, that it overshadows several other exceptional sci-fi shows that are remarkably similar. Whether those similarities are in terms of tone, narrative, atmosphere, setting, or otherwise, the fact of the matter is that even though these incredible sci-fi shows can be argued to be among the genre’s best, they don’t quite reach the level of Stranger Things. From Prime Video shows like Tales from the Loop to other Netflix gems like The OA, all of these shows are essential viewing for anyone who loves Stranger Things.
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‘Tales from the Loop’ (2020)
There isn’t exactly an abundance of TV shows based on art books, which is only one of the reasons why Prime Video’s Tales from the Loop, based on Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag‘s art book of the same name, is so special. IT’s one of the best sci-fi shows with eight episodes or fewer, a wonderfully imaginative and beautifully slow-burning anthology series unlike anything else the genre has seen over the course of the 2020s.
Like Stranger Things, Tales from the Loop is a retrofuturistic gem set in a quiet town infused with ’80s aesthetics. And while it isn’t as mysterious, action-packed, or elevated by sky-high stakes, it’s still one of the best sci-fi series of the streaming era. Mind-bending and deeply emotional, it’s definitely not a show that will appeal to those who prefer faster-paced sci-fi, but for people who love the genre when it’s at its most meditative, it should do the trick just fine.
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‘Haven’ (2010–2015)
Loosely based on the Stephen King novel The Colorado Kid, the Canadian-American co-production Haven is one of the most underrated sci-fi shows of the 2010s. Though critics didn’t exactly rave about it at any point during its run, it has aged wonderfully as one of the best and most underappreciated television adaptations of a Stephen King book.
It’s a show similar to Stranger Things (a show that at many times displayed clear Stephen King inspirations) in that both heavily rely on the supernatural town trope. And even though Netflix’s higher budgets and the tighter serialized storytelling serve that trope better than Haven‘s monster-of-the-week format, this is still an exceptional series full of atmospheric charm.
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‘Archive 81’ (2022)
Executive-produced by James Wan of Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring fame, Archive 81 is a supernatural horror sci-fi show of precisely the level of quality you’d expect with someone like Wan attached to the project. Based on the podcast of the same name, it’s a riveting blend of sci-fi, horror, and noir elements that delivers a wonderfully immersive and atmospheric Lovecraftian experience, perfect for those who love Stranger Things at its scariest.
It’s one of those perfect Netflix miniseries nobody remembers, a genre-bending wonder without equal—at least in Netflix’s library. Like Stranger Things, it focuses on a government conspiracy to manipulate parallel dimensions. And though it’s far more niche and slow-burning than Stranger Things, those who want a darker and more mature experience while still getting the same kind of satisfying narrative tropes should find that Archive 81 scratches that itch more than well enough.
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‘The Boys’ (2019–2026)
There is some level of debate within the sci-fi fandom regarding whether superhero stories count as science fiction—but in the case of The Boys, it’s practically undeniable. The sci-fi elements are all there, and they’re all in service of a biting satire poking fun at contemporary American politics, celebrity culture, and the superhero genre as a whole. Like Stranger Things, it had a final season that was nothing if not disappointing. But also like Stranger Things, its underwhelming conclusion doesn’t detract from the tremendous quality of all that came before.
The Boys remained the funniest, goriest, most subversive antidote to the overstuffed Marvel Cinematic Universe throughout its entire run. It also remained one of the biggest genre-bending streaming hits alongside Stranger Things, and though it never managed to offer the same kind of universal appeal that Netflix’s biggest hit did, it satisfies an entirely different kind of niche which Stranger Things doesn’t even try to appeal to.
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‘Paper Girls’ (2022)
Based on the mystery sci-fi comic book series created by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, Paper Girls was widely positioned by critics and the media as Prime Video’s direct response to Netflix’s Stranger Things. It wasn’t even nearly as successful in terms of viewership, which was the primary reason for its untimely cancelation, but looking back at it now, one can only wonder what could have been if more people had given this hidden gem a chance.
Both Paper Girls and Stranger Things are about a tight-knit group of coming-of-age friends in the ’80s who stumble upon a series of supernatural events. Those who prefer a more nostalgic ’80s setting, more cinematic production values, and deeper lore are bound to prefer Stranger Things. However, there’s a strong argument to be made that Paper Girls offers a more nuanced look at the complexities of coming of age in the ’80s, relying more on narrative complexity than just nostalgia.
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‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)
Based on the comic book series of the same name written by My Chemical Romance lead vocalist Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy is yet another exceptional sci-fi show in Netflix’s expansive catalog. For those who enjoy shows about dysfunctional families, this one’s a must-see. For those who love time travel stories, Umbrella Academy should prove to be a delight. And for those who tend to like both, this show should be right up their alley.
Alas, much like Stranger Things, Umbrella Academy is one of those TV shows that went to hell in its final season, but other qualities they share are an excellent ensemble, catchy tunes, and exquisitely fun retro aesthetics. Though Stranger Things generally has a more cohesive tone and more consistent writing throughout, The Umbrella Academy is great for those who love more mature and grown-up sci-fi stories. It may not quite stick the landing, but at least the journey toward that destination is mostly irresistibly enjoyable.
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‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–2025)
Based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso, Alice in Borderland is one of the greatest Japanese shows in Netflix’s catalog. Clearly inspired by survival films like Battle Royale, Alice in Borderland is a high-stakes death game imbued with a masterful atmosphere of existential dread. For its excellent visuals, its intelligent use of highly graphic violence, and its addictively fast pace, critics couldn’t sing its praises enough over the course of its run.
Those who love the lore of Stranger Things and the dystopian, survival genre elements of the crew’s adventures in the Upside Down are quite likely to find tons to enjoy in Alice in Borderland as well. Though Stranger Things has significantly more character depth and a more universally appealing ’80s aesthetic, this Japanese masterpiece was made for those who enjoy more psychologically intense, graphically violent, and fast-paced Netflix sci-fi shows.
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‘The OA’ (2016–2019)
One of the most criminally underrated Netflix shows of all time, as well as one of those canceled Netflix shows that had tons of potential, The OA is nevertheless a show that’s still very much worth watching even seven years after its cancellation. Though it ended on a massive cliffhanger, the journey there is one of the most rewarding sci-fi experiences that Netflix has had to offer thus far, a grounded supernatural mystery with all manner of profound philosophical themes.
The story of an enigmatic young woman with mysterious abilities, featuring villainous scientists and alternate dimensions. This is a description that fits both Stranger Things and The OA, making both essential viewing for fans of each. Stranger Things is considerably more thrilling and carries far broader mainstream appeal, compared to the more avant-garde methods that The OA employs to go about telling its story. Both shows have value, however, and though The OA tends to be overshadowed by Stranger Things, both can be counted among Netflix’s very best.
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Diego Pineda Pacheco
Almontather Rassoul
