<em>Stranger Things</em> may finally be over, but it won’t have a true successor for the foreseeable future. Starting in 2016, the supernatural mystery series took the world by storm, quickly becoming an inescapable title with endless cultural capital. After a single season, Stranger Things was even being celebrated as the best sci-fi series on Netflix— but that popularity only grew.
The lovable ensemble cast turned Hawkins, Indiana into one of the most iconic settings of the decade, and fan wars raged on over the possible relationships between Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Will (Noah Schnapp), and more. While the Stranger Things series finale marks the end of an era, however, finding the show’s true successor won’t be easy.
Key Takeaways
- Legacy of Stranger Things: The show set a high standard for supernatural dramas.
- Cultural Impact: It became a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated fanbase.
- Successors: Finding a worthy successor to this iconic series is challenging.
- Ensemble Cast: The characters contributed significantly to its popularity.
I Am Not Okay With This
A Troubled Teen Grapples With Heartbreak & Mysterious Powers
Based on Charles Forsman’s graphic novel of the same name, I Am Not Okay with This follows Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis), a young teen who is stuck in perpetual grief following her father’s sudden death. After her best friend Dina (Sofia Bryant) drifts away and social outcast Stanley (Wyatt Oleff) imprints on her like a duckling, Syd becomes disillusioned with life.
Everything changes, however, when the young girl taps into her latent telekinetic powers (and, at the same time, her romantic feelings for Dina). The queer coming-of-age thriller was an instant favorite for countless viewers, but COVID-19 led to the unceremonious cancelation of I Am Not Okay with This— a wound that still hasn’t healed for many fans.
School Spirits
A Promising Student Finds Herself In A Club Of Ghosts
Stranger Things began with an ensemble of fresh faces (with the notable exception of Winona Ryder), but the cast of School Spirits is full of familiar names like Peyton List (Maddie) and Milo Manheim (Wally). Despite the established names attached to the project, however, School Spirits is irrefutably a hidden gem, even after three complete seasons have aired on Paramount+.
The supernatural mystery of School Spirits focused more on ghosts and the afterlife in general rather than Stranger Things‘ fantastical creatures. Furthermore, while the eponymous spirits of Split River High School are each emblematic of a distinct time period, the drama lacked a cohesive aesthetic, which proved to be one of the most pivotal aspects of Stranger Things‘ lasting success.
Silverpoint
One Boy Seeks Justice For A Group Of Missing Children
Stranger Things had a truly innovative premise when it first started, but many of its most memorable characteristics became common sources of inspiration for other series, including Silverpoint. The British teen drama followed a group of plucky young adults investigating a missing children case, which unsurprisingly leads them to a supernatural portal not unlike that of Stranger Things‘ upside down.
Yet, there remained a clear distinction in the tone of the two shows. Stranger Things focused on young heroes, but it included mature language, disturbing themes, and gruesome death scenes. Silverpoint is far more kid-friendly in comparison, making it a PG twist on Stranger Things for those who know it and yet another forgotten fantasy show for those who don’t.
Goosebumps
A Modern Twist On A Familiar Favorite
