Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin, Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, and Noah Schnapp as Will are hands in on 'Stranger Things' Season 5.Image via Netflix
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Jiminna Shillingford is an avid reader and a passionate storyteller. She is obsessed with all things TV, from anime and romantic fantasy to action-packed series. With that deep affection, Jiminna longs to share her excitement with all her readers through the Collider platform as a TV author. Through her writing she has created stories and blog posts of amazing book recommendations, showcasing her love of writing. Jiminna's goal is to inspire others to discover and embrace their love of stories in all of its forms.
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Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
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Ever since the captivating premiere of Stranger Things back in 2016, the sci-fi epic has truly dominated the genre. Its blend of creature-feature horror, '80s charm, and small-town mystery was an almost instant hit among science fiction fanatics, but as time passed, the expansion of the sci-fi landscape has produced multiple hits that now claim the top spot. Even those forgotten science fiction gems that came before the epic Netflix series prove that some of the genre’s finest achievements honestly existed long before the town of Hawkins was ever in the picture.
Shows like The Mandalorian, which stands as a cinematic galaxy-spanning adventure, and the short-lived, underrated Netflix gem, I Am Not Okay With This, are just two in the expansive sci-fi genre that happens to outshine Stranger Things. Compiled on this list are the sci-fi shows that came before and after the Netflix icon, and surpass it with their creativity, ambitious storytelling, and far more depth.
1 'From' (2022–)
The Man in the Yellow Suit (Douglas E. Hughes) smiles in From Season 3.Image via MGM+
From is a psychological sci-fi horror series that follows a nightmarish American town that traps all who enter, while keeping them clueless about how and why they're all there with no escape. To add flames to that horrific fire, the town’s residents must survive each night, dodging a slew of nocturnal man-eating creatures.
From isn't much of a sci-fi teen series like Stranger Things—in fact, the haunting thrill ride should definitely only be indulged in by viewers of adult age. Despite that, the show is a sci-fi horror mystery that equals—or truly exceeds—its more famous counterpart. From may not wield the same viewership, Stranger Things does just yet, but the show's unfolding mythology far outclasses Stranger Things, as viewers are treated to its mystery-box storytelling that hosts an incredibly rich lore. With tight pacing, quality creature design, and a truly brilliant sci-fi plot, From genuinely outshines Stranger Things in nearly every aspect.
2 'Dark' (2017–2020)
Louis Hofmann and Lisa Vicari standing very close face to face outdoors in an episode of Dark.Image via Netflix
This favored German sci-fi mystery series is often hailed as a masterful work of sci-fi art that easily outshines most in the genre—Stranger Things included. Dark, a Netflix original, begins with a missing child and many frantic individuals in search of answers, which inevitably lead to the reveal of a mind-bending mystery that spans three generations. The story mainly focuses on teen Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann) and his family as they begin to investigate multiple unexplained disappearances.
When it comes to sci-fi and mystery, there aren't many shows that can outclass Dark, as the series delivers a story so intricately written that most seem simple in comparison. While Stranger Things stands confidently on its own as a fun sci-fi mystery, Dark stands as something much more transcendent—elevating sci-fi to a level the former has yet to reach. With unmatched storytelling ambition, Dark feels less like a show and more like a genre-defining triumph that ended far too soon, while still also surpassing iconic gems like Stranger Things.
3 'The Mandalorian' (2019–)
The Mandalorian and Grogu together in 'The Mandalorian'Image via Disney+
The Mandalorian is a Disney+ hit that elevates the normal sci-fi space adventure to a level that far outclasses Stranger Things in both world-building and spectacle. The standing cultural phenomenon is set in the iconic Star Wars universe, and centers around the lone bounty hunter Din Djarin, the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal), who becomes the protector of “The Child” Grogu.
The Mandalorian is a sci-fi treat in both scope and adventure as it delivers a cinematic experience that is incredibly more impactful than Stranger Things. The Netflix sci-fi hit, Stranger Things, may be beloved for its small-town charm, nostalgia, and epic sci-fi elements, but The Mandalorian operates on a much grander scale as it offers a mix of heart, action, and overall masterful storytelling. The Mandalorian delivers a universe so compelling that it truly makes the charming small-town adventures seen within Stranger Things feel quite miniature in comparison.
4 'The 100' (2014–2020)
Clarke Griffin looks forward while Bellamy Blake and Echo stand behind her in the CW series, The 100.Image via The CW
This CW classic captivated many during its time on air. The 100 is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama, set 97 years after a nuclear apocalypse forces the remnants of humanity to live in a space station known as the Ark. The series focuses on 100 juvenile prisoners who are riskily sent down to the once-inhabitable Earth.
Before there were hot streaming hits, there were shows like The 100, which stood as one of the very best teen action pinnacles of television. The series, like Stranger Things, has quite a few mature themes as it explores power struggles, ethical dilemmas, and humanity, making it just as appealing to adults as it is to teens. The gritty series, now concluded with seven addictive seasons, is a fantastically relentless watch as it dishes out much more drama and harsh realism than seen in Stranger Things. The Netflix sci-fi hit may have captured its fair share of viewers, but The 100 is a CW classic that’s perfect for viewers seeking an angsty, dystopian drama.
5 'Rick and Morty' (2013–)
Rick holding Morty's eyes open in the show Rick and Morty.Image via Adult Swim
Rick and Morty remains one of the most imaginative sci-fi shows to ever exist. The animated series follows the fun-filled and often dangerous misadventures of the cynical genius scientist Rick Sanchez (Justin Roiland and Ian Cardoni) and his good-hearted but terribly anxious grandson, Morty (Roiland and Harry Belden).
Rick and Morty is well known for its complex sci-fi concepts, wild humor, and surprisingly great amount of emotional moments. It's pure and chaotic innovation far surpasses Stranger Things in the way that it feels far more intellectually stimulating than most dramas in the genre. With its animated format, its limits are fantastically boundless, leaving viewers with a sci-fi experience that defies convention and outshines many other quality sci-fi watches. From its popularity to its thought-provoking science fiction concepts, Rick and Morty is often considered the superior series to Stranger Things in both ambition and originality.
6 'The Umbrella Academy' (2019–2024)
Aidan Gallagher as Five with a jar of Marigold in his hand in The Umbrella Academy Season 4.Image via Netflix
This quirky Netflix superhero-sci-fi hybrid became an almost instant favorite due to its eccentric, time-bending family drama. The Umbrella Academy centers on estranged siblings who, due to their quite mysterious births, inherit incredible abilities. When the siblings, who are now all dysfunctional adults, reunite after their father's death, they're quick to realize something is amiss—setting off a chain of events involving time-travel, secrets, and an impending apocalypse.
From shocking family secrets to epic power reveals, The Umbrella Academy may have come after Stranger Things, but the series did extremely well, holding its own as a newbie against its teen-filled counterpart. While there is some debate about the show’s last two seasons, no one can deny the unbelievable fun ride that The Umbrella Academy delivers. With a strong mix of dark humor, time-travel plots, and, of course, dysfunctional-family drama, quite a few viewers have dubbed The Umbrella Academy's off-beat style far more appealing than Stranger Things', securing it a place on this list of epic sci-fi shows.
7 'I Am Not Okay With This' (2020)
Sophia Lillis sits with head resting in hands and staring ahead with angst in I Am Not Okay with This.Image via Netflix
I Am Not Okay With This may have only had one single season, but the high-potential series definitely stands as a sci-fi epic that could have gone far. The short-lived Netflix show is a dramedy based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel and follows the withdrawn and grieving teen, Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis), as she struggles to navigate life as a teen girl, while also manifesting destructive telekinetic powers triggered by any intense emotion.
Although I Am Not Okay With This was abruptly cancelled due to the pandemic, the show gained its own fandom that adored its pacing, tone, and visual storytelling. Unlike Stranger Things' more nostalgic story, I Am Not Okay With This offers a far more realistic take on teenhood. The show's depth is truly astonishing as it creatively uses its protagonist's superpowers as a lens for emotional repression, marking it as a much more relatable sci-fi series than Stranger Things ever was.
8 'Doctor Who' (1963–)
This legendary long-running sci-fi series has shaped the genre for decades, delivering a level of imagination that outshines even something as great as Stranger Things. Doctor Who is a landmark British sci-fi series that focuses on the time-traveling adventures of an alien known as the Doctor, currently played by Ncuti Gatwa.
Few shows can attest to the legacy that the iconic Doctor Who has. Even as one of the longest running sci-fi epics ever created, the series remains an innovative watch, as it refreshes its entire being with a new Doctor each season. While most sci-fi fans long for Stranger Things' inevitable conclusion, Doctor Who lovers wish the series a truly eternal life. The sheer scale and cultural impact of the beloved show far exceed Stranger Things' reach. With a constantly regenerating protagonist and time-traveling adventures, Doctor Who stands as the sci-fi classic that’ll truly live on forever, securing its place among the other science fiction hits on this list.
9 'Sense8' (2015–2018)
The cast of Sense 8 huddle around Bae Doona on a rooftop balcony.Image via Netflix
This emotionally charged adult sci-fi series is one that took to the skies with its amazingly bold storytelling. Sense8 follows eight diverse strangers from around the world, known as senates, who discover that they are somehow emotionally and mentally linked to one another. With new abilities come new dangers, and a group of strangers must come together to defeat their adversaries.
While admittedly, Sense8 is for the older crowd, its epic sci-fi quality is truly imaginative and masterfully original. The series wields far more story and character depth than its teeny counterpart, as it weaves stories across multiple continents, skillfully blending global culture and science fiction. Viewers have consistently lauded the Wachowskis' masterpiece for its creativity and heart—qualities that brilliantly outmatch Stranger Things by miles. With richer storytelling, quality emotional depth, and a much more daring sci-fi concept, Sense8 definitely surpasses a masterful series such as Stranger Things.
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Release Date
2015 - 2018-00-00
Showrunner
Lilly Wachowski
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Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
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Lilly Wachowski
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