80s Themed Shows For Those Missing Stranger Things

Now that Stranger Things has concluded its five-season run, fans mourning the loss of supernatural adventure, small-town mystery, and pure 80s nostalgia have options. While nothing perfectly replaces the Duffer Brothers' masterpiece, several excellent cable television and streaming shows capture similar elements—whether it's the retro atmosphere, coming-of-age drama, supernatural elements, or that distinctive 1980s charm that made Stranger Things so captivating.

1. Dark: Time Travel Mystery and 80s Aesthetic

Like "Stranger Things," "Dark" embraces the '80s aesthetics while a fictional town where several teenagers begin investigating the disappearances of children. The German series Dark offers a complex time-traveling narrative that spans multiple decades, with entire seasons set in the 1980s.

Watch Dark on Netflix - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.8/10

Where Dark distinguishes itself is through intricate plotting, mature themes, and time travel mechanics that create mind-bending narratives far more complex than Stranger Things. The second season particularly excels with its 80s setting, providing that nostalgic atmosphere while delivering genuinely sophisticated storytelling. The ensemble cast is strong, and the show's commitment to mystery and atmosphere rivals even Stranger Things' best seasons.

2. The Americans: Intense 1980s Spy Drama

Set in '80s suburban Washington, D.C., The Americans centers on KGB spies, delivering a masterclass in tension and character development set firmly in the 1980s.

Watch The Americans on FX/Hulu - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.7/10

While The Americans lacks supernatural elements, it captures something Stranger Things achieves beautifully: the tension of ordinary people living secret lives in 1980s America. The show explores themes of identity, family, and loyalty while delivering explosive action sequences and deeply emotional moments. For viewers who loved the character development and interpersonal drama of Stranger Things alongside its 80s setting, The Americans is essential viewing.

3. Freaks and Geeks: Coming-of-Age Perfection

This critically acclaimed series captures the awkwardness and angst of high school in the early 1980s, though it ran for only one season before cancellation despite widespread acclaim.

Watch Freaks and Geeks - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.7/10

Freaks and Geeks excels at the coming-of-age elements that make Stranger Things' younger cast so compelling. The show features an ensemble of perfectly cast teenagers navigating social hierarchies, first crushes, and the universal awkwardness of adolescence—all set to an authentic 80s soundtrack and aesthetic. While it lacks supernatural elements, it delivers emotional depth and character development that rivals Stranger Things' best moments.

4. The Carrie Diaries: Fashion and Coming-of-Age

Set in 1984 New York, The Carrie Diaries serves as a prequel to Sex and the City while functioning as a period piece that captures 1980s style and culture brilliantly.

Watch The Carrie Diaries - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 7.1/10

The show appeals to viewers who love Stranger Things' nostalgic charm and character-driven storytelling. It focuses on a young Carrie Bradshaw discovering New York City and herself, offering a distinctly 80s take on coming-of-age narratives. The attention to period detail, from fashion to rotary phones and old area codes, creates an immersive experience that satisfies period-piece enthusiasts.

5. Deadly Class: 1980s High School Horror

Set in the 1980s, Deadly Class follows a homeless teenager who is recruited to an elite private high school where assassins train.

Watch Deadly Class - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 7.5/10

This series combines 80s aesthetics with dark elements and high school intrigue. While it was cancelled after two seasons, it offered compelling characters, excellent style, and that dangerous edge that makes Stranger Things compelling. The show balances humor with genuine tension, creating an entertaining experience for fans seeking darker, more violent storytelling set in the 1980s.

6. GLOW: The Golden Age of Professional Wrestling

Alison Brie stars as budding actress Ruth Wilder, who is struggling to find prominent roles in L.A. during the 80s, joining the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW) promotion.

Watch GLOW on Netflix - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.0/10

GLOW captures 1980s Los Angeles atmosphere through the lens of professional wrestling and female empowerment. While dramatically different from Stranger Things, it offers ensemble cast chemistry, period authenticity, and compelling character development. The show balances comedic and dramatic elements while exploring friendship, ambition, and personal growth against an authentic 80s backdrop.

7. Paper Girls: Sci-Fi Adventure in the 1980s

Like "Stranger Things," "Paper Girls" embraces the '80s aesthetics and warm storytelling style without coming off as cloying or dated. The show is elevated considerably by its earnest young cast, particularly Camryn Jones and Riley Lai Nelet.

Watch Paper Girls on Amazon Prime Video - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

Paper Girls offers 1980s sci-fi adventure featuring a young female protagonist cast. The series embraces time-travelling adventure, conspiracy elements, and coming-of-age narratives that appeal to Stranger Things fans. Though cancelled after one season, it provides exactly the type of nostalgic 80s sci-fi spectacle that makes Stranger Things so compelling.

8. Red Oaks: Comedy-Tinged Coming-of-Age

Red Oaks is a story about that awkward time when one transitions from being a teenager to an adult. David's journey is similar to the ones Stranger Thing's older teens are currently experiencing, albeit with more comedy and less terrifying monsters.

Watch Red Oaks on Amazon Prime Video - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 7.6/10

Red Oaks captures the 1980s setting and coming-of-age themes with greater comedic emphasis than Stranger Things. The show centres on a teenage protagonist discovering romance, friendship, and his place in the world during one memorable summer. For viewers seeking character-driven narratives with lighter tones than Stranger Things but similar nostalgic 80s settings, Red Oaks delivers consistently entertaining storytelling.

9. Cobra Kai: The 1980s Lives On (Sort Of)

Cobra Kai isn't set in the '80s, but its predecessor, The Karate Kid, was. As a result, the '80s nostalgia is almost as strong as in Stranger Things, with numerous references to '80s movies, cars, music, and more.

Watch Cobra Kai on Netflix - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.4/10

While Cobra Kai takes place in the present day, its constant callbacks to The Karate Kid create intense 80s nostalgia alongside character-driven storytelling. The show features compelling ensemble casts, high-stakes drama, and the exploration of how adolescent friendships and rivalries shape adult lives. Its focus on character development and interconnected narratives appeals to Stranger Things fans.

10. Dead Boy Detectives: Supernatural Mystery with 80s Vibes

Dead Boy Detective is set in the present day, but Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), the ghost of a teenage boy who died in 1989, brings in some '80s vibes. With 1980s vibes, teen detectives, and plenty of grisly stories about demons and ghosts, Dead Boy Detectives will appeal to viewers who especially enjoyed the horror elements of Stranger Things season 4.

Watch Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix - IMDB | IMDB Rating: 8.0/10

Dead Boy Detectives offers supernatural elements, young protagonists investigating mysteries, and grisly horror that satisfies viewers seeking Stranger Things' darker moments. The ensemble of teen detectives creates chemistry and camaraderie similar to Stranger Things' young cast, while the supernatural horror elements provide the genre thrills that made Stranger Things' best seasons so compelling.

The Stranger Things Void Doesn't Need Filling Alone

If you’re still painfully nostalgic for 80s vibes and mourning Stranger Things' conclusion or seeking authentic 1980s aesthetics, coming-of-age narratives, supernatural mystery, or ensemble cast dynamics, these shows provide excellent viewing experiences that partially fill the void left by Stranger Things' ending.

The beauty of Stranger Things' influence is visible throughout modern television—countless shows now attempt to capture its magic through period settings, young protagonists, and supernatural elements. While none perfectly replicate Stranger Things' unique appeal, these alternatives collectively offer the nostalgia, character development, and entertaining storytelling that made Stranger Things such a beloved phenomenon.

Start with Dark for complex sci-fi mystery, The Americans for intense character drama, or Freaks and Geeks for pure coming-of-age authenticity. Each offers distinct pleasures while satisfying different aspects of what made Stranger Things special, proving that great television exploring the 1980s, coming-of-age narratives, and supernatural themes extends far beyond the Duffer Brothers' masterpiece.

Tags: TV Shows, TV Series