Cover Explore a mix of spooky, mysterious and heartwarming shows and movies to tide you over until the ‘Stranger Things 5’ finale (Photo: Netflix)
Explore a mix of spooky, mysterious and heartwarming shows and movies to tide you over until the ‘Stranger Things 5’ finale (Photo: Netflix)
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Fill the gap before ‘Stranger Things 5’ ends with these eerie yet entertaining TV shows
A long wait between episodes can make the world of Hawkins feel very far away. The anticipation around Stranger Things 5 has revived interest in stories that blend the uncanny with a sense of warmth, where strange events unfold in ordinary places and young characters navigate unsettling moments with a steady mix of curiosity and resolve. While nothing fully mirrors the dynamic of Stranger Things 5, there are series that strike a similar balance of mood and momentum without leaning too far into darkness. These choices offer small-town mysteries, youthful camaraderie and supernatural puzzles that sit comfortably in the middle ground between eerie and approachable. They also give viewers space to settle into a world that feels familiar enough to revisit while waiting for the final chapter of Stranger Things 5 to land.
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When does the ‘Stranger Things 5’ finale stream on Netflix?
Netflix has confirmed a staggered rollout for the final season. Volume 1, four episodes, was released on November 26, and Volume 2, which is three episodes, will follow on December 25, 2025. The series finale arrives as Volume 3 on December 31, 2025. This schedule marks the close of the long-running story, with updates continuing through official Netflix channels as each release approaches. With the final episode still weeks away, the titles below offer a way to settle into something atmospheric without stepping too far from the terrain that Stranger Things 5 fans know well.
1. ‘Paper Girls’ (2022)
Above In ‘Paper Girls’, four newspaper delivery girls stumble into a time-travel mystery that tests friendship and courage
Based on the graphic novels by Brian K Vaughan, Paper Girls follows four girls whose routine newspaper route is interrupted by a sudden conflict between rival time-travel factions. The story moves across multiple eras, placing the characters face to face with future versions of themselves and technology that sits just outside their understanding. The shifts in timeline highlight how the group adapts to unfamiliar settings while trying to return home. The narrative keeps its attention on their dynamic and the strangeness of growing up, which helps steady the tone even as the plot expands into broader science fiction.
2. ‘Locke & Key’ (2020–2022)
Above In ‘Locke & Key’, siblings uncover magical keys in their family home, unlocking secrets, powers and hidden dangers
Adapted from the comics by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, Locke & Key follows the Locke siblings as they settle into their ancestral home after a family tragedy. The house contains a collection of supernatural keys, each with a specific ability that alters perception, space or physical form. As the siblings test the limits of these powers, they uncover ties between the keys and earlier generations, along with the presence of forces seeking to control them. The plot moves between quiet domestic moments and broader mythological threads, using the keys to explore memory, inheritance and the weight of unresolved history. Stranger Things fans may be drawn to its mix of family dynamics, mysterious artefacts and a young cast navigating threats that sit just beyond the edge of the everyday.
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3. ‘The Midnight Club’ (2022)
Above Teens in a hospice share chilling stories that blur the line between imagination and reality in ‘The Midnight Club’
Created by Mike Flanagan and based on Christopher Pike’s novel, The Midnight Club is set in a hospice for teenagers who meet after lights out to share stories that shift between genres and personal fears. The narrative moves between their real circumstances and the tales they construct, allowing the show to explore grief, imagination and the need for connection. Supernatural elements appear in measured intervals, often tied to questions of belief and the possibility of what exists beyond the familiar. The structure builds its tension through mood rather than spectacle. Stranger Things fans would appreciate the focus on a tight-knit group, the presence of unexplained phenomena and the way the characters form their own rules within a confined setting.
4. ‘Deadboy Detectives’ (2024)
Above In ‘Deadboy Detectives’, two teenage ghosts solve supernatural cases, navigating the afterlife with humour and heart
Drawn from characters introduced in the Sandman universe, Deadboy Detectives follows two teenage ghosts who choose to remain on Earth rather than move on, using their time to investigate unexplained incidents that range from mild disturbances to layered supernatural puzzles. Their cases take them through shifting environments populated by witches, demons and other entities connected to the broader Sandman mythology, although the show keeps its perspective grounded in the pair's partnership and resourcefulness. The pace stays light, with each investigation revealing more about how they navigate the afterlife and the limits of their abilities. Stranger Things fans may respond to its mix of paranormal threat, youthful camaraderie and a world where strange occurrences sit just beneath ordinary settings.
5. ‘Lockwood & Co’ (2023)
Above A trio of young ghost hunters take on London’s spectral threats with skill and teamwork in ‘Lockwood & Co’
Inspired by Jonathan Stroud’s books, Lockwood & Co follows a trio of young ghost hunters working for a small London agency tasked with investigating and eliminating spectral threats. The city is depicted as a place where hauntings are common, and psychic ability determines social and professional hierarchies. Each mission combines suspense, strategy and occasional humour, highlighting the trio’s resourcefulness and growing trust in one another. The series balances moments of genuine tension with character-driven interactions, making the supernatural elements feel immediate yet manageable.
6. ‘Wayward’ (2025)
Above Children and adults alike confront strange rules and hidden secrets in ‘Wayward’
Released on Netflix in September 2025, Wayward is a limited‑series thriller created by Mae Martin. It centres on the rural town of Tall Pines, home to a “troubled‑teens” academy that holds an air of mystery. The series follows several young characters and a newly arrived police officer as they navigate the town’s strange rules and hidden tensions. Children in Tall Pines deal with fear, trust and resilience in an environment that is both familiar and unsettling. Wayward delivers a sense of creeping dread in an everyday world, combining psychological unease with character-driven stakes. Its suspense is built through gradual revelations rather than overt spectacle, making it a fitting watch for anyone waiting for Stranger Things 5.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
