11 Mind-Blowing Movies Similar to Stranger Things

The Passage: When a botched U.S. government experiment turns death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis. Although not as critically acclaimed as Stranger Things, The Passage shares similarities with its predecessor. Both series revolve around government conspiracy and feature young protagonists facing supernatural threats. However, The Passage takes a darker turn, introducing vampires and a dystopian setting. While Stranger Things captures the nostalgic essence of the 1980s, The Passage offers a more intense and gripping storyline. So, if you're looking for a thrilling and captivating series with a touch of horror, The Passage is definitely worth a watch.

Frenchman's Farm takes you on a time-traveling adventure, just like Stranger Things transports you to the 1980s. While Stranger Things captivates you with supernatural forces and a heartwarming story of friendship, Frenchman's Farm immerses you in a murder mystery set in 1944. Both movies share the genres of Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, and Thriller, but Frenchman's Farm adds Adventure and Crime to the mix. The Australian countryside serves as a backdrop in Frenchman's Farm, while Stranger Things takes place in a small town in the US. The characters in both movies are relatable, making it easy to root for them. Although Stranger Things is a series with a runtime of 51 minutes per episode, Frenchman's Farm is a cinema movie that takes you on a longer journey of 100 minutes.

The Circle is a Swedish young-adult urban-fantasy-drama movie that revolves around six teenage girls who are chosen to save the world from an otherworldly evil. Reminiscent of Stranger Things, The Circle brings together a group of unlikely heroes who must overcome their differences and join forces to combat a supernatural threat. While Stranger Things takes place in 1980s America and focuses on government conspiracy and telekinesis, The Circle is set in a small town in Sweden and explores themes of magic and witchcraft. Both movies feature well-drawn characters and a touch of mystery, but The Circle offers a more refreshing and down-to-earth take on the genre. It may not have the grand production and flashy visuals of Hollywood films, but its slow and ordinary presentation allows for a more relatable and intimate story. Though lesser-known and with a longer runtime, The Circle is a hidden gem that offers a different perspective on the supernatural genre and is definitely worth a watch.

The Promised Neverland, also known as Yakusoku no Neverland, is a movie that shares some similarities with Stranger Things. Both stories center around a group of resourceful kids who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. While Stranger Things takes place in the 1980s and involves supernatural forces, The Promised Neverland is set in a seemingly perfect orphanage with a dark secret. The children in both movies form deep friendships and rely on their intelligence and bravery to overcome the challenges they face.
However, there are some notable differences between the two films. First, Stranger Things is a series, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of its characters and plot. On the other hand, The Promised Neverland is a live-action movie, which means that it had to compress a lot of content into its two-hour runtime. As a result, some important details from the original manga and anime had to be changed or ignored.

Chen Qing Ling Zhi Sheng Hun: There are rumors of a "Lighting Murder Case" in Fufeng. Wen Ning starts his investigation when he arrives in Fufeng and finds a man and his sister were murdered. At night, a fight breaks out between a mysterious black shadow and Wen Ning. His old acquaintance Lan Sizhui suddenly appears when the shadow escapes. Through joint efforts of Wen Ning and Lan Sizhui, the two finally solve the mystery and seize the criminal. This movie might remind you of Stranger Things. While Stranger Things is set in the 1980s and focuses on supernatural forces, Chen Qing Ling Zhi Sheng Hun is set in a different time and culture, exploring friendship and black magic. Both movies share the themes of friendship and mystery, but Chen Qing Ling Zhi Sheng Hun adds elements of wuxia, xianxia, and zombies to its intriguing plot.

Harlequin is an intriguing supernatural thriller that transports you back in time to the 1980s. While it may not have the same level of blood and violence as Stranger Things, it creates a tense and eerie atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The enigmatic faith healer in Harlequin possesses magical powers that will remind you of the supernatural forces in Stranger Things. The film also explores themes of government conspiracy and the influence of powerful individuals, much like the series. However, Harlequin takes a different approach by focusing on a political fixer and a senator's family. The relationship between the little boy and the main character in Harlequin is reminiscent of the connection between the young boy and his mother in Stranger Things. Both films also feature well-drawn characters that you can easily root for.

Corpse Princess: Kuro is a delightful anime series that will transport you to a world where revenge, death, and friendship intertwine. Reminiscent of Stranger Things, this show captures the essence of its era, just like Stranger Things does with the 1980s. While both series explore the theme of friendship, Corpse Princess: Kuro takes a darker and more supernatural approach. The animation in Corpse Princess: Kuro is excellent for its time, and the first season's story has surprising depth, addressing the concept of fighting monsters and becoming one. However, be prepared for some inconsistencies in the animation and a "monster of the week" phase in the second season. Despite these minor flaws, Corpse Princess: Kuro is a must-watch for anime fans craving a blend of action, drama, fantasy, and horror.

House of VHS is reminiscent of Stranger Things in its shared 1980s setting and supernatural themes. However, while Stranger Things thrives on well-drawn characters and a captivating mystery, House of VHS falls short with inane dialogue and unconvincing characters. The film's plot is thin and contrived, leaving viewers questioning its purpose. Despite its attempts to create suspense, House of VHS fails to maintain a tense atmosphere. On the other hand, Stranger Things successfully balances the eerie and the relatable, making it enjoyable for both preteens and adults. While House of VHS may appeal to fans of psychotronic films and supernatural powers, its lackluster execution makes it difficult to recommend to anyone seeking a satisfying cinematic experience.

Eerie, Indiana takes you on a teenage weirdness investigation through a small-town, much like Stranger Things. Both series capture the supernatural power and mystery of their respective stories. While Stranger Things is set in the 1980s, Eerie, Indiana has that nostalgic 90s feel. The characters in both shows are relatable and well-drawn, making it easy to root for them. However, Eerie, Indiana stands out with its unique blend of adventure, comedy, drama, and teen comedy. It's a cult classic that deserves more recognition, and if you're a fan of Stranger Things, you'll love the references, kooky music, and clever plotlines that Eerie, Indiana has to offer. So, whether you want to step back into the 80s or explore the mysteries of a small town in the 90s, both Stranger Things and Eerie, Indiana will leave you wanting more.

Masters of Science Fiction is reminiscent of Stranger Things, but with a twist. While Stranger Things takes us back to the 1980s with a thrilling mix of government conspiracy, friendship, and telekinesis, Masters of Science Fiction brings us captivating science fiction stories from well-known authors. Both series have elements of drama, fantasy, horror, mystery, sci-fi, and thriller, but while Stranger Things focuses on a group of relatable characters and supernatural forces, Masters of Science Fiction introduces us to sixty-minute episodes of science fiction stories, introduced by none other than renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. Although Masters of Science Fiction didn't last as long as Stranger Things, it showcases the talent of its writers, directors, and cast, while delivering a distinct message. So if you've enjoyed the nostalgia and mystery of Stranger Things, Masters of Science Fiction will take you on a different journey into the realm of science fiction, where the possibilities are endless.

Alien Inhabitant: Mark struggles with drug addiction following the war. An Alien, that only Mark can see, manipulates his will and forces him to commit acts that he cannot recall.
"Alien Inhabitant" takes a different approach compared to "Stranger Things," but the two share some common elements. Both movies fall within the sci-fi and thriller genres, exploring supernatural forces that affect the main characters. While "Stranger Things" focuses on a group of friends in the 1980s dealing with a government conspiracy and supernatural occurrences, "Alien Inhabitant" delves into the struggles of Mark, a war veteran battling drug addiction and manipulated by an alien presence. Although the tone and settings differ, both films explore the theme of otherworldly forces interfering with human lives.