AceShowbiz - As the final season of Stranger Things approaches, there's never been a better time to look back on the shows that tried to replace it. The arrival of Stranger Things season 5 will be a historic moment for Netflix, marking the end of an era for the small town sci-fi mystery that debuted in 2016. However, the Stranger Things universe is far from over, with Stranger Things: Tales from '85 set to arrive in 2026, a spinoff that already looks and sounds like a continuation of the original series.

The Stranger Things franchise has been a cultural phenomenon, and it's no surprise that Netflix and its competitors have spent years trying to replicate its popularity. From YA horror-comedies to anime adaptations, there are many shows that have aimed to be the next Stranger Things since 2016. One such show is Dark, a German series that premiered in 2017 and was often compared to Stranger Things in Netflix's marketing. Despite the comparisons, Dark carved out its own unique identity with its trippy, unsettling time travel story.

Other shows that have tried to fill the Stranger Things void include Wednesday, a supernatural drama that premiered in 2022, and The Haunting of Hill House, a horror series that explores the aftermath of a family's experiences in a haunted house. While these shows may not have achieved the same level of success as Stranger Things, they have all contributed to the growing demand for sci-fi and horror content on streaming platforms.

As the Stranger Things franchise continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these other shows fare in the market. Will they be able to capitalize on the popularity of Stranger Things, or will they forge their own paths and create new fan bases? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the Stranger Things universe is far from over, and fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming years.