There’s something special about Stranger Things and its mix of horror, heart, and supernatural spectacle wrapped around an emotional coming-of-age story; however, there’s another show on Netflix that hits the same notes. Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has given horror TV a mainstream appeal, blending '80s nostalgia with rich worldbuilding and lovable misfit characters. However, with the series inching toward its final season, fans are on the hunt for their next obsession. Luckily, Netflix already has the perfect hidden gem - one that balances eerie mythos, twisted villains, and high-stakes adventures in a way that feels both fresh and comfortingly familiar.

This Stranger Things-like Netflix show has haunted houses, parallel worlds, a close-knit group of teens, and a dark mystery that spans generations. It also delivers emotional depth, clever mythology, and some seriously inventive fantasy elements that rival anything seen in the Upside Down. Strangely, this show never quite broke through the way Stranger Things did. It quietly wrapped its run in 2022 with little fanfare, despite being one of Netflix’s most creative and engaging original series. That show is Locke & Key, and Stranger Things fans who aren’t watching it yet are missing out on one of the streamer’s most underrated fantasy treasures.

Locke & Key Is The Best Show On Netflix For Stranger Things Fans

A Fantasy Horror Series Full Of Spooky Thrills And Emotional Heart

At its core, Locke & Key is a dark fantasy drama centered on the Locke family, who move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, after a tragedy. The three Locke children - Tyler (Connor Jessup), Kinsey (Emilia Jones), and Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) - soon discover magical keys hidden throughout the house, each with its own bizarre power. From unlocking doors to other dimensions to controlling shadows and even people’s memories, these keys become the center of an unfolding supernatural war. Meanwhile, a demon named Dodge (Laysla De Oliveira) is hellbent on stealing them for her own nefarious plans.

Both shows use personal trauma as a gateway to greater supernatural events, making their emotional arcs all the more powerful.

What makes Locke & Key a must-watch Netflix show like Stranger Things isn’t just the fantasy elements, it’s the overall tone. Both series thrive on blending horror and wonder while never losing sight of character-driven storytelling. The sprawling, small-town setting of Matheson, Massachusetts, even mirrors Hawkins in more ways than one. Each is full of dark secrets, nosy neighbors, and ancient forces lurking just beyond reality. Just like Stranger Things, Locke & Key never underestimates its younger characters, letting them carry the story’s emotional and thematic weight.

There’s also the shared DNA of grief and resilience. Stranger Things begins with the loss of Will, while Locke & Key starts after the murder of the Locke family’s father. Both shows use personal trauma as a gateway to greater supernatural events, making their emotional arcs all the more powerful. For viewers who love the way Stranger Things builds tension through mystery, magical objects, and slow-burning dread, Locke & Key will scratch the same itch.

Locke & Key's Young Characters And Mystery Will Feel Familiar To Stranger Things Fans

A Core Cast And Puzzle-Box Story That Feel Tailor-Made For Stranger Things Fans

Scott Dun and Tyler running away from demons in Locke and Key

One of the biggest reasons the horror-fantasy Locke & Key is one of the best Netflix show's like Stranger Things is its central cast of young characters who feel instantly relatable and deeply watchable. Tyler, the oldest, grapples with guilt and the pressure to be a leader after the loss of his father. Kinsey struggles with anxiety and fear, which she literally removes using one of the keys. And Bode, the youngest, is a curious and brave adventurer whose discovery of the keys kickstarts the entire mystery. Together, they feel like a spiritual sibling group to Stranger Things’ Mike, Eleven, and Will.

Much like Stranger Things, Locke & Key doesn't treat its young cast as just sidekicks or victims - they’re front and center in every major conflict. Whether it's decoding ancient secrets, fighting off demonic enemies, or just navigating the trauma of growing up, the Locke kids lead the charge. As the show progresses across its three seasons, more characters get involved. These include their mother Nina (Darby Stanchfield), Uncle Duncan (Aaron Ashmore), and even other students at Matheson Academy, giving the show a robust ensemble that’s as charming as it is complex.

The mystery at the heart of Locke & Key is also a major draw. Just like Stranger Things slowly peeled back the layers of the Upside Down, Locke & Key expands its Lovecraft-like mythos with every episode. Each season builds on the last with clever twists and world-expanding answers that keep fans guessing. For Netflix subscribers who get obsessed with decoding clues and tracking lore, Locke & Key delivers the same rich buffet for the mind as Stranger Things.

Why Locke & Key Was Canceled By Netflix After Just Three Seasons

Despite Critical Acclaim And A Loyal Fanbase, Locke & Key Never Got The Spotlight It Deserved

Even though it was one of the most creative Netflix shows like Stranger Things, Locke & Key never became a breakout hit. The series was canceled in 2022, shortly after the release of its third season. Unlike some Netflix shows that end abruptly, Locke & Key was at least allowed to conclude its story on its own . Showrunners Carlton Cuse and Meredith Averill confirmed ahead of time that the third season would be the last, giving the team time to wrap up the major arcs.

Still, there’s a lingering sense that Locke & Key could’ve gone further. The comic series it was based on (written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodríguez) has a deeper and darker mythology that was only partially explored onscreen. While the finale didn’t leave viewers with massive unresolved cliffhangers, it did close out in a way that felt more like a goodbye than a grand payoff. Fans who had hoped for multiple more seasons, especially after such a strong second season, were understandably disappointed.

Biggest Differences Between the Locke & Key Comics and Netflix Show

Netflix's Locke & Key is based on a series of beloved comic books by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez. Here's a breakdown of the major differences between the show and comics.

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In the end, Locke & Key was a Netflix show that quietly flew under the radar, possibly even because it was in the shadow of Stranger Things and other hits on the streamer like The Witcher and The Umbrella Academy. With stronger promotion and better timing, it might’ve found the massive audience it truly deserved. Thankfully, though, Locke & Key is still on Netflix and waiting to be discovered by fans looking for something new to binge after Stranger Things.