Two of the most popular series in recent years are Riverdale. (Though both have received their immense popularity because of Netflix.) They are cross-genre and cross-generation hits that appeal to audiences of all backgrounds. Cultural phenomenons, Stranger Things & Riverdale have experienced intense fan followings throughout their still-ongoing runs.
They also share a bit of the same story-centric DNA. A ton of similarities exist between the two programs. However, a lot of differences are present, too. For as much as these two series have in common, they do diverge a bit from one another. After all, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and The Duffer Brothers do have slightly different sensibilities.
Similar: Mysterious Deaths
The general premise behind both Stranger Things and Riverdale is the same. The inciting action is the mysterious occurrence pertaining to a person many of the characters were connected to.
On Stranger Things, that's the disappearance of Will Byers (and later, Barb, whose actor, Shannon Purser, appears on both shows). On Riverdale, it's the death of Jason Blossom. One is more mysterious than the other (and one might not be a death at all), but they both give the shows similar driving forces.
Different: Preexisting Property
One of the key differences is that Riverdale draws on a lot of preexisting material, whereas Stranger Things relies heavily on its own original storytelling. The Duffer Brothers created Stranger Things all on their own.
Riverdale, on the other hand, is based on Archie Comics characters. Granted, the show is a departure from these comics, but there is still a backdrop upon which the show springboarded onto The CW.
Similar: Small Town
It's not just that the two shows both have driving mysteries at their heart. It's that they see these mysteries come from seemingly quaint small towns that are idyllic on the surface.
Stranger Things takes place in Hawkins, Indiana and Riverdale, obviously, occurs in Riverdale. Of course, neither town is what they seem to be, a fact which is steadily revealed over the course of the shows.
Different: Efficient Storytelling
Stranger Things benefits greatly from shorter seasons (hovering around eight episodes, typically) that keep the storytelling focused and arcs perfectly plotted.
Riverdale, however, reaches the height of twenty-two episodes in its seasons occasionally. That's the difference between a network series and a streaming show. Riverdale has more episodes to fill and can be more meandering, leading to unfocused writing from time to time.
Similar: Changing With The Seasons
Both shows experience an ebb and flow with the seasons. Riverdale, though seeming to frequently be in a hazy fog, journeys through the seasons of the year (with one episode even centered around the inflection point of Labor Day).
Stranger Things does, too! The first season takes place during the holiday season with the second following that up with a Halloween arc. The third season gravitates toward the 4th of July instead. The seasons change on both!
Different: Sexuality
Topics of sex and relationships based around sex are much more prevalent on Riverdale. This is also true of the actors, who are frequently sexualized by the show's style.
This is less true of Stranger Things. There are occasional sexual moments, but for the most part, the characters are more focused on dating and having their first kisses. Fortunately, the sexuality of the actors is also downplayed in favor of a more wholesome bend.
Similar: Kids To The Task
They're just kids, after all. On both series, they are technically kids who are coming of age while the mysteries unfold around them. This is one of the hallmarks of a small town mystery show that can be so compelling to audiences.
No matter the daunting task they face, the kids are up to the task to tackle it. Whether it's supernatural monsters or the life-threatening danger of their friends, the kids rise to the challenge on both series.
Different: The Role Of Adults
The adults are a different matter on the two series, however. Adult characters play a major role on both shows, but they are much more active on Stranger Things. On Riverdale, even Luke Perry's character, Fred, is kept on the sidelines from time to time. It's more oriented around the kids.
On Stranger Things, though, the adults are not just background players. Winona Ryder's Joyce and David Harbour's Hopper have storylines that are treated with as much respect as those of Mike, Eleven, and the gang.
Similar: Nostalgia
Both series are most similar in of their setting, premise, and elements of nostalgia. Nostalgia is actually one of the key points of interest for many who flock to the programs.
Stranger Things, with its myriad influences, is always harkening back to the most beloved properties and stories of the 1980s. Riverdale is a bit less specific, but it does embody the nostalgic era of the seemingly perfect 1950s. It's a more classic kind of nostalgia, but it's nostalgia all the same.
Different: Trope Subversion
The ways the two shows respond to this nostalgia is definitely different, though. Riverdale is much more devoted to the nostalgia and it leans into the tropes that come about from prior eras of storytelling.
Stranger Things is much more interested in subverting these tropes. Just take the character of Steve for example. He could've been a stereotypically popular and rude boyfriend character. Instead, he evolved to become the fan favorite of many viewers. It's a small difference, but it's crucial.