'Stranger Things 4': 5 shows to binge-watch to get your nostalgia horror fix before the series returns
A good show takes time to produce, especially during the pandemic, but how does one get their fix of the show's unique blend of nostalgia and small-town horror in the meanwhile? Sure, one could simply watch the first three seasons all over again, but if you're looking for something you haven't seen before, we've compiled a list of 5 other shows you can binge-watch while you're waiting for 'Stranger Things 4' to release on Netflix.
1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
When it comes to nostalgia, and horror, you don't get a lot better than the classic 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Set in the '90s, it's a decade away from the '80s vibes of 'Stranger Things', but given that the show features teenagers in high school, it's quite possibly a glimpse into the future of the 'Stranger Things' kids. The show stars Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers, who is the Chosen One - the once-in-a-generation Slayer chosen to fight back the forces of darkness. Trying to balance high school and vampire slaying isn't easy - especially when that high school is situated right on top of a Hellmouth. Known for its quick humor, relatable themes and well-rounded characters, the show's a must watch for anyone who grew up in the '90s.
2. The Twilight Zone
Created by Rod Sterling in 1959, 'The Twilight Zone' set new standards for science fiction and horror storytelling for its time, and its anthology format is still celebrated today. Featuring stories that are disturbing, contemplative, or just plain weird, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to episodes. Whether you watch the original black-and-white series, the most latest one by Jordan Peele, or any of the seasons in between, you have over 300 episodes ready for your viewing pleasure - enough to tide you over through waiting for 'Stranger Thigns 4' and beyond.
3. Twin Peaks
Another great show from the 90s, 'Twin Peaks' perfectly captures the uncanny feel of the supernatural creeping into life in a small town. The show stars Kyle MacLachlan as FBI Agent Dale Cooper as he's sent to the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington, to investigate the death of local homecoming queen, Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). The show starts off as a detective fiction thriller, but strange, eerie, supernatural elements slowly make their way into the show, making the series one of the most unsettling experiences the 90s had to offer - mixed in with just the right amount of humor to keep you coming back for more. The 2017 Showtime revival brought the series back for a third season, setting the story to rest once and for all.
4. 'Goosebumps'
Forget the 2015 film starring Jack Black, the 'Goosebumps' series from 1995 is the perfect series to binge if you want to watch children come up against horror after horror that will keep you right on the edge of your seat. Like 'The Twilight Zone', 'Goosebumps' is an anthology series based on the popular book series of the same name by RL Stine. Though it was a show made for kids, the show could often be a genuinely disturbing experience, showing that the best horror doesn't have to have horror, gore, or even constant deaths - the right strange concept can haunt your nightmares for years.
5. 'Eerie, Indiana'
'Eerie, Indiana' was an overlooked series that hits a lot of the same elements that makes 'Stranger Things' so popular, children getting around bikes in a small town, dealing with the supernatural. Of course, the horrors found in Eerie were a lot less world-ending and a lot more hilariously strange. Featuring intelligent, world conquering dogs, a Captain Ahab-like tornado hunter, and even an Elvis sighting, the show managed to balance a serious tone with a fair amount of humor. The show only ran for one season - a short binge, but worth tracking down all the same if you can manage it.
'Stranger Things 4' is set to release sometime in 2021, on Netflix.