Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘The Boroughs’ is set in a quiet retirement community in the New Mexico desert and follows Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), a recently widowed retired engineer who moves to the community hoping for a peaceful new beginning. Instead, he soon feels isolated and unsettled in the unfamiliar surroundings. Everything changes after Sam experiences a terrifying encounter that suggests something dangerous is hiding within the seemingly perfect neighborhood.
When his warnings are dismissed, he joins forces with other overlooked residents, including Renee (Geena Davis), Judy Daniels (Alfre Woodard), and Jack Willard (Bill Pullman). As the group investigates the looming mystery, they uncover dark secrets buried beneath the community’s calm exterior and realize they may be the only people capable of stopping the threat. Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, the sci-fi series is a wild and unpredictable ride. Interested in finding more shows similar to ‘The Boroughs’ that will leave you thrilled and guessing? You can check out this list.
12. Tales from the Loop (2020)
‘Tales from the Loop’ is set in the town of Mercer, Ohio, and revolves around a mysterious underground research facility known as The Loop, built to conduct experiments involving unusual forms of physics. The experiments carried out beneath the town begin affecting reality in unpredictable ways, causing strange events linked to time and human perception. As impossible occurrences become part of everyday life, the residents of Mercer find themselves facing unsettling experiences that challenge their understanding of the world.
Each episode focuses on different townspeople and the ways their lives are altered by The Loop. Shaped by the creative vision of Nathaniel Halper, the Prime Video sci-fi drama series is based on the eponymous art book by Simon Stålenhag. The element of mystery in the show, along with its focus on inexplicable events and rare phenomena, will remind you of ‘The Boroughs’ and its depiction of unlikely occurrences in a unique town.
11. The OA (2016-2019)
Netflix’s ‘The OA’ is the tale of Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), a young woman who suddenly returns home after being missing for seven years. Her reappearance shocks everyone because she was blind before disappearing, yet now her eyesight has been fully restored. Calling herself “The OA,” Prairie refuses to explain where she has been or how she regained her vision. Her mysterious scars and unusual behavior cause some people to see her as miraculous, while others fear she may be dangerous.
Soon, she gathers a small group of people, gradually revealing a strange story involving missing individuals, other dimensions, and experiences beyond reality. With Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij at the creative helm, the mystery drama series is a thrilling experience. How does a small community cope with mind-bending revelations and mysteries? This question is answered by ‘The OA’ and ‘The Boroughs’ in similar ways, focusing on unique visual elements and character dynamics.
10. Dark (2017-2020)
‘Dark’ is a German sci-fi mystery thriller series set in the small town of Winden. It begins with the disappearance of children, an event that slowly exposes hidden connections between four local families and long-buried secrets stretching across generations. As investigations continue in 2019, the mystery grows far more complex, revealing strange links between the past, present, and future. Supernatural forces connected to the town’s history begin influencing the lives of everyone involved, turning the search for answers into something far larger than anyone expected.
At the center of the unfolding events is Jonas Kahnwald (Louis Hofmann), a troubled young boy who may hold an important connection to the fate of Winden and the people trapped within its mysteries. Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese serve as creators of the Netflix show, which has earned recognition as a science fiction masterpiece. Small towns, confused characters, mysteries beneath the surface, and an overwhelming sense of dread are a few of the many commonalities between ‘Dark’ and ‘The Boroughs.’
9. Midnight Mass (2021)
‘Midnight Mass’ centers on Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), who serves prison time for a fatal drunk-driving accident. Later, he returns to his hometown of Crockett Island, struggling with guilt and uncertainty about his future. Riley tries to rebuild his life in the small town where he grew up, even though it proves difficult. At the same time, the arrival of Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater), the new priest at St. Patrick’s Church, begins transforming the deeply religious community. His passionate sermons inspire renewed faith among the island’s residents, though Riley remains skeptical of the growing devotion surrounding him.
As strange and increasingly disturbing events begin unfolding across Crockett Island, tensions rise within the community, forcing both Riley and Father Paul to confront unsettling truths that threaten the town’s fragile sense of order. The Netflix horror series, created by Mike Flanagan, is a deeply unsettling commentary on faith and death. The show is spiritually connected to ‘The Boroughs’ through its claustrophobic and tense narrative style, combined with the mysteries experienced by the characters in horrifying spaces.
8. The Midwich Cuckoos (2022)
Based on John Wyndham’s eponymous novel, ‘The Midwich Cuckoos’ unfolds in the English town of Midwich. The British sci-fi series from creator David Farr picks up when the entire community becomes unconscious for several hours because of an unexplained force surrounding the area. After the strange event ends, life appears to return to normal until it is discovered that every woman of childbearing age within the affected zone has mysteriously become pregnant. Psychotherapist Susannah Zellaby (Keeley Hawes) and police officer Paul Haynes (Max Beesley) attempt to understand the disturbing phenomenon, even as children born from the event begin displaying increasingly unsettling behavior. If you enjoyed the spooky and puzzling storylines in ‘The Boroughs,’ you will likely appreciate the unraveling of the mystery in ‘The Midwich Cuckoos.’
7. Haven (2010-2015)
‘Haven’ is a supernatural drama series loosely inspired by Stephen King’s novel ‘The Colorado Kid.’ It delves into the journey of FBI Special Agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose), who arrives in the small town of Haven to investigate what initially appears to be a routine case. Soon after arriving, she discovers that Haven is affected by a mysterious phenomenon known as the Troubles, which gives certain residents dangerous supernatural abilities. While helping the town deal with these unusual incidents, she partners with local detective Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant).
As Audrey digs deeper into Haven’s strange history, she begins uncovering clues suggesting that her own connection to the town may be far more significant. Created by Jim Dunn and Sam Ernst, the show reveals secrets that could change the characters’ fates. While ‘Haven’ features a young outsider who gets embroiled in the secrets of a strange new town, ‘The Boroughs’ places older characters in a similar setting where their fates are uncertain.
6. Resident Alien (2021-2025)
‘Resident Alien’ follows an extraterrestrial who crash-lands near the small town of Patience, Colorado, while secretly tasked to destroy humanity. To remain hidden, he assumes the identity of a vacationing doctor named Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk). Harry is unexpectedly pulled into the role of the local doctor and becomes deeply involved with the residents of Patience. While trying to continue his mission, he slowly begins learning about human emotions.
Complicating matters further, the mayor’s young son, Max Hawthorne (Judah Prehn), can see Harry’s true alien appearance, threatening to expose his secret. Chris Sheridan serves as the creator of the sci-fi comedy-drama series, based on Peter Hogan and Steve Parkhouse’s eponymous comic book. The show is uniquely connected to ‘The Boroughs’ through its exploration of the deeply embedded mysteries of an unfamiliar setting from the perspective of an outsider.
5. Widow’s Bay (2026-)
Apple TV’s ‘Widow’s Bay’ is a comedy horror series set in the titular remote island town off the New England coast. The Katie Dippold creation delves into the trials of Mayor Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), who is determined to restore life to the struggling community by turning it into a tourist destination. Widow’s Bay remains isolated from the modern world, and many longtime residents believe the town is cursed. Because of this, Tom faces constant resistance from locals who question both his leadership and his ability to protect the community. Still, he continues pushing forward, hoping to build a better future for his teenage son and the island itself.
However, as visitors begin to arrive, disturbing events connected to Widow’s Bay’s dark past start to resurface. Strange incidents, unsettling rumors, and stories involving cannibalism gradually force Tom to confront terrifying truths hidden beneath the town’s quiet exterior. Both ‘Widow’s Bay’ and ‘The Boroughs’ take place in secretive communities, feature confused outsiders looking for patterns, depict violence, and dig deep into disturbing revelations capable of turning reality on its head.
4. Castle Rock (2018-2019)
Hulu’s ‘Castle Rock’ is a supernatural horror series inspired by the fictional town of the same name, imagined by Stephen King. Set in Castle Rock, Maine, the show explores a community haunted by disturbing events, hidden secrets, and unexplained horrors connected to the larger Stephen King universe. Shaped by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason’s creative vision, the story begins with Henry Deaver (André Holland), who returns to his hometown after receiving news about a mysterious inmate held inside Shawshank Prison.
The prisoner refuses to speak to anyone except Henry, forcing him back into a place filled with painful memories. As Henry is drawn deeper into the town’s darkness, several residents struggle to survive the strange events unfolding around them. What makes the show complementary to ‘The Boroughs’ and its characters is its depiction of supernatural phenomena, unsettling secrets, human fragility, and the trauma of a small community isolated from the realities of the outside world.
3. From (2022-)
Created by John Griffin, ‘From’ unravels in a mysterious town that traps everyone who enters, making escape seemingly impossible. Cut off from the outside world, the residents struggle to survive while terrifying creatures emerge from the surrounding forest every night, forcing the community to hide indoors until morning. At the center of the sci-fi horror series is Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau), the town’s sheriff and reluctant leader, who works to maintain order as fear spreads among the residents.
Tensions rise further after the arrival of the Matthews family, who quickly realize they are trapped like everyone else. As strange events become increasingly difficult to explain, the people of the town search for answers, while desperately hoping to find a path back home. The show, akin to ‘The Boroughs,’ evokes a sense of dread, isolation, and helplessness, placing characters in seemingly inescapable, mind-bending situations where more questions than answers arise.
2. Wayward Pines (2015-2016)
Fox’s ‘Wayward Pines’ is a science fiction mystery series based on Blake Crouch’s eponymous novel series. The Chad Hodge creation centers on Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon), who arrives in the small town of Wayward Pines to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents. Soon after arriving in the town, Ethan realizes he cannot leave and becomes trapped in the seemingly peaceful community. As he searches for answers, he discovers that one missing agent is dead, while the other, Kate Hewson (Carla Gugino), his former lover, has fully adapted to life in the town.
Although Wayward Pines appears calm and orderly on the surface, Ethan gradually uncovers a disturbing system governed by strict, deadly rules enforced by Sheriff Arnold Pope (Terrence Howard). Isolated from the outside world, Ethan struggles to expose the truth hidden behind the town’s puzzling reality. What makes the show complementary to ‘The Boroughs’ is its unsettling revelations, tense character moments, disturbing patterns of inexplicable behavior, and its sense of isolation.
1. Stranger Things (2016-2025)
With Matt and Ross Duffer at the creative helm, Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ is a horror drama series that takes place in the town of Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s. Despite Hawkins seeming like a peaceful town, something strange and inexplicable seems to exist below its surface. At the heart of the story is a group of pre-teen friends. Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) are close friends who enjoy playing Dungeons & Dragons, an epic board game. One night, after a gaming session, Will goes missing. Lucas, Dustin, and Mike go beyond their limits to find Will, and it is then that they cross paths with a mysterious girl known only as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).
While something secretive is happening at the Hawkins National Laboratory, there seems to be a connection between Eleven, the laboratory, and a strange realm called the “Upside Down,” a dark version of Hawkins. With everything stacked against them, the three boys and Eleven must get to the truth before time runs out. ‘The Boroughs’ and ‘Stranger Things’ are both puzzling stories that unfold in remote communities where secrets lurk in the shadows, mysterious creatures exist, and supernatural elements are part of the equation. You will also appreciate the spooky and unpredictable visual tones of the shows, which are both original and engaging.
Read More: Shows Like Widow’s Bay
