12 Shows Like The Sandman You Must See

Based on the DC comic book series created by Neil Gaiman, ‘The Sandman’ tells the story of Lord Morpheus (Tom Sturridge), also known as Dream or the titular Sandman. The personification of dreams and nightmares, and the ruler of the Dreaming realm, Morpheus is captured in an occult ritual by a British aristocrat in 1918. The latter also steals his totems of power, including his helm, a pouch of sand, and a ruby. After spending 106 years in captivity, Morpheus escapes in 2021. He returns to Dreaming to find his kingdom in ruins, which prompts him to journey across realms and timelines to fix the mess caused by his absence. The fantasy series on Netflix brings to life a wide array of characters from comics, myths, and legends. In case you’re craving more of the same, here is a curated list of shows similar to ‘Tha Sandman’ to satiate your hunger.

12. Dead Boy Detectives (2024)

Developed by Steve Yockey based on the eponymous DC Comics series, ‘Dead Boy Detectives’ follows Edwin Payne (George Rexstrew) and Charles Rowland (Jayden Revri), two deceased boys who refuse to enter the afterlife. Edwin is killed in 1916 when his classmates perform a sacrifice ritual as a prank, but end up summoning the demon who claims his soul. Charles dies much later in 1989, when his teammates brutalize him for defending a Pakistani child. The duo decides to stay back on Earth to investigate crimes involving the supernatural. Like ‘The Sandman,’ the occult and related legends make up the core subject of ‘Dead Boy Detectives.’

11. Carnivàle (2003-2005)

Created by Daniel Knauf, ‘Carnivàle’ is set during the Great Depression of the 1930s and follows two converging storylines. The first involves Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), a young man with miraculous healing powers who joins a traveling carnival when it passes near his home in Milfay, Oklahoma. Soon, he starts to dream of Henry Scudder, another man with similar abilities who came across the circus many years ago. The second is about Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown), who shares Ben’s dreams and discovers his own supernatural ability to bend people to his will and make their sins and greatest evils manifest as terrifying visions. Similar to ‘The Sandman,’ ‘Carnivàle’ draws upon mythological themes from Christianity, as well as gnosticism and Masonic lore.

10. Penny Dreadful (2014-2016)

From the mind of John Logan, ‘Penny Dreadful’ is set in the late nineteenth century and opens in London with a strange motley of people coming together. It includes American gunman and roadshow artist Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), adventurer-explorer Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), and the mysterious Vanessa Ives (Eva Green). The trio comes across an array of mythical subjects, from Dorian Gray, to Dracula and Abraham Van Helsing, Frankenstein and his monster, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide, and many more. The show, like ‘The Sandman,’ takes place in a land of fantasy with popularly known figures driving the story forward.

9. Shadow and Bone (2021-2023)

Based on the novels by Leigh Bardugo, ‘Shadow and Bone’ takes place in a fantasy world where some people hold the power to manipulate certain elements at the molecular level. Known as the Grisha, they hold a special place in the human civilization that is divided into small warring kingdoms. The plot revolves around Alina Starkov, a young girl who is discovered to be the Sun Summoner, the only person who has the ability to summon light. This makes her the only person to get rid of a wall made of complete darkness that runs through the middle of the continent. The show, like ‘The Sandman,’ relies heavily on mystical elements, while providing the freshness of original creation.

8. The Wheel of Time (2021-2025)

Helmed by Rafe Judkins, ‘The Wheel of Time’ is based on an eponymous book series by Robert Jordan. The story follows Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), a member of the powerful organization of women called Aes Sedai who has the ability to channel the One Power. She is in search of a person who is the reincarnation of the Dragon, the great channeller who holds the power of either uniting the world or breaking it. Like ‘The Sandman,’ mythical beings abound in ‘The Wheel of Time’ as the world is threatened by a primordial evil known as the Dark One.

7. The Witcher (2019-)

Created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, ‘The Witcher’ follows Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a monster-hunting mercenary with magical powers who is a part of the ancient order of the Witchers. Fate has him linked to Crown Princess Cirilla of Cintra, whom he unknowingly demanded of her parents before she was born. Ciri has the power within her to open doorways between worlds and allow monsters from other realms to cross over. The duo is also connected to the sorceress, Yennefer of Vengerberg. Starting off at different points in time, their stories merge as one as the show progresses. The world of magic and monsters depicted in ‘The Witcher,’ as created in his book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, is reminiscent of the one created in ‘The Sandman.’

6. Supernatural (2006-2020)

From the mind of Eric Kripke, ‘Supernatural’ tells the story of the Winchester brothers, Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki), who dedicate their lives to hunting ghosts, demons, monsters, and other supernatural beings. The job is a family business for the Winchesters, as they take it on after their father, John (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). The two brothers are set on the path from their very childhood when their mother is killed at their home by the demon Azazel. Driving around a black 1967 Impala, the brothers face threats of cosmic proportions as the show progresses. Many characters seen in ‘Supernatural’ show up in a different version in ‘The Sandman,’ making the shows relatable yet fresh.

5. His Dark Materials (2019-2022)

Adapted from the trilogy of novels by Philip Pullman, ‘His Dark Materials’ opens in an alternate world governed by the religious and political body, Magisterium, where human souls manifest as animal companions called daemons. At the center of the narrative is Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen), a young orphan living at Jordan College, Oxford, who comes to know of a dangerous secret and a prophecy that can change the world. While searching for her missing friend, Lyra also comes across a mysterious substance called Dust, which leads her to an epic journey across worlds. Leah’s adventures with the Dust are reminiscent of ‘The Sandman,’ whose titular character famously uses sand as one of his magical conduits.

4. Good Omens (2019-)

Neil Gaiman adapted ‘Good Omens’ for television from the eponymous book that he wrote with Terry Pratchett. It centers around the unlikely friendship between the demon Crowley (David Tennant) and the angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), which grew over their long stay on Earth as representatives of Heaven and Hell. In the face of Armageddon, the final battle between Heaven and Hell, they team up to stop the arrival of the Antichrist that will end life on Earth as we know it. Like ‘The Sandman,’ the show presents a fresh take on ancient mythical beings, portrayed in human form.

3. American Gods (2017-2021)

Bryan Fuller and Michael Green adapt yet another novel by Neil Gaiman, creating ‘American Gods.’ It follows a prisoner called Shadow Moon (Ricky Whittle), who comes across a stranger named Mr. Wednesday (Ian McShane) on the day of his release. The latter persuades him to take up a job with him as his minder. Soon, Shadow finds himself in a world where magic and the supernatural exist, as well as Old and New Gods. The latter group includes Technology and Media, seeking to make the Old Gods irrelevant. To prevent that, Mr. Wednesday attempts to unite the Old Gods to defend their existence. The clash between seemingly cosmic entities shows the similarity between ‘American Gods’ and ‘The Sandman.’

2. Constantine (2014-2015)

Developed by Daniel Cerone and David S. Goyer based on the popular antihero in DC Comics, ‘Constantine’ stars Matt Ryan as the titular John Constantine, master of the occult and mystic arts, who has dedicated his life to banishing monsters from Earth to Hell. A former con man, Constantin struggles against his past sins and alcoholism, and for redemption of his soul, as he travels across the country to battle converging supernatural threats that are increasingly appearing due to “Rising Darkness.” An alternate version of Constantine, Johanna (Jenna Coleman), appears in ‘The Sandman’ series, playing a key role in Morpheus’ journey following his return.

1. Lucifer (2016-2021)

Developed by Tom Kapinos, ‘Lucifer’ is based on yet another creation of Neil Gaiman, along with Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg. The show focuses on the fallen archangel Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who gets bored with his life as the ruler of Hell and decides to stay on Earth. Along with his most trusted comrade, Mazikeen (Lesley-Ann Brandt), he moves to Los Angeles and becomes the owner of a nightclub. Lucifer meets LAPD Detective Chloe Decker (Lauren German) when he becomes involved in a murder investigation, and is surprised to find her immune to his charms. Curious about the discovery, he joins the LAPD as a consultant to get to the bottom of the mystery.

While the character of Lucifer appears in ‘The Sandman,’ it is embodied by Gwendoline Christie. Gaiman, who wrote both comics, insisted that Tom Ellis’ version would have difficulty fitting into the show, even though the character stays essentially the same. Many supernatural and cosmic beings who are seen in ‘Lucifer’ have made their way to ‘The Sandman,’ with the underlying mythical themes often overlapping in the two shows.