A Guide to Shows That Capture the Same Vibe as ‘The Boroughs’
After binging all eight episodes of ‘The Boroughs’ in one go, it’s natural to feel a bit empty. Fortunately, there are plenty of shows that offer a similar blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and small-town intrigue. Here are 10 series that perfectly capture the same vibe.
10. Outer Range
Royal Abbott was just a Wyoming rancher dealing with family tragedy. Until he discovers a mysterious black void in his pasture. Soon after, a strange drifter arrives in town, and reality begins to unravel.
Blending drama with supernatural mystery, ‘Outer Range’ peels back layers of secrets much like ‘The Boroughs’. Plus, the ensemble cast and the series’ main focus on their perspective also make it a great watch.
9. Lost
Few shows were able to capture the audience like ‘Lost’ did. After a commercial plane crash while flying from Sydney to Los Angeles, the survivors find themselves on a mysterious tropical island.
Stranded and desperate, they try to make it out alive. But that requires this group of strangers to rely on each other. Plus, there are far more terrifying secrets hiding behind the forests of the island.
8. The Leftovers
Imagine waking up one day to discover your loved ones have suddenly disappeared and there is no explanation as to how, where, or why.
‘The Leftovers’ depicts a supernatural phenomenon where two percent of the earth’s population suddenly vanishes one day. Those who remain are left to deal with the grief of suddenly losing their loved ones. Just like ‘The Boroughs,’ the focus is not only on storytelling. Instead, it mixes an intriguing plot with psychological explorations of its characters.
7. Castle Rock
You can never go wrong with a Stephen King adaptation if you want to feel disturbed.
‘Castle Rock’ is an anthology-style series set within the titular fictional town. Here it follows characters drawn from some of King’s most iconic works. Filled with cursed communities, disturbing histories, and supernatural secrets, ‘Castle Rock’ has the ability to draw you straight in. Fans of ‘The Boroughs’ will love the eerie small-town setting along with the dreadful tension.
6. Wayward Pines
When two federal agents disappear without a word, Secret Service agent Ethan Burke travels to the mysterious town of Wayward Pines to investigate this matter. But upon arriving, the first thing he faces is a car accident.
Next, he finds himself waking up in the hospital with no wallet, ID, money, or any working phone nearby. This is just the start of the torture because little does he know that now there is no escape from this horrifying town. You will find that same addictive mystery-box narrative in ‘Wayward Pines’ that made ‘The Boroughs’ so memorable.
5. Locke & Key
After their father is murdered by his former student, his three children and wife move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse. Soon, the kids discover there are magical keys hidden throughout the house.
Each of the keys can be used to unlock equally magical doors. Things take a turn when this attracts the attention of demonic forces as well. Though ‘Locke & Key’ leans more towards fantasy, those same supernatural elements and close-knit groups from ‘The Boroughs’ are still there.
4. Midnight Mass
Created by Mike Flanagan, ‘Midnight Mass’ is set in a small, isolated fishing community. The story begins when Riley Flynn returns to his hometown after being released from prison.
But at the same time, the town meets another new arrival—a mysterious young priest. He comes with the key to dig up the town’s deep-seated secrets, and soon the townspeople face the wrath of the supernatural.
3. Twin Peaks
This classic occult detective series is sprinkled with just the right amount of magical realism to make it the perfect next watch for ‘The Boroughs’ fans. The small town of Twin Peaks discovers the dead body of a murdered teenager.
FBI special agent Dale Cooper arrives on the scene to investigate. But instead, he finds eccentric locals and even more disturbing secrets hiding behind something much darker beneath the façade of the perfectly manicured community.
2. From
Road trips turn into nightmares when people driving near this town suddenly catch themselves in a loop. Once you enter the town, there is no going back. As more and more travelers get stuck, their only hope is to stick together to make it out alive.
Because, as peaceful as it is in the daytime, during the night monsters come out of their dens to hunt. Like ‘The Boroughs,’ ‘From’ also takes up the trope of a small town with secrets buried underneath. Only this time, it’s much more terrifying.
1. Stranger Things
There’s still nothing like the classics. ‘Stranger Things’ is set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The era is the 1980s, when a group of friends finds that their youngest member has suddenly vanished.
As they desperately search for him, they find a mysterious girl who seems to possess supernatural powers. Next thing they know, monsters from another dimension are threatening to enter their world and end it once and for all.
‘Stranger Things’ set the blueprint for nostalgic supernatural thrillers, and fans of ‘The Boroughs’ should definitely give it a watch.
