‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘ delivered everything you’d expect from a teen supernatural horror series: a lethal heroine and found-family dynamics that merge seamlessly with hunts to eliminate the bad. Sarah Michelle Gellar absolutely nailed the role, and three decades later, we still haven’t found a replacement. It’s a pity Hulu cancelled revival plans, but the original series is notoriously hard to recreate.
With monsters and humor complementing its goth appeal, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘ set the standard for later supernatural TV shows. Beyond the usual suspects like ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ ‘Teen Wolf,’ and ‘The X Files,’ here’s a list of 10 shows that capture the same aesthetics as Buffy’s tale, featuring strong friendships and messy plotlines.
10. Nancy Drew (2019-2023)
A popular book series adaptation, ‘Nancy Drew,’ follows a teen detective trying to solve a supernatural mystery. Based on the classic ‘Nancy Drew Mystery Stories,’ which spans over 100 books, the 2019 adaptation gives off a teen Sherlock Holmes vibe, blending humor and suspense reminiscent of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘ within a strong small-town setting.
9. Charmed (1998-2006)
Demon-hunting witch sisters who never catch a break, ‘Charmed‘ is a 90s fantasy series that feels like ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s long-lost cousin. From a tight-knit girl group to varied plotlines across episodes, the show keeps viewers on edge with its myth arcs. Piper, Prue, and Phoebe discover their witch ancestry, which they develop and use to fight evil. While the storyline follows the typical 90s supernatural drama formula, Holly Marie Combs, Shannen Doherty, and Alyssa Milano make the trio truly shine.
Related: 30 Best Supernatural TV Shows Ever Made
8. The Magicians (2015-2020)
Think urban fantasy set in a high school with spells capable of world-ending destruction, and you have ‘The Magicians.’ Narrated through Quentin, the series follows him as he enrolls in a supernatural university and uncovers shocking truths about magic and those who wield it. The show features cartoonish villains and enough supernatural world-building to sustain five full seasons.
7. Veronica Mars (2004-2007)
Set in a noir-inspired world with strong detective storylines but no supernatural elements, ‘Veronica Mars‘ serves as the mortal counterpart to ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘. Played by Kristen Bell, Veronica is a high school student who dedicates herself to solving crime mysteries after a tragic event. The series is also known for its unconventional airing schedule, with the fourth season arriving a decade after the third.
6. Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)
As the title suggests, the series follows twin sisters Sterling and Blair Wesley, who lead double lives as bounty hunters and, well, high schoolers. While it doesn’t feature monsters or an ongoing multi-season storyline, it still echoes ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s’ hunter arc in its single season.
In case you missed it: 10 Actors Who Hated Their Characters Being Killed Off On TV Shows
5. Doctor Who
Before Matt Smith took on the role of Daemon Targaryen, he won fans as the Eleventh Doctor in ‘Doctor Who‘. Following a detective-like storyline, the series features plot twists, life-or-death moments, and unpredictability across its seasons. With each new actor taking on the Doctor since 1963, the show’s universe feels like a constantly evolving, giant-scale update.
4. Wynonna Earp (2016-2021)
Starring Katherine Barrell, Melanie Scrofano, and more, ‘Wynonna Earp‘ follows a woman from a family of demon hunters and the journey she embarks on. Think ‘Yellowstone’, but with hunters instead of ranchers; you get a pretty solid picture. This comic-book adaptation runs for four seasons, balancing heartfelt moments with witty humor to keep you hooked!
3. Shadowhunters (2016-2019)
The TV adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s ‘The Mortal Instruments‘ follows teens with extraordinary demon-hunting abilities, making the challenges of the immortal world feel almost routine. Packed with runes, spells, and intricate world-building, it is essentially a teen drama at its core, complete with love triangles, on-and-off relationships, and plenty of action to keep things exciting.
2. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018-2020)
Starring Kiernan Shipka, ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘ is Netflix’s take on reviving the 90s supernatural appeal. The series follows teen witch Sabrina Spellman, who single-handedly battles evil. It is darker than ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘, yet it keeps the same family dynamics, heavy magic, and moral weight that shape the character arcs across its four seasons. Overall, the show reimagines the cliched elements of supernatural teen drama with more nuanced plotlines.
1. Supernatural (2005-2020)
Who doesn’t know Dean and Sam Winchester, the demon-hunting brothers whose appeal carried ‘Supernatural‘ through 15 seasons? The series delivers extensive world-building, sarcastic humor, and intense mythology, making it feel like a natural extension of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s universe. Almost every type of paranormal creature makes an appearance along the way.
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