15 Shows Like ‘Yellowjackets’ to Stream Before Season 2
Showtime’s coming-of-age survival drama, Yellowjackets, is all the rage right now, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does it feature a brilliant ensemble cast, but it also seamlessly blends drama with murder mystery and psychological horror, reeling us in with the most fascinating storylines. So, after flying through all ten episodes (and combing through dozens of fan theories), we’re already craving more shows like Yellowjackets.
Fortunately for us, streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu have a variety of similar options, whether you’re drawn to teen dramas (like The Wilds) or supernatural mysteries (like Manifest). Here are 15 equally compelling dramas to hold you over until the premiere of Yellowjackets season two.
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1. ‘The Wilds’
Given that it follows a diverse group of teen girls who get stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, this coming-of-age drama is as close to Yellowjackets as you can get. But here’s the twist: While the girls are led to believe that the crash was accidental, a mysterious woman is watching (and documenting) their every move.
2. ‘Lost’
With its solid cast and smart treatment of compelling themes, it's no secret that Lost had a huge influence on Yellowjackets. It starts off with a devastating plane crash that leaves a group of passengers stranded on a remote island with limited resources. And more importantly, it sets the golden standard for how to do the flashback and flashforward sequences the right way.
3. ‘The Leftovers’
In this criminally underrated supernatural drama, we see the aftermath of the "Sudden Departure," where 140 million people around the globe mysteriously disappear and don’t return. Inspired by Tom Perrotta's book of the same name, the show tackles grief, faith, identity and even the afterlife.
4. ‘Manifest’
Manifest is like one giant brainteaser that's almost impossible to figure out—but that's exactly what makes it so good. After a turbulent flight lands safely in New York, the passengers are stunned to find that they’ve time-traveled five years into the future. While its overall tone and major themes are quite different than Yellowjackets, it includes supernatural elements and enough mystery to keep you in detective mode.
5. ‘The Society’
A group of high schoolers return from a field trip and find that the entire population of their town in Connecticut has vanished. To top it off, they have no way to escape. Although they form their own “society,” it’s only a matter of time before things devolve into utter chaos.
6. ‘Cruel Summer’
Executive produced by the one and only Jessica Biel, Cruel Summer is about Jeanette Turner, a girl who mysteriously “steals” the life and popularity of another girl who’s missing. It’s the kind of show that’ll have you asking, “What the heck just happened?” every 15 minutes—but trust us, it’s totally worth it.
7. ‘The A-List’
It’s Mean Girls, but with a more sinister, supernatural twist. The British series follows Mia, whose summer holiday at camp is turned into a literal nightmare when the new girl shows up. Expect romance, betrayal and plenty of suspense.
8. ‘The 100’
Set 100 years after a nuclear apocalypse obliterates almost all life on Earth, the series focuses on a surviving group of 100 rebellious teens, who are sent back to the planet to see if it’s habitable. The series is action-packed and does a solid job of exploring moral choices. (And yes, some characters even resort to cannibalism.)
9. ‘Dare Me’
In this cross between Bring It On and Riverdale, a group of high school cheerleaders discover that there’s more to their new coach than meets the eye. If you were drawn to Yellowjackets’ outrageous twists and dark tone, then you’ll love this drama.
10. ‘The Stranded’
The Thai series follows a group of elite students, who are forced to fend for themselves on a private island after a huge tsunami hits. Think of it as Lost with a hint of Yellowjackets.
11. ‘Station Eleven’
Two decades after a deadly flu pandemic wipes out 99 percent of civilization, the hopeful survivors cross paths with a mysterious cult. The intimate tale spans multiple timelines, from the day the pandemic hit to its devastating aftermath. And while it’s not nearly as gruesome and dark as Yellowjackets, it examines similar themes like loss, grief and survival.
12. ‘Pretty Little Liars’
The PLL squad and the Yellowjackets are quite similar, given that both groups are forced to deal with a traumatic incident that breeds chaos and division. Plus, you can’t help but wonder which girls to trust. On Pretty Little Liars, a group of estranged BFFs start to receive threatening messages from a mysterious source, and all signs point to their missing friend, Alison (Sasha Pieterse).
13. ‘Wayward Pines’
Inspired by Blake Crouch’s sci-fi trilogy, the series follows Ethan, a Secret Service agent who heads to a mysterious Idaho town called Wayward Pines to investigate a case. But when he gets there, he discovers that all the inhabitants are forbidden to leave. It has all the makings of a compelling mystery, from cryptic flashbacks to shocking twists.
14. ‘The Flight Attendant’
Kaley Cuoco stars as Cassie Bowden, a flight attendant who wakes one morning only to find herself in bed with a dead man. And to make matters worse, she doesn’t remember what happened. It may not involve a devastating plane crash or teen-fueled drama, but it masterfully mixes comedy with mystery and suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.
15. ‘This Is Us’
Including NBC’s beloved dramedy about the Pearson family on this list might feel like a stretch…but hear us out. Like Yellowjackects, it takes us through different timelines while exploring complex relationships and the consequences of unresolved trauma. Only in this case, you won’t see any gory scenes involving cannibalism.
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