The Netflix series ‘Sweet Tooth’ has captivated audiences with its unique blend of fantasy, post-apocalyptic world-building, complex characters, and heartfelt storytelling. The narrative begins with humanity on the verge of extinction due to a mysterious virus known as H5G9. Simultaneously, a new species emerges—hybrids who are half-human and half-animal.
“Sweet Tooth” explores the narrow-mindedness and cruelty that humans can exhibit when cornered. The show delves deeply into social themes such as unconditional love and the need for acceptance. For viewers craving similar experiences, here are seven shows that offer similar themes, imaginative worlds, and a captivating blend of fantasy, adventure, and psychological elements.
1. The Walking Dead
- Genre: Horror, Drama, Thriller
- Platform: AMC
The Walking Dead franchise is a big name in the entertainment industry. The show has a total of 11 seasons and a huge fan following. The series is based on the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The series follows a group of survivors led by former sheriff Rick Grimes in a post-apocalyptic world which is overrun by zombies and outlaws. The show explores the themes of survival, community, and the moral complexities of living in a world without law and order.
Both shows depict a post-apocalyptic world where the survivors must do unspeakable things and bend their morals to survive both the environment and other survivors.
2. Stranger Things
- Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
Created by the Duffer Brothers, “Stranger Things” is set in the 19080s. The series revolves around the disappearance of a young boy named Will Byers in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. But it’s not a simple kidnapping case. As his friends and family search for him, they uncover a series of supernatural events. During their search, they meet a mysterious girl named Eleven, who has psychokinetic abilities.
Similar to “Sweet Tooth,” the series features young kids as protagonists who face dangers and supernatural beings as they search for their friends. The series beautifully blends elements of horror and science fiction, making the show so interesting.
3. The Rain
- Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Thriller, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
“The Rain” is a Danish post-apocalyptic series that centers on siblings Simone and Rasmus as they navigate a world ravaged by a deadly virus transmitted through rainfall. Six years after the initial outbreak, they emerge from their bunker to find a ruined civilization. Teaming up with other survivors, they embark on a perilous journey across Scandinavia to locate their father, a scientist, while confronting the ongoing threat of the virus and uncovering secrets about Rasmus.
Much like “Sweet Tooth,” “The Rain” delves into themes of survival in a dystopian world, focusing on young protagonists who must adapt to and confront a new, perilous reality.
4. Locke & Key
- Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
“Locke & Key,” based on the comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez, follows the Locke siblings—Tyler, Kinsey, and Bode—after their father’s murder. As they move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, they discover magical keys that grant supernatural powers and abilities to the Locke siblings. As they explore the extent of the key’s powers and mysteries, they are faced with a malevolent entity, Dodge, who seeks the magical keys for its own sinister plans.
The series follows young protagonists uncovering mysteries in a world where magic and danger exist hand in hand. The themes of family, mystery, and the battle against dark forces make the show similar to “Sweet Tooth.”
5. Shadow and Bone
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
“Shadow and Bone” is a fantasy series based on the Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo. The story follows Alina Starkov, an orphan and mapmaker who lives in a world divided by a dark and monstrous barrier called the Shadow Fold. One day, she discovers her unique powers, which she feels could be the key to destroying the Fold and freeing her war-torn country. She trains with the elites of Grisha’s army to harness her abilities, but she faces threats from all sides, including the powerful and mysterious Darkling.
The series depicts the struggles of a young child who lives in a world where most adults are corrupt and greedy. She dreams of destroying the Shadow Fold with her unique powers but has to fight against overwhelming odds.
6. The Umbrella Academy
- Genre: Superhero, Fantasy, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
“The Umbrella Academy” follows a dysfunctional family of seven adopted siblings each with an extraordinary ability. They are reunited after the death of their adoptive father, Sir Reginald Hargreeves. They become suspicious of their father’s death and set on a journey to unravel the mystery behind his death. They need to face their troubled pasts and personal demons as they try to unravel the mystery of Reginald’s death and the looming threat of an impending apocalypse.
The series features characters with unique abilities and personal problems, which makes their journey both a superhero saga and a deep character study. The blend of fantasy, action, and emotional depth is the common thread between “The Umbrella Academy” and “Sweet Tooth.”
7. The Sandman
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama
- Platform: Netflix
“The Sandman” is adapted from Neil Gaiman’s iconic comic series, which follows Dream, one of the seven Endless, a being even older than gods. He is the lord of dreams and reality. The series starts with him being imprisoned by the sorcerer Roderick Burgess, and his dream tools are also taken by him. Dream escapes his imprisonment after a century and sets out to restore his kingdom and reclaim his stolen artifacts. On his journey, he meets various mythical and mortal beings, each with a story of their own. The series explores the themes of restoration, destiny, and the balance between light and darkness.
These seven recommendations offer a variety of themes and settings that capture the same sense of wonder, adventure, and emotional depth as “Sweet Tooth.” Each show brings something unique, from supernatural mysteries to adventures in a post-apocalyptic world. These recommendations feature the same blend of fantasy, drama, and heartfelt storytelling that “Sweet Tooth” delivers.
