- - Books like 'Stranger Things'. These 8 thrillers will turn you upside down

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAYDecember 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM

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It’s almost time for new “Stranger Things” episodes, picking up after a high-stakes battle in the Upside Down. Season 5's Volume 1 was just the beginning of the ending – for nearly 10 years, we’ve been watching the ragtag group battle Demogorgon after Demogorgon, shedding bowl cuts and Eggo waffles for battles darker than ever.

“Stranger Things 5” returns with a new batch of episodes Christmas Day and will go out with a bang in a two-hour finale released on Netflix and in theaters Dec. 31.

If you’re feeling impatient, why not dive into a book that reads like it’s straight out of Hawkins? Here’s what we recommend.

Books like ‘Stranger Things’

With eerie disappearances and meddling kids, secret labs and small towns plagued by the supernatural, these books are perfect reads for fans of “Stranger Things.”

‘Lost Man’s Lane’ by Scott Carson

"Lost Man's Lane" by Scott Carson

In this thriller, teenager Marshall is the sole witness to a sighting of a missing girl in the back of a cop car belonging to a man who doesn’t exist. The media and police are swarming him, but after someone pokes holes in his credibility, Marshall is cast out to solve the secrets of his hometown and family himself.

‘The Institute’ by Stephen King

"The Institute" by Stephen King

If you’re intrigued by the Hawkins National Laboratory and Dr. Brenner’s experiments, look no further than “The Institute.” In this story, Luke Ellis’ parents are murdered and he’s kidnapped and taken to The Institute, where kids with telekinesis and telepathy are forced to use their powers at the mercy of the brutal staff.

‘The Saturday Night Ghost Club’ by Craig Davidson

"The Saturday Night Ghost Club" by Craig Davidson

If you want an adventurous paranormal romp similar to the early days of “Stranger Things,” read “The Saturday Night Ghost Club.” This coming-of-age story follows a young boy in 1980s Niagara Falls who befriends a pair of siblings to embark on an occult project that becomes all too real all too fast.

‘Listen to Your Sister’ by Neena Viel

"Listen to Your Sister" by Neena Viel

“Listen to Your Sister” is a recommendation for Nancy Wheeler fans who think the Hawkins gang should heed the eldest daughter more often. Twenty-five-year-old Calla becomes guardian to her youngest brother, 16-year-old brother Jamie, and finds herself tormented by nightmares of her two brothers dying. When the siblings are forced to flee and take refuge in a remote cabin, Calla’s supernatural nightmares begin to come true.

‘The Sacrifice Box’ by Martin Stewart

"The Sacrifice Box" by Martin Stewart

It’s no Castle Byers, but there is something secret hidden in the woods in “The Sacrifice Box.” This YA mystery follows five friends who discover a mysterious stone box in the woods in the summer of 1982. They lock childhood memorabilia in it and establish strict rules for returning to it. Four years later, a series of terrifying supernatural events prove someone broke those rules.

‘Middle of the Night’ by Riley Sager

"Middle of the Night" by Riley Sager

Reminiscent of Will and Mike in “Stranger Things,” “Middle of the Night” opens on a backyard tent sleepover with best friends Billy and Ethan. When they awake, Billy is missing. Ethan’s still haunted by it 30 years later, when strange shadows roam in the cul-de-sac and backyard of his childhood home.

‘The Power’ by Naomi Alderman

"The Power" by Naomi Alderman

The world of “The Power” is recognizable until it isn’t – a new power emerges and teenage girls are the only ones who can harness it, afflicting pain and even death on others. This story of dramatic societal reset is perfect for anyone whose favorite “Stranger Things” character is Eleven.

‘Hidden Pictures’ by Jason Rekulak

"Hidden Pictures" by Jason Rekulak

“Hidden Pictures” follows Mallory, a woman fresh out of rehab, as she takes up a babysitting gig for a sweet and shy 5-year-old with whom she quickly bonds. The kid has an affinity for sketching, but then one day his drawings turn sinister and paranormal – leaving Mallory to believe he somehow has a glimpse into an unsolved murder.

Need a really good read?: Best books of 2025, ranked

Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Books like 'Stranger Things'

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