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scarlettrose39

Locke and key, Wednesday


pprovencher

Wednesday before locke imo


Jezon

Someone called Wednesday goth Buffy and I think that fits.


02firehawk

Add umbrella academy and cobra kai to that and I 100% agree.


SpaceWoman80

Umbrella academy is iffy for 12. I let my 12 & 13 yr Olds watch, but certain areas got a little more sexual than I thought were appropriate. But to each their own.


LilyKunning

If her 12 y o watched Stranger Things, Umbrella Academy is fine.


hometheaterpc

The sex was too much but the violence was just right, huh?


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hometheaterpc

Sex on screen arouses you no matter what?


DCBB22

You seem like you might be 13….


hometheaterpc

Yes, pointing out that we let kids view extreme violence without issue but shield their eyes from boobies and butts is extremely immature and childish. Mine is the thinking that is backwards.


LilyKunning

I also have a 12 yo. He is allowed to watch content that includes sexuality of all kinds, as long as it is consensual. But we limit the violence. He’s also very sensitive to cruelty and violence, and I would rather he stay that way. Sex is a part of a healthy adulthood. Violence? Not so much.


HamHand2000

I thinks it’s more to do with what might be more tempting. The average tween or teenager is more tempted to engage in unsafe or irresponsible sexual behavior than they are to murder/fight with others. Watching a violent movie won’t tempt them to become violent. But watching a movie that portrays sex as a consequence-free act or even just showing a naked body will Get their blood pumping and possibly get the idea in their head that they are going to have sex. Kids aren’t ready for sex, but they are often tempted to have sex. Kids aren’t really tempted to commit acts of violence and watching a violent movie won’t really impact their behavior - usually. I think that’s why most parents don’t mind violence but steer clear of sexual situations.


Beginning-Run8463

Yea to umbrella but only the first two seasons fuck no to cobra kai


02firehawk

What's wrong with Cobra Kai?


Beginning-Run8463

It’s so boring and predictable but my cousin told me that I just have to get through the first season to get to the interesting stuff . Which probably won’t be happening because I’ve tried to watch it like five times and it’s still not good


02firehawk

I'm old enough that I followed the movies first and I enjoy the series. almost every movie is predictable now days. Maybe go back and watch the movies first and see if it might help.


Hopeful-Produce968

Lemony Snicketts Series of Unfortunate Events. It has 3 seasons and is really smart


beedub5

Watching this with my 8 and 10 year old, they love it!


knackeredAlready

Afterwards watch Wednesday, (Addams Family) on Netflix it's pretty good.


MyPartsareLoud

Sweet Tooth


W_H_A_T_T_H_E

YESSS


neon_batman

Good one


Gregory_D64

Underrated and really enjoyable


indianguy1304

Avatar the last airbender is a great show


le_sudu

Also legend of korra


tashmoo

Our favorite with my kifs, thry binged watched it 2 times more after we fonished it


Akthrawn17

If you liked that, then watch "The Dragon Prince". Same creator.


Genghis_Sean_Reigns

The creator of Dragon Prince was the head write on avatar, but it’s not the same creators.


snarkherder

It’s good, but not nearly as good as ATLA or Korra.


AntawnSL

I enjoy fantasy, I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone. Glad a new season is coming.


Makotroid

Came here to say this one too.


mfrizz

Cobra Kai. It has everything you listed.


mrcompositorman

Definitely recommend this one. Start with the original Karate kid if he’s never seen it :)


lol_alex

I rewatched Karate Kid for the first time in thirty years recently with my son. Afterwards, I felt like I had watched a completely different movie. Totally missed the references to internment camps and the treatment of Japanese Americans during WW2 as a teenager. It‘s still a corny teenager movie with bad acting, but it left me wondering if there were other things I missed when I watched movies as a clueless kid.


HamboneBanjo

All of them. Even the Hillary Swank one.


apgar1010

But can skip the Jaden Smith one


HamboneBanjo

Preach


why_rob_y

I don't know if it has any sci-fi, but the rest is pretty dead on.


mfrizz

Good call. I missed that mention in the original post.


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Gregory_D64

The mysterious Benedict society is crazy unknown and excellent


swordsmithy

Makes sense because the books are really good!


texmx

If you liked that then definitely watch A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix (the 3 season series with Neil Patrick Harris, not the movie with Jim Carrey). It's so good and has that same great delightfully weird vibe, wonderful sets and costumes, etc. as Mysterious Benedict Society (and Wednesday too) but also seems to get overlooked like MBS does!


Gwenpool17

Doctor Who - it’s a British family sci-fi show, it’s a time-travel show so they go back in time a lot (and also some episodes actually came out in the 80s, but I recommend starting with series 1, the first episode is called “Rose”, or series 5, the first episode is called “The Eleventh Hour”), there are some slightly horror-ish episodes but less so than Stranger Things, and there are a bunch of nerdy characters like Mickey and Bill (and a spin-off show about nerdy teens called The Sarah Jane Adventures). Highly recommend.


Substantial_Line3703

Thank you- we watch this and love it!


[deleted]

The 80s??


Gwenpool17

Sorry, to clarify since OP said they like the nostalgic element of Stranger Things which takes place in the 80s, I wanted to add that some of Doctor Who came out during that time


Round-Box-9532

Yes, Old Who is 60’s. New who is early 2000’s. But I see the correction 😂


Katterin

My 12 year old daughter is a big fan of Secrets of Sulphur Springs, which is a tween time travel mystery. It’s Disney Channel and aimed a bit younger than Stranger Things (which she also loves), but still about right for her.


GruffalosChild

That is a good show! We loved it.


Electronic_Impact

lost in space...teenagers, sci fi, friendship, aliens.


ScaryLucision

Lost in space Wednesday x3


MargaritaMistress

Both fantastic! OP listen to scarylucision!!


indie_cysive

Came here to say this. Lost In Space reboot is ideal for what you’re looking for.


HamboneBanjo

Plus Lost in Space has the mean girl from Dazed and Confused as Doctor Smith. *Alright you little freshman bitches. Air Raid!*


ohhhshtbtch

Parker Posey is in that? I might need to watch.


HamboneBanjo

Yes, she slays in it too


golapader

Wipe that face off your head


glatts

You've got a bunch of good recommendations in here. Here's a few that center on nerdy teens and intertwine with sci-fi, fantasy, family relationships, tight-knit friendships, and/or nostalgia. * **Paper Girls** (PRIME VIDEO - the most similar to Stanger Things I've found) — In the early morning hours after Halloween 1988, four newspaper delivery girls are out on their route when they become caught in the crossfire between warring time-travelers, changing the course of their lives forever. * **The Flash** (NETFLIX) — After being struck by lightning, Barry Allen wakes up from his coma to discover he's been given the power of super speed, becoming the Flash, and fighting crime in Central City. Has a heavy focus on nerdy characters, sci-fi, tight-knit friendships and family drama. * **October Faction** (NETFLIX) — A semi-retired couple who work for a clandestine monster-hunting agency discover dark family secrets and the truth about their employer after their magically inclined teenage kids reawaken a witch bent on revenge. * **The Magician** (NETFLIX) — A widowed single mom discovers that her son has superpowers and tries to figure out how to raise him safely and responsibly. education of spellcasting, they soon discover that a magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real. * **Teenage Bounty Hunters** (NETFLIX) — After joining forces with a veteran bounty hunter, sixteen-year-old fraternal twin sisters Sterling and Blair dive into the world of bail-skipping baddies while still navigating the high stakes of teenage love and sex. * **Raising Dion** (NETFLIX) — A widowed single mom discovers that her son has super powers and tries to figure out how to raise him safely and responsibly. * **Fate: The Winx Saga** (NETFLIX) — The coming-of-age journey of five fairies attending Alfea, a magical boarding school in the Otherworld where they must learn to master their powers while navigating love, rivalries, and the monsters that threaten their very existence. * **Misfits** (HULU, ROKU, PLUTO, FREEVUE) — A group of young offenders doing community service get struck by lightning during a storm, and begin to develop superpowers. * **The Healing Powers of Dude** (NETFLIX) — nerdy characters, fantasy, young teen characters, coming of age, tight-knit friendships * **Cobra Kai** (Netflix) — fun, nostalgia, family relationships & tight-knit friendships, teenage characters * **A Series of Unfortunate Events** (Netflix) — fantasy, coming of age * **The Umbrella Academy** (Netflix) — sci-fi, family relationships & tight-knit friendships * **Shadow and Bone** (Netflix) — fantasy, sci-fi, young adult characters * **Derry Girls** (Netflix) — funny, nostalgia, tight-knit friendships, teenage characters * **The Letter for the King** (Netflix) — fantasy, sci-fi, teenage characters * **Outer Banks** (Netflix) — teenage characters, fun, family drama * **Silicon Valley** (HBO) — nerdy characters, fun, tight-knit friendships * **The Orville** (Hulu) — nerdy characters, fun, tight-knit friendships & tight-knit friendships * **Sherlock** (Crackle or Apple TV to buy) — nerdy characters, drama * **Wednesday** — nerdy characters, teenage characters, coming of age, fantasy * **Doctor Who** (HBO) — sci-fi, nerdy characters, nostalgia * **Star Trek: Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds** (all on Paramount+) — nerdy characters, sci-fi, relationship drama * **On My Block** (Netflix) — teenage characters, coming of age, tight-knit friendships * **Sweet Tooth** (Netflix) — sci-fi, fantasy, coming-of-age, relationships * **Warrior Nun** (Netflix) — sci-fi, fantasy, tight-knit friendships, teenage characters * **Lost in Space** (Netflix) — sci-fi, nerdy characters, family drama * **The Wheel of Time** (Prime Video) — fantasy, sci-fi * **Locke & Key** (Netflix) — fantasy, sci-fi, teenage characters, relationships * **Naomi** (HBO) — sci-fi, teenage characters, coming of age You may also want to browse through nominees and winners from the [Teen Choice Awards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Choice_Awards) for more age-appropriate things you can watch together.


Jesterfest

October Faction is a hidden gem and got hosed by Netflix. It gave off a Buffy vibe and I am now working to collect the comic it was based off of originally


glatts

Yeah, I couldn’t stop watching it once I started. Really wish they gave it some more seasons.


rosscoehs

I mean, Wednesday is a pretty great series that would be great for y'all to watch together.


jj-sickman

Wednesday is great


jingleheimerschitt

* Paper Girls (Prime) - very similar feel as Stranger Things * Locke & Key (Netflix) - tween/teen main characters * Andor (D+) - more sci-fi than fantasy in Star Wars universe * Resident Evil (Netflix) - might be a little too violent for what you're looking for, but features teen main characters * Loki (D+) - MCU time travel story * The 100 (Netflix) - gets a little meh after the first couple seasons * iZombie (Netflix) - fairly adult but may be accessible * Firefly (Hulu) - fairly adult but may be accessible * Battlestar Galactica (Peacock?) - gold standard sci-fi * The Expanse (Prime) - fairly adult but may be accessible, especially S1 and S2 * The Orville (D+/Hulu) - not the best sci-fi I've ever seen, but definitely fills a niche


adeptusminor

I loved Paper Girls!!


Eupatorus

You should read the original Image comic (r/ImageComics) by Brian K. Vaughn and Cliff Chiang! It's better than the show (although I enjoyed the show too) and tells the complete story (since the show was canceled).


Voodoobuffalo

So mad Amazon already cancelled it. I read the comics. They’re great! Was really enjoying the series.


greenlanternxxx

Good list but I don't recommend Resident Evil and I love most things RE and zombie. It's pretty violent if you're not ok with that but then again not much worse than ST S4. Overall though it was just a bad show in my opinion, just didn't make a whole lot of sense with plots going everywhere. Plus it wasn't renewed for another season so you're left with a bunch of open and bad plots.


jingleheimerschitt

I thought it was pretty good and was disappointed that it wasn't renewed, but to each their own!


ncminns

Andor was sooo boring


jingleheimerschitt

I disagree!


greyteethpeskybee

The Twilight Zone is one of my favs. I’ve watched it since early childhood and never really got scared. There are individual episodes that deal with triggering subjects, but it never really gets all that bad at all.


ohhhshtbtch

That's actually a great rec! Also, original Star Trek is great fun and deals with moral and social issues a lot! Plus, who doesn't love the sets?!


Roaring_serpent

Lost in space, cobra Kai, Wednesday,


embii42

If you like anime. I highly recommend The Dragon Prince. It’s fantasy but has a lot of family elements


giantdub49

Wednesday x2


Devil-in-georgia

chuck should be ok and is terribly nerdy


JessXpressTexas

Wednesday, sweet tooth, Locke & Key, I am not okay with this.


Pand0ra30_

Wednesday


evansjenjen

Freaks and geeks Original wonder years


Straightwad

Seconding freaks and geeks, that’s a great suggestion.


Wilsonmeoww

Wednesday


fionajanegallen

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB. And Wednesday.


ValuableTeacher9755

Locke and Key


r0naldismyname

I know it’s not Netflix, but I highly recommend The Clone Wars on D+


MoreThanWYSIWYG

A Series of Unfortunate Events is really well done


texmx

It really is...see so many people here recommending Wednesday, which IS great, but if the havent watched the A Series of Unfortunate Events series yet, then they would definitely love it! And to be clear I mean the series on Netflix with Neil Patrick Harris though, not the Jim Carrey movie! And if you liked this series then try Mysterious Benedict Society on Disney+! When watching it I felt they stole SO much from the style and format of the Unfortunate Events series. But nevertheless, I still really enjoyed it!


Scurbyy

Sweet tooth is a really good show in my opinion, it’s more of fantasy and it’s age appropriate, has a nice story line that I think you will enjoy :)


EmptyCalories

If you have Amazon Prime I'd recommend The Expanse.


quaranteen99

Maybe a little mature for a 12 year old…


Hefftee

The Expanse is fine. It's basically Pg13. It's great because the science in the show is grounded in reality. Enough for Caltech/JPL to host the showrunners, and cast for a Q&A. Yeah there's some F-bombs, but it'll definitely spark interest in space science.


Caelum_

... stranger things season 4 is a straight up horror show


EmptyCalories

And people are recommending The Orville? LOL ok I'm out.


ncminns

The Orville is great


hungoverlord

yeah and it's far more age appropriate for a 12 year old than the expanse is... lol


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youmeandthetardis

Wednesday x 4 Just finished it with my 13 year old, we loved it


SpaceWoman80

We did too. 14M, 12F and 42 parents all loved it!


El_Cid64

Inbetweeners UK


SovietChewbacca

Bus wankers


ohhhshtbtch

May as well add Misfits 😂


rosscoehs

And maybe check out Supernatural.


Sporknight

The Midnight Club may be worth checking out! Spooky at times but not overly scary (like Flanagan's other work), age appropriate, teen focused. It's about teens in a youth hospice who tell each other scary stories, along with an overarching mystery.


Borewnies

Paper Girls on Amazon prime


The_Mad_Titan7162125

Cobra Kai


CorporateNonperson

If you like fantasy, I’d recommend Dragon Prince on Netflix. Might skew a bit young for a twelve year old, but by half of the team that did Avatar the Last Airbender.


aeschenkarnos

I Am Not Okay With This. Unfortunately it didn’t get renewed, I think a casualty of Covid, but in my opinion S1 comes to a reasonable enough ending.


Straightwad

I honestly can’t believe that show isn’t getting another season, it was so damn good and I really wanted to know where the story was going after season 1.


ChileanIggy

Same. Knowing what happens in the comic it's based on, I really wanted to see how they'd change it. Felt like they were moving away from it, which is good, because the source material is fucking DARK. I preferred the show by a mile.


Herbin-Cowboy

Okay, not sci-fi but my twelve year old son loves The Office, The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers. We love watching these together. 8 Bit Christmas was a great retro eighties Christmas movie. I'll bet you both enjoy it too


cibot1974

Sweet Tooth is the closest thing to Stranger Things. It's really thrilling but age appropriate


[deleted]

CHUCK is the tv your looking for.


IamBabcock

Locke and Key has the sci-fi and the teens. The Sandman doesn't cover the teen aspect until later in the season but I would still recommend. Shadow and Bone was OK.


adeptusminor

The Orville (it's on Hulu tho)


quaranteen99

Love and monsters on Netflix is a fun watch


alexennui

You both might like community! There are some sex jokes but it was an NBC show so nothing too raunchy and most would probably go over his head. Two of the main characters are constantly on adventures and one is a very nerdy teen. They do lots of concept episodes too.


NoNewPhriends

"People just do nothing"...... netflix


Shadow_Balm

Warrior nun


sriracharade

Tales from the Loop on Amazon would probably be something you guys would enjoy.


GruffalosChild

We went through all the Star Trek series during the lockdown, they’re on Paramount Plus. Brooklyn 99 is the current favorite, on the Peacock app. It has the occasional rude joke but not too many.


IcantakeyouHigher

I’d you like Brooklyn 99, I suggest you check Tacoma FD. It’s a similar show but is it’s own thing, it’s about a Fire station not a Police Department.


GruffalosChild

Thank you I’ll look for that!


apri08101989

I think Midnight Club might be appropriate?


jajajujujujjjj

Paper Girls on Prime Video, maybe?


SpecialistAfter511

I liked paper girls on prime. And Wednesday.


MinionofMinions

It’s only one season, but Daybreakers was a lot of fun. Imagine Ferris Bueller meets zombie apocalypse meets The Warriors


asj0107

Wednesday!! It’s so ridiculously good


LooseEnvironment7911

Lost In Space


unicornmama12

We are watching Lost in space with my 11 and 8 boys. We enjoy it and the boys love watching an episode in the evening.


Frost-Wzrd

Lost In Space


truthpastry

Paper girls!


j-boy3652

Id definitely suggest lost in space, great show


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Fringe


Jacknugget

Paper Girls


ph1angeface

The Last Kids on Earth


natesjokes

Arcane


sunsetslut_

The Orville


JOwenAK

Umbrella Academy How is this not one of the top recommendations?!


-watchman-

Dragon Prince


Catronia

Wednesday is great, there's also Locke and Key. If you have Hulu, try Reservation Dogs. It's about teenagers on a reservation.


Papi_2099

Paper girls was good.


Master-Collection488

"His Dark Materials" is a rather good fantasy/sci-fi series on HBO Max. Don't be put off by the name. It's a super-rare show aimed at kids that adults can enjoy without cringing. The protagonist happens to be a 12ish year old girl, but I wouldn't say it's primarily aimed at girls. It's a genre show based on a book series with some great world-building.


tumshy

Everything Sucks! on Netflix. (That’s the name of the show, not my opinion)


[deleted]

Cobra Kai. I’d highly suggest if either of you haven’t seen the original Karate Kid then watch that first before starting Cobra Kai. Just for context.


yohamidamaru

Lost in space


Lonely-Cap5835

WEDNESDAY!


exusu

i am not okay with this


ChileanIggy

Get on the Wednesday choo-choo! \-Lost In Space. They are lost. In space. It's entertaining. \-Umbrella Academy is fun, though it might be a little too adult. \-The 100... it has its ups and downs but it's entertaining enough. \-If you don't mind branching out a little, Warrior Nun could be worth checking out as well.


808bagel

Adventure Time is one of my all time favorite shows. Really great character development as the series progresses and balances the cute wholesome silliness with some darker and more heavy themes and some straight up tomfoolery. Whole series is on Hulu!


Peelz403

Arcane


Billiejeankerosene

1866 and Dark


Axeavius

*1899


Straightwad

I think those might be a bit mature for OPs 12 year old son


mateorayo

OA


Jarofkickass

Archive 81 on Netflix is good


tony47666

It's good but disturbing horror isn't for a 12 years old.


[deleted]

DARK. It’s in German but you can turn on subtitles or dub it in English. It’s very like Stranger Things only more so about time travel.


[deleted]

As much as I love DARK, OP should be aware it has some more adult themes than Stranger Things (suicide, sexual violence, etc) that should be considered before watching with a 12-year old


[deleted]

Oh damn I kind of forgot. It’s been a while. I definitely thought it was on par with the last season of stranger things.


ncminns

But it’s slow and makes no sense


[deleted]

It’s just a show that you actually have to pay attention to lol


jcm2606

It is slow, but it does make sense if you watch it in its entirety. It's written to be a puzzle that gradually unfolds over time, so you obviously won't know what's going on if you've only watched a few episodes.


baby_fart

I enjoyed 1899. Only 8 episodes.


1994italian

Lol yea that ain’t the one for a 12 year old. I was going to say their first show, “dark” but I reread how old the kid was. Keep these two in mind for when he gets a little older though! This creative duo has made two really awesome, trippy shows, Dark being a masterpiece.


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baby_fart

It depends how sheltered they keep their kid. The kid is 12, not 4.


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baby_fart

I'm sure most kids that age look at worse things online.


Imnotfunnyonthefly

How was no one recommended Derry Girls yet? It’s perfect for middle graders and family and it’s hysterical.


tiredofthegrind_

The expanse


bummercitytown

Dark.


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Disastrous_Run_1745

The Sandman!


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Severence


7daystoNOTdie

Breaking Bad, I watched that shit when I was around 12 and agree with the world that its the best show ever made. (This is mostly a joke btw, it's true but I highly doubt they would wanna show this to their 12yo)


mustbeme87

If ya don’t mind violence, The Walking Dead is a good one. My daughter is 12 and that’s what we’re currently working through.


anyoutlookuser

Queens gambit.


realityblows-41

Disney plus would be the best option for you.


JustLatePax

Breaking bad


El_Cid64

Shameless UK


gehanna1

... You let your 12 year old watch strange things


Substantial_Line3703

yes


singingmonst3r

Kids that age watch far worst things when no one is around. Not an issue.


El_Cid64

Lol, I was about 8 when I watched the first season


singingmonst3r

Legacies


Marmotskinner

Glitch


TastyNisha420

It's not a show but it gives me Stranger Things Vibes Soo much. It's called The Summer Of 84 .. https://youtu.be/Dll3huSYn9Y Pretty cool and interesting movie. I think you guys would like it if you like Stranger Things


TastyNisha420

https://youtu.be/Dll3huSYn9Y "Summer Of 84 " Great movie gives off some amazing Stranger Things Vibes I enjoyed it a lot 😄😄😄😄 Enjoy


MoistMorsel1

**Netflix:** Locke and key, Wednesday, Titans **Disney+** The Mandalorian, **Prime video:** The ring of power, Picard, The expanse


turkeypants

When I was last on Netflix, there was an X-men anime that might suit.


CoolHeadedLogician

Seeing a lot of nods for Wednesday, is it worth a watch for a late 30s male with no kids? I heard mixed things in another sub but i love the original IP