 |
| Top 12 Shows Like School Spirits You Absolutely Need to Watch. (Photo: Paramount+) |
If School Spirits left you staring at the screen wondering what really happened to Maddie Nears, you’re not alone. The Paramount+ horror-drama follows Maddie, a teen stuck in limbo at Split River High after her mysterious disappearance, navigating the school as a ghost while digging into the truth behind her own likely murder.
It’s teen angst, layered mystery, and supernatural rules all wrapped into one addictive binge. If you’re craving more ghost-led investigations, high school secrets, parallel dimensions, and morally messy teenage drama, here are 12 shows similar to School Spirits that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
If You Loved 'School Spirits', These 12 Series Hit The Same Vibe
1. Dead Boy Detectives (2024–)
This one is probably the closest spiritual cousin. Two teenage ghosts choose not to move on to the afterlife and instead solve supernatural crimes on Earth. The tone blends humour with eerie tension, while the rules of the spirit world feel structured yet unpredictable.
Fans love how it dives deep into ghost logic and emotional backstories, much like Maddie’s struggle to understand her new existence. Some viewers say it’s darker and more comic-book styled, but the investigative vibe is very much there.
2. Dead Like Me (2003–2004)
A cult classic. After an unexpected death, Georgia Lass becomes a grim reaper tasked with guiding souls to the afterlife. It mixes existential themes with sharp humour and coming-of-age awkwardness.
Netizens often praise its philosophical edge, saying it handles life-after-death mechanics with surprising depth. Others find its early-2000s tone slightly dated, but the emotional core still hits.
3. Julie and the Phantoms (2020)
If you preferred the emotional bond between spirits in School Spirits, this musical drama delivers. Julie befriends three teenage ghosts who help her rediscover her passion for music.
It’s lighter in tone but still centres on unfinished business between the living and the dead. Fans are divided — some adore the wholesome energy, others wish it leaned darker — but the supernatural friendship dynamic is strong.
4. Lockwood & Co. (2023)
Teen ghost hunters battling vengeful spirits in a world where the supernatural has gone mainstream. A trio runs their own agency tackling hauntings in a city paralysed by ghost activity.
Viewers appreciate the strong chemistry between leads and the layered lore. Some were gutted by its short run, but many still recommend it for its sharp pacing and eerie atmosphere.
5. The Midnight Club (2022)
Set in a hospice where teens gather at midnight to tell horror stories, this series blends storytelling with genuine supernatural undertones. As mysteries around the building deepen, reality starts bending.
Audiences were split. Some loved its emotional depth and monologue-heavy style. Others wanted more direct scares. But the themes of mortality and hidden truths echo Maddie’s journey.
6. One of Us Is Lying (2021–2022)
Not supernatural, but the murder-mystery teen energy is on point. A detention session ends with one student dead and four suspects left to untangle secrets.
Fans highlight the addictive twists and unreliable perspectives. If you enjoyed the layered suspects and hidden motives in School Spirits, this delivers similar tension without ghosts.
7. Wednesday (2022–)
A gothic mystery set at a supernatural academy. Wednesday Addams investigates a monster-related killing while uncovering secrets tied to her own family.
Viewers rave about its aesthetic and sharp humour. Some debate whether it’s more style than substance, but the school-based mystery and outsider perspective feel very aligned.
8. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2024–)
A determined teen reopens a supposedly solved murder case in her small town. No ghosts here, but the obsessive investigation angle is strong.
Fans say it captures the teenage mindset brilliantly — curiosity, stubbornness, moral conflict. It’s frequently compared to School Spirits for its focus on truth-seeking against public assumptions.
9. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020)
A darker reimagining of Sabrina Spellman’s story. Witchcraft, forbidden knowledge, and teenage identity clashes collide.
Viewers were divided over later seasons, but most agree the early run nailed the eerie tone. Like Maddie, Sabrina juggles dual worlds and constant unseen threats.
10. Locke & Key (2020–2022)
A grieving family moves into a mysterious ancestral home filled with magical keys and a lurking entity.
It leans more fantasy than ghost-limbo, but fans love its family dynamics and layered mythology. Some found pacing uneven, yet the supernatural mystery remains compelling.
11. The OA (2016–2019)
A missing young woman returns home with a new identity and strange abilities. The story unfolds across dimensions and metaphysical ideas.
Online reactions are passionate. Some call it a masterpiece of mystery storytelling, others admit it’s abstract. If you liked the dual-reality tension in School Spirits, this one goes even deeper.
12. Cruel Summer (2021–)
A psychological teen thriller exploring a disappearance from multiple timelines and perspectives. No ghosts, but heavy on secrets and shifting narratives.
Fans praise its structure and unreliable storytelling. Viewers often debate who’s truly innocent, making it perfect for those who loved theorising about Maddie’s fate.
Why Fans Keep Comparing These Shows to School Spirits
Across social media and fan forums, reactions vary. Some viewers want more romance-driven supernatural drama, others prefer the gritty mystery side. There’s also debate about pacing — a portion of the fandom feels teen supernatural series either rush reveals or stretch mysteries too long.
What ties these twelve together is their shared DNA: teen protagonists, unresolved trauma, hidden motives, and worlds where the boundary between life and death is blurred. Whether you’re here for ghost rules, murder boards, or morally grey classmates, there’s something on this list to fill the Maddie-shaped gap.
So now over to you — which one are you starting next? Did we miss a hidden gem that deserves to be on this list?