10 Best TV Shows Like ‘The Sandman'
The Sandman is the latest comic adaptation on Netflix, taking Gaiman's work and making character changes while (mostly) sticking to the source material of the graphic novels.
If you've finished watching this and are looking for alternate shows, fret not! We've combed through the archives and saved you the hassle of having to try and find something similar with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing.
To keep things simple for skim-readers we've added what similarities these have.
Of course for all the shows we've reviewed, we've also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it's something you want to invest your time with.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you've finished streaming The Sandman.
American Gods
Similarities – Worldbuilding & Mythology
American Gods depicts a world where human and God live side by side. Hiding in plain sight, a war is brewing between the new Gods of technology and media against the conventional Gods of old.
At the centre of this hedonist trip lies Shadow Moon, a man fresh out of jail and ready to start a new life after the death of his wife. That same wife, it's worth noting, that cheated on Shadow with his best friend during the time he was incarcerated.
When a mysterious stranger called Wednesday recruits Shadow as his bodyguard, what ensues is a hunt across America to recruit Old Gods for the upcoming battle against the New Gods. With multiple showrunners, ideas and visual flair, American Gods is definitely the rockiest ride on the list but has a uniqueness that many should take to nonetheless.
You can read our thoughts on American Gods in our full season review here!
Penny Dreadful
Similarities – Eclectic Characters & Mythology
Set in Victoria London, Penny Dreadful combines blood-soaked horror and mystery beautifully into one atmospheric series. The story essentially sees explorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, scientist Victor Frankenstein and medium Vanessa Ives uniting to combat supernatural threats together.
It's a simple enough premise but where this show excels is in its storytelling and acting. Everything about Penny Dreadful oozes charisma and despite a slightly slow start during season 1, it quickly grows into a real powerhouse on the horror circuit.
It's beautifully produced too, with some lavishly dressed sets and some well-rounded characters. This one is well worth checking out.
Legion
Similarities – Visuals & Mind-Bending Story
Legion is a challenging sci-fi series that exists somewhere within the weird space of the X-Men universe. It's also one of the more unusual and visually stunning shows you're likely to see in quite some time.
The show revolves around a super mutant named David Haller. This troubled young man spends his time institutionalized after being diagnosed as schizophrenic.
What follows is an unforgettable journey that makes Legion one of the better shows to grace the small screen. It also ends with a decent conclusion too, making it a must-watch for fans of The Sandman.
You can read our thoughts on Legion in our full season reviews here!
Good Omens
Similarities – Gods & Afterlife
Terry Pratchett books have a very distinct humour that's sometimes hard to translate onto the big or small screen. Thankfully Amazon Studios rolled up its sleeves and opened its chequebook back in 2019 to deliver a very funny, quirky drama in Good Omens.
With a tasteful amount of religious humour and a story that builds to a climactic showdown at the end, Good Omens blends a mythological story involving Gods and Christianity around some trademark Pratchett humour. Oh, and it also features a pretty stacked cast too!
While tonally different to other shows on this list, the compelling story should be enough to keep you sticking around for more.
You can read our thoughts on Good Omens in our full season reviews here!
Tomorrow
Similarities – Death & Introspective Storytelling
Tomorrow is a supernatural drama with a surprisingly grounded and emotional core. This K-drama follows a team of Grim Reapers but instead of collecting the dead, they're tasked with saving the living — specifically, people on the brink of suicide. Working for the underworld's Crisis Management Team, their mission is to intervene just before it's too late.
Each episode focuses on a different individual with their own personal demons — whether that's guilt, trauma, societal pressure, or unbearable loss. The structure leans episodic, with a new case introduced each week. There is a larger arc that ties everything together though, exploring past lives and hidden pain of the main cast.
While it is a bit rough around the edges at times, it's also a heartfelt, conceptually strong, and often quietly powerful drama – especially when it leans into its core message. Life, even when messy and painful, is still worth fighting for.
Death Parade
Similarities – Divided Worlds & Themes of Existence
What happens when you die? It's a question many of us have had over the years. It's also something that forms the foundation for Death Parade's story.
The world here depicts that after death, humans go to either heaven or hell. Only, some people arrive at the Quindecim instead, a bar attended to by the mysterious white-haired Decim. This guy is an Arbiter; an emotionless puppet who judges human souls in the afterlife.
With some intriguing ideas, Death Parade is a short but thought provoking series touching on a pretty compelling idea.
Carnivàle
Similarities – Mystery & Themes
Carnivàle is a complex and visually stunning show that blends elements of historical fiction, religion, and the supernatural together. The story is set during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, following two seemingly disparate groups of people: the carnies of a travelling carnival and a preacher's congregation in California.
The central narrative revolves around two primary characters: Ben Hawkins, a young man with strange healing powers who becomes part of the carnival, and Brother Justin Crowe, a charismatic preacher who develops a dangerous and manipulative ability. The series teases an ultimate confrontation between these two characters, which is coined with a struggle between good and evil.
Carnivàle boasts a complex and deeply layered narrative. It delves into topics such as faith, destiny, and the nature of good and evil. This is a slow burn narrative but immensely rewarding for those who invest the time in it.
Kaos
Similarities – Gods & Villains
Kaos is bold, bizarre, and darkly hilarious — a modern, mythological fever dream that reimagines Greek gods as dysfunctional immortals wrapped in existential dread and petty squabbles. It's loud, stylish, and unapologetically weird, with Jeff Goldblum fronting this all-star cast with a mix of satire and fantasy, woven into one chaotic tapestry.
The show's central figure is Zeus, a paranoid and unstable God who fears a prophecy that threatens to upend his rule. Hera is cold and calculating while Hades runs a bureaucratic underworld. Circling this Godly feud are mere mortals whose fates are being toyed with like chess pieces.
The show swings big with visually bold choices, cinematic flair and a rebellious edge that feels fresh, even if the mythology it draws from is ancient. While the cancellation hurts (and leaves things frustratingly unresolved), what is here is still worth the ride.
Mushishi
Similarities – Thought Provoking Storytelling
Mushishi is a wonderful little anime in quiet storytelling. Each episode follows Ginko, a wandering 'Mushi Master' who encounters strange, spirit-like beings called mushi. These are lifeforms that exist somewhere between nature and the supernatural. They're not evil nor are they good.
The beauty of Mushishi lies in its stillness. There are no big battles and no world-ending stakes. Instead, this show is about understanding people, pain, and the unseen forces that shape us. The show is episodic in nature, and each story unfolds like a fable, often ending on a note of melancholy, awe, or quiet reflection.
This is one of those rare shows that feels timeless. It doesn't rely on plot twists or spectacle, but on emotion, mood, and the mystery of the natural world instead. If you're looking for something that lingers long after the credits roll, Mushishi delivers in spades.
Undone
Similarities – Mind-Bending Visuals & Storyline
Undone is a profoundly clever animated series. There's some big ideas and themes discussed, wrapped up with solid characterization and a consistently progressive plot.
The story revolves around Alma. Through her narration we learn about her average life and her average family, all living in an average neighbourhood. After being involved in a car accident and awakening in hospital following a coma, Alma learns she has new powers that allow her to manipulate time.
While it's the mystery that keeps things moving at a steady pace, beyond that the series works much better when you view it as Alma trying to find purpose in life. Undone places a pretty big weight on the main character's shoulders and this translates into some wonderful characterization and intriguing relationships that develop over time.
It may be one of the more unique choices on the list, but it's certainly an animation worth checking out nonetheless.
You can read our thoughts on Undone in our full season review here!
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you're finished with The Sandman on Netflix.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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Earlier that year, he'd also been arrested on suspicion of child cruelty after allegedly getting into a drunken fight with his teenage son after her reportedly caught him smoking marijuana. The son was not named, and authorities ultimately declined to prosecute the case, citing insufficient evidence. Sources close to Madsen told the Daily Mail that he was sober at the time of his death, but was suffering from various health issues after years of addiction to alcohol, drugs, and painkillers. His attorney Perry Wander, who has represented the star for 20 years, said the icon had 'many struggles' in an interview with the Daily Mail. 'I just spoke to Michael two days ago,' said Wander. 'I knew he was not well.' 'Michael was suffering from the effects of alcoholism. He had multiple stints in and out of rehab. He struggled to maintain his sobriety. He was not happy about his life.' Wander claimed Madsen's health woes were exacerbated by his protracted legal battle with DeAnna, which saw the pair fighting over child support and other finances. 'I blame her for putting in the screws over his last years of life,' Wander said, alleging the legal battle, which saw his passport be 'maliciously revoked', impacted his ability to travel and work abroad. 'Michael lived a life of regrets - those regrets being his two marriages,' he added. Other sources said Madsen was apparently in a good frame of mind and voiced excitement about some of his upcoming projects before his shock passing. He was proud to still be a working actor, said one source. Madsen is best known for his roles in the Quentin Tarantino films Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He was originally lined up to play John Travolta's role in Tarantino's cult-classic Pulp Fiction, though he dropped out to star in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp instead - a decision he said he later came to profoundly regret. Madsen's other notable works include appearances in Donnie Brasco, Thelma & Louise, and Die Another Day. At the time of his death, he was working on a memoir, Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, which is due to be released next year. Madsen was also attached to numerous other unreleased projects, his managers, Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, and publicist Liz Rodriguez said in a statement. 'In the last two years, Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films 'Resurrection Road,' 'Concessions' and 'Cookbook for Southern Housewives,' and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,' read the statement. 'Michael Madsen was one of Hollywood's most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.' His sister, Virginia Madsen, also penned a lengthy tribute, paying homage to a man she described as 'half legend, half lullaby.' 'My brother Michael has left the stage. He was thunder and velvet. Mischief wrapped in tenderness. A poet disguised as an outlaw. A father, a son, a brother — etched in contradiction, tempered by love that left its mark. 'We're not mourning a public figure. We're not mourning a myth — but flesh and blood and ferocious heart. Who stormed through life loud, brilliant, and half on fire. Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby. 'I'll miss our inside jokes, the sudden laughter, the sound of him. I'll miss the boy he was before the legend; I miss my big brother. Thank you to everyone reaching out with love and memory. In time, we'll share how we plan to celebrate his life — but for now, we stay close, and let the silence say what words can't.'
