Dream A Little Dream Of Me
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 Kaos.
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!
Neverwhere
Similarities – Fantastical Worlds & Characters
Much like The Sandman’s various worlds of contrasting fortunes above and below, so too does Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere. This urban fantasy series is set in “London Below”, a magical realm coexisting with the more familiar London we know. This is referred to as “London Above.”
The story centers on Richard Mayhew, a Scottish man living in London. When he encounters an injured girl called Door, he decides to help her. Only, he inexplicably ceases to exist on Earth and becomes real only to those in “London Below.”
To give much more away about the story would be a disservice, but the series does a great job adapting what’s otherwise one of Gaiman’s best novels.
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 Kaos.
You can read our thoughts on Legion in our full season reviews here!
Blood of Zeus
Similarities – Fantasy & Greek Mythology
When it comes to world-building, Blood Of Zeus takes the foundational work of Greek mythology and distorts it to produce something both instantly recognizable and wholly original too.
There’s some distinct changes to certain historical figures but the main concept remains the same. The delicious political drama with the Gods consumes much of the story, essentially acting as the catalyst to what comes to pass across the season.
The first couple of episodes serve as expository-heavy introductions to this world. In this alt-history, a demonic army has risen and it’s up to Alexia and her armies to thwart their threat. It soon becomes clear though that young Heron more than holds his own in this fight, especially when a demon rocks up in town.
Predictably, Heron finds himself thrust into an epic fight between both sides that eventually sees the Gods interfere and get involved. Toward the end, all hell breaks loose as fantasy clashes with the supernatural, culminating in a couple of action-packed episodes to see this finale off.
You can read our thoughts on Blood Of Zeus in our full season review 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!
Preacher
Similarities – Violence & Characters
Based on the comic book series of the same name, Preacher is a well written, bloody, violent romp that’s certainly worth checking out. The basic premise revolves around a preacher enlisting the help of a vampire and his ex to find God.
Only, the story goes so much deeper than that and across the four seasons, really comes into its own. I won’t spoil anything here but fans of The Boys will absolutely be taken with both the characters and the violence.
Ragnarok
Similarities – Supernatural & Adventure
In a Norwegian town plagued by environmental pollution, a young boy named Magne discovers he is the reincarnation of the Norse god Thor. As the chosen one, he must embrace his supernatural abilities and confront powerful adversaries to save his hometown and the world from impending doom.
Across 3 seasons, the show does well to lean into its premise of including Norse myths and legends, with a pretty decent modern spin on proceedings.
Although the show does have a conclusion, the finale is considered to be pretty bad so do bear that one in mind!
The Sandman
Similarities – Myths, Legends & Drama
The Sandman refers to the King of Dreams himself, Dream. He goes by many names, including Morpheus, Lord of Dreaming etc. and appears as an anthropomorphic personification of dreams. The story begin with Dream captured and held prisoner by an occult for 70 years. Unfortunately in doing so, many people fall victim to a sleeping virus and can’t wake up.
When Dream does inevitably escape, he sets out to get his possessions back, avenging himself against his captors and rebuilding his Kingdom. But a lot has changed in 70 years – can Dream change right along with it? Or is he destined to fall prey to the passing of time and be left behind?
With a unique style and some really solid characterisation, The Sandman is well worth your time.
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.
So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished with Kaos on Netflix.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!