7 Shows Like Archive 81 You Must See (2022) – ‘Archive 81,’ a Netflix original, depicts a strange narrative about ghostly VHS tapes. When archivist Dan Turner is tasked with repairing said recordings, which were rescued from the strangely burned down Visser building, he begins on a terrible path. Dan gets drawn deeper and deeper into Melody Pendras’ supernatural studies as he watches the recordings.
The show is based on the same-named podcast and follows a non-linear narrative set across many timelines. The major protagonists become increasingly entangled in the otherworldly quagmire, pushing them to the brink of insanity. If you’re looking for more scary shows, we’ve compiled a selection of some true spine tinglers for you! Most of these shows related to ‘Archive 81’ are available on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
Servant (2019-)
‘Servant’ starts off with a grim concept that only gets darker. A affluent couple is trying to cope with the death of their young boy and resorts to using a lifelike rebirth doll to help them cope. Strange happenings occur when they hire a young nanny to care for their “son.” The primary pair, trapped in a vicious cycle of sadness and terror, embarks on a dark path that puts them to the test. The horrors here, like in ‘Archive 81,’ are subtle yet foreboding, creating a disturbing mood that will linger long after you’ve finished watching the show.
The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
This miniseries is the second installment of Mike Flanagan’s anthology series ‘The Haunting,’ and is set in the titular home in the United Kingdom. When a young au pair from America arrives to care for the children who live in the manor, she is plagued by weird happenings and concludes that the property is haunted. ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor,’ despite leaning a little more on jump scares, creates an impressively scary world for its characters to inhabit. As with ‘Archive 81,’ the non-linear narrative of this series adds to the eerie and mysterious nature of the plot.
The Order (2019-2020)
When college student Jack Morton joins a mysterious organization steeped in magic, he gets more than he bargained for. As he progressively peels back the layers of the organization, Jack discovers a dark world of family secrets. Viewers who appreciated Melody Pendras’ strange research into the Visser building’s dark secrets will enjoy Jack’s adventure into the supernatural world of the hidden order. This episode, like ‘Archive 81,’ depicts an ancient struggle in which the protagonist accidentally becomes involved.
Them (2021-)
‘Them’ portrays a Black family who moves into an all-white neighborhood in the 1950s. Their new abode, however, is quickly besieged by evil powers, both human and supernatural. In an uncommon twist on the horror genre, the family’s racist neighbors prove to be as terrifying as the dark forces that surround them. The comedy also includes numerous layers of social criticism for the more academically minded, making for an intriguing watch. If Melody’s neighbors in the Visser building were frightening, wait until you see the Emory family’s next-door horrors.
Midnight Mass (2021)
‘Midnight Mass’ takes a simple concept and transforms it into a very frightening film experience. The presence of an eager, young priest gives new hope to a small, isolated village on an island. However, Father Paul Hill appears to have his own mystery purpose and gradually sows strife in the group.
The slow buildup is quite frightening, and seeing a town slowly ripped apart by odd forces and an unknown man adds to the ominousness of the situation. ‘Midnight Mass,’ like ‘Archive 81,’ creates a rich world that audiences can immerse themselves in and that will stay with you long after the miniseries has ended.
Stranger Things (2016-)
‘Stranger Things,’ created by the Duffer Brothers, is one of Netflix’s most well-known titles, and for good reason! The plot is set in a tiny village in the 1980s and follows the advent of enigmatic entities from a location known simply as the Upside Down. Much of the narrative in ‘Archive 81’ is recounted through videotapes, whereas ‘Stranger Things’ is portrayed primarily through the eyes of children, adding a charming touch to the frightening proceedings. Furthermore, if you enjoyed the former’s 1990s setting, the latter’s retro 1980s setting will be just up your alley!
Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021-)
‘Brand New Cherry Flavor,’ based on Todd Grimson’s novel of the same name, takes aspiring film maker Lisa Nova on a spectacularly strange adventure. Lisa engages the services of a mystery woman who claims to be a witch in order to exact revenge on a powerful Hollywood producer. The rabbit hole of dark magic that our heroine then descends into will have you questioning your own sanity, not to mention the numerous regurgitated kittens that adorn the delightfully macabre narrative.
Melody Pendras from ‘Archive 81’ is a young filmmaker who unknowingly embarks on a dark path, whereas Lisa Nova plunges headfirst into the otherworldly to retrieve her film. The outcomes in both scenarios are truly terrifying. You have been cautioned.