Though released back in 1990,Twin Peaksremains a cult classic TV series, and though its unique ambiance and plot is hard to replicate, the following series come as close as it gets to emulating the beloved show.Twin Peaksisa surrealist mystery horror serieswhich centers on the shocking murder of small-town teen, Laura Palmer.Following the crime, quirky FBI agent, Dale Cooper, arrives on the scene, hoping to figure out who killed Laura. It turns out to be a much stranger and scarier crime than anyone could have imagined.
Twin Peaksis a difficult show to find follow-ups for because it has such a distinct atmosphere and story. David Lynch, who created the series, imbuedTwin Peakswith uncanny details that make the viewer feel like they are part of the mystery itself. To say the least,Twin Peaksis far from your average commercial TV show.However, that makes it all the more important that viewers can find other series that present a similar vibe. Luckily, there are a number of projects that share at least a fraction ofTwin Peaks’special energy.
A go-to series for those who enjoy mysteries isThe X-Files.Released just a few years afterTwin Peaks,this series followsFBI agents Scully and Mulder as they try to solve inexplicable and out-of-this-world cases. While Mulder is a believer in all things paranormal, Scully is a doctor and a skeptic who must try to make sense of Mulder’s unusual findings. Over the course of 11 seasons, the two must come to terms with what is really out in the world.
10 Biggest Similarities Between Twin Peaks & The X-Files
The comparisons between Twin Peaks and The X-Files have existed for years, thanks in part to the biggest similarities between the two TV series.
AlthoughThe X-Filesis a bit more procedural thanTwin Peaks,the two shows share a love for the weird and unexplained. Arguably,The X-Files’form benefits it, as the show presents stories like the Laura Palmer case in a much quicker form, with a new crime every episode. On top of that,The X-Filescomes with an intriguingrelationship between Scully and Mulder. Overall,The X-Filesis a sci-fi show that audiences should not overlook.
Another show that never tries to be “normal,” isThe Leftovers.Based on a novel by Tom Perrotta,this series tells the story of “The Sudden Departure,” wherein 140 million people disappearedoff the face of the planet. Three years later, society is still trying to regain its bearings with great difficulty. Individuals have begun joining a dangerous cult. All the while, a local police chief tries to keep his town and his family together.
Though a different kind of weird,The Leftoversshould definitely be strange enoughforTwin Peakslovers. Right off the bat, the show presents an intriguing premise that becomes more and more captivating the longer it goes on. Plus, likeTwin Peaks,The Leftoversis all about small towns and the people in them. Just like in the fictional Twin Peaks,The Leftoverssees regular people torn apart by the unexplainable.
A creative Netflix show that has gotten a lot of attention, and for good reason, isDark.This German sci-fi series focuses on a small town where two children suddenly go missing. As a result,four families begin to unravel and secrets are revealed. These secrets are not only shocking for residents, but they also defy space and time. Suddenly, the story is not just about one family or four, but about multiple generations of this town’s citizens.
Once again,Darkpresents a different form of supernatural fromTwin Peaks,but audiences will still be just as invested.Darkhas an edgy atmosphere that makes it addicting to watch, and every reveal will leave audiences at the edge of their seats. Plus, one particular parallel between the shows is the presence of dense forests and bleak small town views. Those who loveTwin Peakswill feel like they are in an alternate dimension of the series when they pick upDark.
One series that may not come to mind when considering shows likeTwin PeaksisFargo.Thisfive-season crime seriesis a continuation of the 1996 movie of the same name, andfollows a new cast every season, who get themselves into criminal schemes and violent situations.Fargohas been set over various different decades and has included stars such as Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Ewan McGregor, and Chris Rock.
Fargomay not have the paranormal angle thatTwin Peaksdoes, but it comes as close as any other show to replicatingTwin Peaks’unique ambiance.
Fargomay not have the paranormal angle thatTwin Peaksdoes, but it comes as close as any other show to replicatingTwin Peaks’unique ambiance. Just likeTwin Peaks,Fargo’ssmall towns are almost characters in and of themselves. Furthermore,the actual characters have the same dark yet quirky personalities that are so common inTwin Peaks.Just about anyone can find a character to relate to inFargo,and this makes it a particularly strong follow-up.
A series that is a perfect companion toTwin Peaks,though it doesn’t get much praise anymore, isNorthern Exposure.In this series,Dr. Joel Fleischman is assigned to work in a rural Alaska townto pay for his student loans. Although Joel initially resents being in such an isolated and strange town, he eventually learns to love his odd neighbors and starts to believe in the town itself.
A Beloved ‘90s TV Show Is Streaming For The First Time Ever
A beloved 1990s TV show gets quietly uploaded to a streaming service for the first time ever, following many years of being stuck in limbo.
Northern Exposurecompares well toTwin Peaksbecauseit is yet another 1990s drama that has been somewhat forgotten by audiences. Though the show has a striking 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it has been buried by time and other TV shows. However, likeTwin Peaks,it has its supporters, and for good reason.Northern Exposureis the epitome of small town oddity, and rather than leaning towardsTwin Peaks’darkness, it showcases a really big heart.
