10 Shows Like Yellowjackets Full of Secrets and Survival

We all have that go-to genre we IMMEDIATELY scroll down to whenever we hop on streaming services. Some like coastal thrills and unhinged drama like Outer Banks, while others like shows like Dexter—dark, mysterious, and a little morally ambiguous. But what if you could have both genres at once? 

Think: the perfect blend of psychological horror and coming-of-age teen angst. Sounds pretty perfect, right? We thought so, too, which is why we’re OBSESSED with Yellowjackets. The complex relationships, relatable themes, and, of course, that nod to ‘90s nostalgia—we can’t get enough. 

Plus, it’s not just a compelling story about survival—it’s a look into what happens when people are pushed to their absolute limits. Which, BTW, if the idea of transformation under pressure intrigues you? “The Miracle Morning: Hal Elrod on Morning Routines, Affirmations, & Mindset Shifts” from The Bossticks talks all about it. Totally different vibes, obviously, but still a real, raw look into survival.

If you’ve already binged the entire series, though, we know you’re looking for more. So today, we’re covering all of the best shows just like Yellowjackets. We’ll give you short and sweet synopses, explain how they have similar vibes, and tell you why each TV series deserves a spot in your binge-worthy lineup. 

10 Shows Like Yellowjackets Full of Secrets and Survival

There’s a LOT packed into Yellowjackets, which is what makes it so addictive! At first, you think it’s just a show about a group of young people who get stranded after a plane crash.

But underneath? It dives into trauma, social norms, and, honestly, the power of female friendship. Not only is it mentally and emotionally action-packed, but it also makes life-and-death situations somehow feel as emotionally gutting as thrilling. It also makes us appreciate “How to Release Trauma Trapped in Your Body” from Dear Gabby THAT much more.

Before we head straight into our list of recs, we have to talk about what Yellowjackets is all about. Whether you consider yourself a Melanie Lynskey super-fan or just interested in psychological dramas, understanding the vibe is essential. 

What Is the Show Yellowjackets About?

Yellowjackets is a psychological horror drama that follows a high school girls’ soccer team after their plane crashes on the way to a national tournament. One minute, they were traveling from New Jersey to Seattle, and the next, they were stranded in the Canadian wilderness. And this wasn’t an immediate rescue kind of a thing—this team was stranded for 19 months. 

Here’s what really had fans hooked, though: the series flips between two timelines. The first is set in 1996, when the plane crash actually took place. The second timeline is set decades later, where we see the now-adult survivors try to navigate the emotional baggage of what they experienced.

As you can imagine, things get dark. We don’t mean stories of emotional neglect and fawning as a trauma response—though those are prominent themes, too. We mean things like extreme survival tactics, deadly rivalries, and psychological breakdowns. Essentially, if you’ve ever wondered how far people will go to survive, Yellowjackets is the perfect example.

On a lighter note! The writing is sharp, and the dual timelines are intriguing AF. Watching each episode blurs the lines between “How could they do this?” and “Wait… what would I do in this situation?” Plus, the ensemble cast is to DIE for (pun not intended). We get Christina Ricci, Juliette Lewis, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown—need we go on?

And, like we said, it’s not just a survival story. It’s a raw look into how societal structures impact survival, the complexity of building a community, and what that level of pressure may cause a person to do… or not do. 

Is the Show Yellowjackets Based on a True Story?

So, not exactly, and we’ll tell you why people get a little confused sometimes. 

Is Yellowjackets based on one specific true story? No. But is it inspired by real-life events (and a classic novel)? Yes! The series pulls inspo from the 1972 plane crash involving a Uruguayan rugby team, and the classic novel by William Golding, Lord of the Flies.

Both infamous survival tales explore themes of morality, power struggles, and societal structures. Sound familiar? Plus, creators of Yellowstone, Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, wanted to explore what happens after survival, and how that kind of trauma doesn’t just disappear. Essentially, it’s what “The Spiritual Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything: Biet Simkin on Grief, Addiction, and Healing” from Treated with Dr. Sara discusses. 

While Yellowstone isn’t a direct retelling, it does have a huge emphasis on, “Whoa, this can actually happen,”—and has! Now that we’ve given you a TOTAL synopsis, we’ll give you what you came for—what to watch if you like Yellowjackets.

What to Watch If You Like Yellowjackets

Lost

Where to watch: Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Let’s be real, TV shows about plane crashes just feel sooo… addictive. They have huge “can’t look away” energy, and our eyes are glued to the screen for every SECOND of it. That said, Lost is yet another must-watch post-plane-crash survival series. 

After a plane crashes on a mysterious South Pacific island, passengers are in total chaos. (Reasonably so.) They’re not just fighting to survive, though—there’s a ton of creepy, confusing, and supernatural phenomena they have to figure out. With interconnected pasts, non-linear timelines, and nerve-wracking suspense, this is definitely a must-watch.

The Wilds

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

For Yellowjackets fans, The Wilds is essentially like its older, equally chaotic sister. A group of teenage girls become stranded on a remote island island after, you guessed it, their plane crashed. But there’s something… different about the way this crash occurred. (No spoilers here!)

Throughout the show, we see three timelines: the girls’ lives before the plane crash, after the plane crash, and after their rescue. It may seem a little chaotic, but think of it this way: you find out a new secret in every. single. episode. Alliances form, friendships fracture, and EVERYTHING feels super high-stakes—just like with Yellowjackets.

Stranger Things

Where to watch: Netflix

Okay, hear us out. We get it, Strangers Things is about a small town, a group of teens, and a supernatural monster. Or should we say, monsters? There’s a lot going on. Under the surface, though, this series has TOTAL Yellowjackets vibes. 

The nostalgia? Check. Trauma that shapes the entirety of each characters’ life? Check. A strong emphasis on companionship and cooperation? Check. One group is running from Venca; the other, from the dangers of the elements, but they all want the same thing… Freedom! Trust us on this, you won’t be disappointed. 

Also, not totally about Stranger Things, but this episode of The Toast DOES talk about Millie Bobby Brown. Soo, naturally, we’re tuned in. 

Cruel Summer

Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

If you haven’t heard of Cruel Summer (the psychological thriller, not the iconic Taylor Swift song), then lock in. 

This series is a slow-burn of teen toxicity, trust issues, and timeline twists. After queen bee Kate Wallis mysteriously disappeared in Season 1, Jeanette Turner (the not-so-popular enemy) started looking a littlleeeee suspicious. She took Kate’s social status, friends, boyfriend—she got it all. 

But, plot twist! Kate comes back, and she’s pissed. Not just like “you stole my life” pissed, but more like “You knew where I was and didn’t report it.” Yeah, serious sh*t. Just like with Yellowjackets, you’ll constantly be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out the truth.

The Last of Us

Where to watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

Teen drama? No. Yellowjackets-worthy survival stakes? Absolutely. The Last of Us drops us into a post-apocalyptic world 20 years after a fungal pandemic wiped out most of humanity. The only hope? Ellie, a teenage girl who’s somehow just immune to this brain-eating parasite. Oh, and Joel—a smuggler-turned-reluctant hero. 

The duo fights for survival and mutual trust in a world that’s quite literally fallen apart. Like Yellowjackets, this series scratches that same itch of seeing what people will do when they’re pushed to their limits.

Sharp Objects

Where to watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video

POV: You’re a mediocre reporter whose editor sends you back to your hometown to investigate the unsolved murder of two girls, hoping it’ll finally be your big break. Except now you just have to confront your own past, complicated relationships, and unaddressed trauma. And, worst of all, you haven’t listened to “Healing the Connection Wound” from Everything is the Best yet.

Yeah, this is exactly what happened to Camille Preaker in Sharp Objects. It feels like the adult-friendly version of Yellowjackets, full of troubled history, mental health, and a whooole lot of suspense. 

Also, it’s a good time to mention that this series is also based off of a Gillian Flynn novel by the same name! We talk all about it in our post, “Books Like Gone Girl.”

Dead of Summer

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

It’s 1989, and the counselors at Camp Stillwater are gearing up for a summer full of fun and campfire stories. Sounds like the perfect start to a wholesome, feel-good series, right? Wrong. When a dark presence starts haunting the campgrounds, the stories turn real—fast. 

There’s just something about that “we’re all in this together” mentality that brings out the WORST in people. And, sure, Yellowjackets is more plane-crash-survival and Dead of Summer is more haunted-summer camp. However, both series blend supernatural horror with coming-of-age angst that pulls us right in. 

Speaking of ghost stories, you HAVE to tune into “Pumpkin Spice, Possessions, and Filipino Spirits” from DaBaddest Radio. Bretman Rock is the only person who can make us laugh and get chills in one single episode.

Twin Peaks

Where to watch: Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

If Yellowjackets was made in the ‘90s with a sprinkle of Lynchian suspense, it would be Twin Peaks. It begins with Dale Cooper, an FBI agent who’s a little too invested in the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer. Cooper wants to believe the best of this quiet, peaceful small town. 

That’s until the investigation begins to unfold, and he realizes that the town is a lot darker than anyone knew. But just like Yellowjackets, this series has the same small town, big secrets, and strange cultish energy. It feels like a more intense version of “Hometown Scandals” from What We Said. Every character feels like they’re hiding something, but you never really know what.

Class of ‘07

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Imagine you attend your high school reunion, an apocalyptic-level tidal wave floods the world, and now you’re stranded together. Talk about a nightmare. Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to the group of women in Class of ‘07.  It feels like “Vanderpump’s Calls, RHOC Cameos, & the Bravocon Cockblock” from Scheananigans with a hint of survival.

Instead of trying to survive the end of the world, the group also has to survive their unresolved high school drama. With a nod to Yellowjackets, fans can appreciate how the series explores the way secrets don’t always stay secrets. However, it’s also super funny, equally as deep, and naturally nostalgic.

Station Eleven

Where to watch: HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

If The Last of Us was mushed together with Yellowjackets, we’d expect it to be Station Eleven. This post-apocalyptic drama follows survivors as they piece their lives back together after a global pandemic.

But, instead of monsters or gore, it’s artistic, nostalgic, and has constant “what’s been lost” energy. Like Yellowjackets, this series explores survival, the aftermath of a disaster, and what cult-like mentality is actually capable of. 

Fortunately, now, we have throwback episodes like “Hormone Balance, COVID-19 Defense, & Longevity Diets” from The Bossticks. But back then? Yeah, they were on their own.

Yellowjackets isn’t the ONLY psychological horror survival drama—binge-watch these recs, too!

It’s no secret that Yellowjackets is top-tier in terms of psychological horror and survival drama. Between the jaw-dropping twists and raw depiction of survival, it’s one of those shows that you seriously can’t not click “Next Episode” on. But, as good as it is, there are TONS of other series that capture that same vibe. So, what’re you waiting for? Grab your “In Your Dreams” bundle and order takeout—you’ve got shows to watch.

If you liked this roundup, then head to the Dear Media blog! We find ALL the similar recommendations for your favorite shows, so you don’t have to! That’s not all we do, though. We also cover everything from health and wellness to what’s trending in pop culture. Trust us, you won’t want to miss a thing.