11 Mysterious TV Shows Like Wayward Pines
What Series Are Like Wayward Pines?
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, The Village), Wayward Pines tells the story of a secret service agent, who finds himself trapped in a strange town known as Wayward Pines. If you’ve seen Shyamalan's work, you should have seen a big twist coming. But when they finally lift the veil, it's still overwhelming to take it all in. It's a beautifully crafted 10-episode-story with a jaw-dropping twist at the end.
The first season was supposed to be its last, but Fox just ordered a third season. While you wait for another season, let’s take a look at some other shows like “Wayward Pines”.
Update - The show has been canceled now.
Lost
Wayward Pines definitely has a “Lost” vibe to it. Both TV shows open has the exact opening scene. Jack, one of the main characters of “Lost” wakes up in the middle of nowhere after a plane crash, and the opening shot is his eyes opening.
The settings aren’t much different either. “Lost” takes place in an unknown, isolated island where the plane crash survivors struggle to stay alive until they can get some help. There are things that are beyond any explanation. There are ghosts, monsters, sci-fi elements (time travelling) and a lot of crazy drama that keeps you the edge of your seat throughout the whole 6 seasons.
Due to its subtlety, you might feel overwhelmed at times. There are a lot of loose threads, clues and puzzles that you are supposed to make sense of. “Lost” played with almost everything it could – time travel, multi-worlds, alternate realities, paranormal activities, flashbacks and life after death. Some of them feel redundant, only complicating an otherwise riveting plotline. Barring a few flashback episodes, though, everything else is quite watchable.
.“Lost” succeeds where so many other shows like it fail. It makes you care about its characters, and keeps you coming back for more. You’d wanna know what happens to them next. It imposes so many questions on us, and compels us to find answers. Is there another world out there? What happens once we die? How far can you go to save your loved ones? Lost tackles these questions head on.
If you’re looking for some good T shows like Wayward Pines, Lost should be your best bet. With more than 100 episodes in your ‘to-watch’ list, it’s going to hook you up for a good while.
The Prisoner - One of the oldest TV shows like Wayward Pnes
The plot revolves around a secret agent, who decides to retire from his post and go on a holiday. Instead, he is abducted and put in a bizarre village where nothing is what it looks like. All they want to know is why is decided to retire. Can he escape?
The Prisoner is more or less half a decade old now, but still hasn’t lost its charm. The problem with talking about “The Prisoner’’ is where to start. It was groundbreaking for its time. There are debates about its underlying truths and hidden secrets amongst the followers of this show, each one more intriguing and reasonable than the other.
It’s a shame that this show lasted for only 17 episodes, but it’s more than enough to cement its place as one of the must-watch TV shows like Wayward Pines. It never fails to impress!
The Village – A movie like Wayward Pines
A small, isolated village with not a lot of people live a peaceful but secluded life. The whole village is surrounded by woods and monsters. This is how their alliance works – townsfolk don’t go near woods and they don’t tear their village apart. When one of them goes out of village in search of some medicine, all hell breaks loose. Strange creatures start appearing everywhere in village, terrorizing the population. Nothing is as it appears though.
Although this is a movie, I had to include it in this list. After all, it’s directed by the same person who helmed “Wayward Pines” - M. Night Shyamalan. Everything from plot to setting is pretty much the same. People live in fear, not knowing why things are the way they are, and that there are bigger forces at play.
It’s clever, scary and at the same time, really fascinating. Don’t pay attention to all the negativity surrounding it. Majority of negative vibes are just because of the fact that everyone expects another “The Sixth Sense” from Shyamalan, which is not possible. Give “The Village” a chance to knock your socks off. It will do just that.
Resurrection
What happens when the dead people that you have buried years ago come back as if nothing has happened? Everyone’s life in Arcadia, Missouri changes when they see their loved ones return from dead. Some people are confused, others are just happy to have them back A few others are up to something else.
Being a hug fan of the book this TV show is based upon, I was excited about the prospect of a beautiful and haunting story being transformed into something more accessible. And the adaption doesn’t let us down.
If you are looking for a TV show like Wayward Pines that can spook you, “Resurrection” should be your best bet.
Twin Peaks – An amazing TV show like Wayward Pines with same settings
The plot revolves around FBI agent Dale Cooper, who is called in to look into the murder of a young girl living in Twin Peaks, a small, peculiar town near the Canada-US borders. As he delves deeper into this case, the secrets of town are exposed, making him realize that it’s not as ordinary as he thought it would be. There is something bigger at stake.
There is a reason you see this show mentioned everywhere. If you haven’t watched it already, go do it now.
X-Files - One of the best TV shows like Wayward Pines
X-Files is one of those timeless shows that never loses its charm despite being old.
It chronicles the paranormal investigations of two FBI agents, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder. These two are willing to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of a case, even if it means risking their career and lives.
What sets it apart from other procedural TV shows? For starters, you aren’t going to see such spark and tension between the two leads anywhere else. It’s just magical, something you have to see first hand. And no, TV shows like “
Supernatural” and “Grimm” doesn’t even come close to “X-Files”.
The Lost Room - A mini-series like Wayward Pines
One things sound pretty boring when explained in words. You have to see the first hand to believe in their magic. “The Lost Room” is one such TV shows. The whole mini-series revolves round a peculiar room, which is the portal to another dimension. When a detective comes across the only key to that room, he must uncover the secret behind it before it’s too late.
A short, intriguing series like Wayward Pines that keeps you on your seat till the end.
Carnivale
Taking place amidst great depression era, the show tells the story of Hawkins , a farm boy and Brother Justin, a charismatic preacher, who learn that they hold key to the proxy war going on between hell and heaven.
It’s a shame that HBO had to cancel this show just after 2 seasons. Such an amazing show! Look at the positives here. You have full 2 seasons of one of the best TV shows since the days of X-files.
Being on HBO allowed this show to be more creative with its plotline. No, it’s not about extra gore and nude scenes. I’m talking about the quality of drama here. Some episodes are tear-jerkers while others are downright spooky, chilling you to your core.
If you’re looking for a compelling TV show like Wayward Pines, Carnivale should be right up your alley.
Fringe - One of the must-watch TV shows like Wayward Pines
TV shows like Fringe will always divide the viewers. Some would love the show for its riveting storyline while others will scoff at it for its multiple loose threads, unconnected dots and unexplained mysteries.
The plot revolves around a formerly institutionalized scientist and his son, who team up with FBI to tackle the mysterious crimes taking place in the city, a part of something bigger.
I found it to be more in line with TV shows like “Lost” where you are left to make sense of some things. You have to watch every episode, every shot, listen to every dialogue carefully to understand what’s going on. If you are used to watching an episode every week, you aren’t going to have a lot of fun. It’s not really a bad thing, unless you are into brain-dead shows.
With some smart writing from J.J. Abrahams and a talented cast, Fringe has cemented its place as one of the must-watch TV shows like Wayward Pines. 6he story continues to progress with every episode, giving away just a little every tie to keep you hooked.
Persons Unknown
The plot revolves around a couple of kidnapped people, who wake up to find themselves inside a peculiar town. No one knows what’s going on, and why they’re here. Things begin to spiral out of control in every man for himself situation.
Although this show never got the attention it deserved and got cancelled pretty soon, you still have one full season to churn through. Be warned; the season ends with a cliffhanger. We’d never know what writers had in mind for the second season, which is a shame considering how amazing the first season was.
12 Monkeys - A new TV show like Wayward Pines
I was one of those many people who were against the idea of T show based upon a hit movie. But I’m glad to report that I was wrong. It sure took its sweet time to pick up the pace, but once it did, it was a rollercoaster ride.
The plot surrounds around a time traveler, who is en tack in past to know more about the deadly plague that almost wiped out the human race from the earth in future. When he travels back and forth in preset and past, things get more complicated that he imagined.
What I liked about this show is it never really lets up at any moment. Despite being a 13 episode long TV show, the pacing and storyline feels like a movie, keeping you guessing all the time. Unlike other shows and movies, the time travel paradox is used very wisely here, making it difficult to find any loopholes. Overall the show does a very good job at keeping the timelines comprehendible. If you’re looking for a good TV show like Wayward Pines with some sort of time-travel mechanics involved, you should give “12 Monkeys” a try.
Comments
Savannah on January 04, 2020:
Sooo they’re actually coming out with a third season!!?? I’ve read so many things that say they aren’t coming out with it or it’s unlikely so I wanna know if it’s true
Ryan from Louisiana, USA on July 12, 2017:
I remember watching Twin Peaks when I was younger and being like man this show is crazy good. I want to see Wayward Pines because I have heard nothing but good. And don't get me started on Lost, one of the greatest television series ever. I remember when a friend recommended that show to me and I literally dedicated all my free time to watching that series because it was so good.
Movie Whisperer from Moreton Bay, Queensland on July 11, 2017:
Are you aware that you have a bio for 'The Prisoner' and a Trailer for 'Prisoner 2013?' Other than that, I've seen all these shows and The Village (which I hated and saw on the big screen :( ) except for Persons Unknown and The Lost Room which I now have cued up to watch soon. I thought Wayward Pines was phenomenal. I loved it a lot. I hope for more someday.
Gab from Philippines on April 05, 2017:
Thanks for this!!! I didn't really like Season 2 of Wayward Pines. Once the twist was out, it didn't really feel that fresh anymore.
Brittany Brown from Sydney, Australia on January 09, 2017:
This is great, thank you! Most of these shows I've seen (and agree with), while the others are on my must-watch list :)
Vidgo from Menomonee Falls, WI on September 12, 2016:
Love Twin Peaks!
