You miss Stranger Things? Before waiting until 2028 for a spin-off, there’s another eerie, supernatural drama already on the air that many viewers are turning to right now.
A quick look at the gap Stranger Things left — and what’s replacing it
The end of Stranger Things left a large audience searching for a new sci-fi/horror series. Netflix has confirmed a Stranger Things spin-off is planned for 2028, but in the nearer term a different show has gained attention: The Institute, now streaming on MGM+. Its second season debuted recently and is being promoted as a solid alternative for fans of suspenseful, kid-centered supernatural stories.
Premise: what The Institute is about
Adapted from Stephen King’s 2019 bestseller, The Institute follows 12-year-old Luke, who is kidnapped in the night and brought to a secretive facility. There, cold, methodical scientists attempt to extract and exploit the children’s psychic powers. The series dramatizes the plight of these youngsters and the shadowy mechanisms that run the place.
Cast updates and a notable new arrival
Ben Barnes, Mary-Louise Parker and Joe Freeman return as central cast members in season two. Joining them is Alfie Allen (known for portraying Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones), who appears as Nolan Reeves, a wealthy and unusual character enlisted to help the Institute locate missing children.
Where the show stands now: release and episode schedule
Season 1 premiered in summer 2025 and performed well enough for MGM+ to order a second season. Season 2 launched on November 8, 2026. Only the first episode is available at the time of writing; new installments will be released weekly, building toward the finale on December 20, when the final two episodes will premiere together.
How the series relates to Stephen King’s novel
Unlike the first season, the new season moves beyond the events of King’s novel. The television team expanded the storyline because the source material had been fully mined, so season 2 follows original material developed by the showrunners rather than remaining strictly faithful to the book.
How to watch: MGM+, Prime Video add-on and a free first episode
The Institute streams on MGM+, which is available as a paid add-on through Prime Video. For viewers hesitant to subscribe, Amazon is currently offering the first episode of season 2 at no extra cost, allowing interested viewers to sample the series without immediately committing to the MGM+ subscription.
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Avery Sandridge has an unmatched love for storytelling and the screen. From detailed analyses of your favorite shows to behind-the-scenes scoops, Avery offers a fresh and engaging take on everything TV series.