A Stephen King show, which is set to return with a new season in 2026, has often been compared with Stranger Things. The comparisons even make sense because of its many underlying similarities with the long-running Netflix sci-fi TV series. However, in terms of the scale of its storytelling, the Stephen King show in question has higher stakes and even avoids adopting as much plot armor as Stranger Things.

Based on Stephen King’s book of the same name, MGM+’s The Institute premiered on July 12, 2025. While its critical reception seemed lukewarm, the show became a commercial success, leading to its renewal. While The Institute season 2 does not have a final release date yet, it has been scheduled to premiere later in 2026.

The Institute is not as popular as Stranger Things yet. It also has not matched Stranger Things‘ high acclaim from earlier seasons. However, it shows immense potential in season 1 and seemingly avoids the many pitfalls that weighed down Stranger Things season 5.

MGM+’s Adaptation Of The Institute Has A Lot In Common With Stranger Things

Stranger Things‘ parallels with popular Stephen King books, like Firestarter, IT, and Carrie, have always been evident. While The Institute is not as mainstream as some of his best works, its story, too, rests on a very similar narrative and thematic foundation. Stephen King’s The Institute and its MGM+ adaptation almost feel like a Stranger Things spin-off that focuses on the Hawkins National Laboratory.

Just like the Hawkins Lab arc from Stranger Things, The Institute unfolds in a secret government-run facility where kids with supernatural abilities are ruthlessly experimented on. Similar to Eleven, the main character in The Institute, Luke, also possesses exceptional telepathic and telekinetic abilities. After being exploited and oppressed by the adults who run the facility, Luke, like Eleven, plans an escape.

In both The Institute and Stranger Things, the morally skewed adults who run the central facilities create a twisted parental dynamic with the children to ensure they do plan an escape. Dr. Martin Brenner insists on being called “Papa,” Mrs. Sigsby in The Institute intentionally gets children hooked on cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary snacks to manipulate them into compliance.

When the main characters in both narratives reach the end of their wits, they find a way to escape the central facility. However, their escape plan, too, leads to dire consequences that end up getting many of their fellow prisoners killed. Like Eleven, Luke not only finds support from the friends he ends up making in the facility but also from a few responsible adults who empathize with him.

Interestingly, though, unlike Stranger Things, The Institute does not play it safe. In terms of storytelling scale, Stranger Things is far more expansive, given how it also involves interdimensional threats. However, the stakes in The Institute still arguably seem higher.

The Institute Season 1 Avoided Stranger Things Plot Armor Mistake

The Institute is not as acclaimed as Stranger Things after season 1. Many even criticized the show for its inability to rise above the conventional tropes of the sci-fi genre. However, what makes it better than Stranger Things is its ability to take creative risks. Instead of playing it safe and not killing any main characters, The Institute establishes the high stakes of its drama by showing how no one is safe in its world.

Even one of the most overpowered main characters ends up dead towards the end of The Institute season 1. In season 2, The Institute will extend beyond the original Stephen King story it adapts.

Its story will still likely not include anything like Stranger Things‘ Mind Flayer or Demogorgons. However, it will further raise the stakes of its drama by exploring how many facilities like the one in season 1 continue to exist across the world. The Institute season 2 could also take a more philosophical turn with its exploration of how oppression in the name of serving the greater good is not justified.

The Institute season 2 is expected to land on MGM+ towards the end of 2026. While only time will tell how it will turn out, the Stephen King show’s biggest strength over similar series like Stranger Things is its lack of plot armor and established high stakes. Hopefully, it will keep riffing on these in season 2 and rise above other run-of-the-mill shows of the genre.