Stephen King’s The Institute: The Unofficial Hawkins Lab Stranger Things Spinoff

by

While a spin-off series exploring the history of the Hawkins Lab from Stranger Things likely won’t happen, Stephen King has a lesser-known show coming out in 2025 that covers similar ground.

After almost ten seasons, Stranger Things has come to an end. Whether the final season fully lived up to fans’ expectations is up for debate, but the show should be commended for its longevity and continued impact on popular culture. Given its huge success, it’s no surprise that Netflix plans to continue the story with at least one new spinoff series.

It’s still uncertain how the Stranger Things universe will expand, but a spin-off set during the early days of Hawkins Lab seems unlikely. However, fans interested in that kind of story should look out for Stephen King’s upcoming show in 2025, which explores similar themes.

A Hawkins Lab Stranger Things Spinoff May Never Happen, But Stephen King’s The Institute Tells A Similar Story

Even before Stranger Things ended, many fans hoped for a spin-off focusing on Hawkins Lab as a way to continue the story. While there’s been talk of several potential follow-up shows, it looks like only one is actually being developed, and a spin-off centered around the lab isn’t likely to happen.

The upcoming 2025 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Institute feels like a great alternative for fans seeking a similar experience.

The story takes place in a secret laboratory located in a quiet town. Here, children who have telepathic and telekinetic abilities are kidnapped and subjected to experiments. Similar to the children in the Hawkins Lab from Stranger Things, these kids at the Institute – the central location in Stephen King’s story – are treated as less than human, kept apart from others, and used solely to strengthen their powers.

Like Eleven and the other kids in Stranger Things, the children in The Institute ultimately band together to rebel against the adults holding them prisoner, all in the name of science and what those adults believe is for the best.

As a big movie and TV fan, I’ve noticed a cool similarity between these two shows. They both start with these huge, secretive facilities hidden right in plain sight in these seemingly normal towns. It’s like the setting itself is keeping a secret! But what’s really interesting is how both stories ultimately show that people can be the scariest monsters of all. If you were captivated by the Hawkins Lab storyline in Stranger Things, I think you’ll absolutely love The Institute – it really hits that same nerve.

In Season 2, The Institute Will Also Outgrow Its Initial “Secret Lab” Setting

The first season of The Institute ends with the story expanding beyond the Institute itself. Now that the show has been renewed for a second season, it’s likely the next part of the story will broaden its scope and explore the larger systems at play.

As much as people are comparing it to Stranger Things, I think it’s important to remember this show will be very different. It’s going to stay grounded in reality – no creepy alternate dimensions like the Upside Down or terrifying villains like Vecna. It’s a much more down-to-earth story, and that’s what I’m really excited about.

Given how popular Stranger Things remains, it’s probably too early to say if The Institute is on the same level. However, the new Stephen King series could be a great option for viewers missing Stranger Things, particularly because of its shared themes and the mysterious lab setting.

Read More

2026-01-04 04:18