Netflix Genre Shows To Look Out For In 2022

Holy crud, 2021 is almost over! That seems hard to believe, because it genuinely feels like 2021 just started. At the same exact time, it feels like 2021 has been going on forever. It's a paradox, I guess. But time marches forward, and we must all accept that 2022 is right around the corner. And hey, just because the last few years have been consistently lousy doesn't mean 2022 will follow suit! Hey, 2022 might be the best year ever! Stranger things have happened.

Speaking of "Stranger Things," Netflix just unleashed a torrent of info regarding their upcoming 2022 genre shows. The list includes "Stranger Things" season 4, of course. But it's also chock-full of other titles you're going to want on your radar. So let's dive into this, shall we? And here's hoping 2022 isn't yet another nightmare year. Please. 

I mean, obviously, this is the big one. "Stranger Things 4" will take us back to Hawkins, and beyond. The "Stranger Things" kids are all back, and they all look like adults now! Season 3 ended with a cliffhanger that heavily implied that beloved character Hopper (David Harbour) had died. But no, a teaser for season 4 eventually confirmed Hopper was still alive, and stuck in a Russian prison camp. That's just one of several storylines season 4 will have to address when it arrives in the summer of 2022. 

Modern master of horror Mike Flanagan is headed back to Netflix with yet another scary show. This time it's "The Midnight Club," inspired by the work of teen horror author Christopher Pike. Netflix had big success with the R.L. Stine adaptation "Fear Street" this year, so it makes sense that they'd want to mine more of that YA horror gold. Here's "The Midnight Club" synopsis: 

A new horror series from Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) based on the creative works of bestselling author Christopher Pike. Cast includes Iman Benson, Adia, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd, Aya Furukawa, Annarah Cymone, William Chris Sumpter, Sauriyan Sapkota, Zach Gilford, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, Larsen Thompson, William B. Davis, Crystal Balint, Patricia Drake and Heather Langenkamp.

There's no date yet, but I'd expect this to arrive close to Halloween 2022. 

Neil Gaiman's work doesn't always translate well to screen, so we're all very curious to see how the Netflix adaptation of Gaiman's iconic "The Sandman" comics shakes out. I'm a big Gaiman fan, but I have to admit I've never read a single "Sandman" issue. However, I've heard nothing but great things, and I know fans are going to be royally bummed out if this turns out to be a bust. Here's a synopsis: 

A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic — and human — mistakes he's made during his vast existence. The Sandman is a new dark fantasy series based on the comic book series created for DC by Neil Gaiman (Good Omens, Coraline). Gaiman is Executive Producer and Co-Writer. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey's Anatomy) is EP/ Showrunner. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Terminator: Dark Fate, Foundation) is EP. Goyer and Heinberg are also Co-Writers

Zack Snyder's ho-hum zombie heist flick "Army of the Dead" is getting yet another prequel. This year we had the live-action prequel film "Army of Thieves," which no one seemed to care about. Next year will bring on the animated "Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas." Here's what it's about: 

The animated series chronicles the origin story of Scott (Dave Bautista) and his rescue crew during the initial fall of Vegas as they confront the mysterious source of the zombie outbreak. The series will be Executive Produced by Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Wesley Coller from The Stone Quarry alongside Jay Olivia and Shay Hatten. Zack Snyder will direct two episodes. Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Trese) will be showrunning as well as directing two episodes of the series. Meduzarts Animation Studio will serve as the animation studio.

The video game "Cuphead," which is designed to resemble old-timey cartoons, is also headed to Netflix – in TV show form. Here's a synopsis: 

The character-driven comedy follows the unique misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his cautious but easily swayed brother Mugman. Through their many misadventures across their surreal home of the Inkwell Isles, they've always got one another's backs. The new series will expand on the characters and world of Cuphead, with an animation style inspired by the classic Fleischer cartoons from the 1930s. For King Features, CJ Kettler will serve as the Executive Producer and creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer will serve as Executive Producers for Studio MDHR. The series will be produced by Netflix Animation and is executive produced by Emmy and Annie Award-winning producer, Dave Wasson (Mickey Mouse Shorts) and Cosmo Segurson (Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling) serves as co-executive producer.

Here's the full list, as provided by Netflix. See ya next year!

January and February Genre Series Debut Dates

ARCHIVE 81 debuts January 14, 2022.

Archive 81 follows archivist Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie), who takes a job restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. Reconstructing the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras (Dina Shihabi), he is drawn into her investigation of a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building. As the season unfolds across these two timelines, Dan slowly finds himself obsessed with uncovering what happened to Melody. When the two characters form a mysterious connection, Dan becomes convinced he can save her from the terrifying end she met 25 years ago. An original story loosely inspired by the popular podcast of the same name, Archive 81 is a supernatural horror series executive produced by showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys, The Vampire Diaries), James Wan and Michael Clear of Atomic Monster (The Conjuring Universe film franchise and the upcoming Malignant), Rebecca Thomas (Stranger Things, Limetown), Antoine Douaihy (Panic, The Good Cop) and Paul Harris Boardman (Deliver Us from Evil).

IN FROM THE COLD debuts January 28, 2022.

During a European vacation with her daughter, an American single mom's life is turned upside down when the CIA forces her to confront her long-buried past as a Russian spy who was also the product of a highly classified KGB experiment granting her special abilities. After a mysterious string of manic and murderous incidents suggests someone with her exact abilities is targeting innocent people, Jenny (Margarita Levieva) is forced out of hiding to stop this villain or risk losing the family and new life she has built. Adam Glass (Supernatural, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, The Chi) serves as Showrunner and Executive Producer.

RAISING DION returns for Season 2 on February 1, 2022.

Raising Dion follows the story of Nicole (Alisha Wainwright) and her son Dion (Ja'Siah Young) after Dion starts to manifest several mysterious, superhero-like abilities. Two years after defeating the Crooked Man (Jason Ritter), Season Two follows Dion as he continues honing his powers with the support of his mom and Tevin (Rome Flynn), his Biona trainer who catches Nicole's eye. After befriending new student Brayden (Griffin Robert Faulkner) — a fellow powered kid — a series of alarming events unfold, and Dion learns that danger is still looming. Navigating twists, turns, and surprise visitors, Dion and Nicole must prevail again — not just to save themselves, but the entire city of Atlanta.

VIKINGS: VALHALLA begins February 25, 2022.

Set over a thousand years ago in the early 11th century, Vikings: Valhalla chronicles the heroic adventures of some of the most famous Vikings who ever lived — the legendary explorer Leif Eriksson (Sam Corlett), his fiery and headstrong sister Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and the ambitious Nordic prince Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter). As tensions between the Vikings and the English royals reach a bloody breaking point and as the Vikings themselves clash over their conflicting Christian and pagan beliefs, these three Vikings begin an epic journey that will take them across oceans and through battlefields, from Kattegat to England and beyond, as they fight for survival and glory. VIKINGS: Valhalla, set over a hundred years after the end of the original VIKINGS series, is a new adventure that blends historical authenticity and drama with gritty, immersive action. From showrunner and executive producer Jeb Stuart, Valhalla is also executive produced by Morgan O'Sullivan, Michael Hirst, Sheila Hockin, Steve Stark, James Flynn, John Weber, Sherry Marsh and Alan Gasmer, Paul Buccieri, and also stars Bradley Freegard, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, and Caroline Henderson.

Genre Series Highlights Coming in 2022

*Alphabetical order/not by release date*

ALICE IN BORDERLAND SEASON 2

The epic live-action adaptation of the hit manga by Haro Aso -where young people are forced to take on games in order to survive in the mysterious world of the Borderland- is coming back for a second season! In order to unravel the mysteries of the Borderland and return to our world, Arisu, Usagi and their companions have to take on the next stage, where even more gruesome games await them. Will they be able to finally shed light on the mysteries of the Borderland? The unpredictable adventure continues... Alice in Borderland is based on the original graphic novel of the same name by Haro Aso, directed and written by Shinsuke Sato as well as Yoshiki Watabe and Yasuko Kuramitsu.

ALL OF US ARE DEAD

All of Us Are Dead is a story about people who are trapped in a high school where a zombie virus is spreading and those who are trying to save them as extreme situations riddled with surprises unfold.

ARMY OF THE DEAD: LOST VEGAS

The animated series chronicles the origin story of Scott (Dave Bautista) and his rescue crew during the initial fall of Vegas as they confront the mysterious source of the zombie outbreak. The series will be Executive Produced by Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Wesley Coller from The Stone Quarry alongside Jay Olivia and Shay Hatten. Zack Snyder will direct two episodes. Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Trese) will be showrunning as well as directing two episodes of the series. Meduzarts Animation Studio will serve as the animation studio.

THE CUPHEAD SHOW

The character-driven comedy follows the unique misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his cautious but easily swayed brother Mugman. Through their many misadventures across their surreal home of the Inkwell Isles, they've always got one another's backs. The new series will expand on the characters and world of Cuphead, with an animation style inspired by the classic Fleischer cartoons from the 1930s. For King Features, CJ Kettler will serve as the Executive Producer and creators Chad and Jared Moldenhauer will serve as Executive Producers for Studio MDHR. The series will be produced by Netflix Animation and is executive produced by Emmy and Annie Award-winning producer, Dave Wasson (Mickey Mouse Shorts) and Cosmo Segurson (Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling) serves as co-executive producer.

CYBERPUNK: EDGERUNNERS

The animated series tells a standalone, 10-episode story about a street kid trying to survive in a technology and body modification-obsessed city of the future. Having everything to lose, he chooses to stay alive by becoming an edgerunner — a mercenary outlaw also known as a cyberpunk. CD PROJEKT RED, the company behind the Cyberpunk 2077 video game, is producing the series, with a creative team formed of talent from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Cyberpunk 2077. The team at CD PROJEKT RED has been working on this new series since 2018. Acclaimed Japan-based animation company, Studio Trigger, will serve as the animation studio on the series and bring the world of Cyberpunk to life with their signature, vibrant style.

FIRST KILL

When it's time for teenage vampire Juliette (Sarah Catherine Hook) to make her first kill so she can take her place among a powerful vampire family, she sets her sights on a new girl in town named Calliope (Imani Lewis). But much to Juliette's surprise, Calliope is a vampire hunter, from a family of celebrated slayers. Both find that the other won't be so easy to kill and, unfortunately, way too easy to fall for. Felicia D. Henderson (The Punisher, Empire, Gossip Girl, Soul Food) is the writer, showrunner, and executive producer for First Kill, which is based on the short story by New York Times best-selling author Victoria "V. E." Schwab, who is also a writer and executive producer for the series. Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss serve as executive producers through Belletrist Productions.

LOCKE & KEY SEASON 3

The Locke family uncovers more magic within Keyhouse, while a new threat — the most dangerous one yet — looms in Matheson with plans of his own for the keys. From Carlton Cuse (Lost, Bates Motel) and Meredith Averill (The Haunting of Hill House), Locke & Key is a coming-of-age mystery about love, loss, and the unshakable bonds that define family. Locke and Key on Netflix is the television adaptation of the best-selling comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez for IDW Entertainment.

MAGIC: THE GATHERING

Coming soon in 2022 is Magic: The Gathering, an all-new animated event series from Entertainment One (eOne) Hasbro's global entertainment studio. Magic: The Gathering's compelling characters, fantastic worlds, and deep strategic gameplay have entertained and delighted fans for more than 25 years. Fans can currently experience Magic through the tabletop trading card game, Magic: The Gathering Arena on PC and mobile, and published fiction across the web, comics, and a New York Times bestselling novel. With over 50 million fans to date, MAGIC is a worldwide phenomenon published in eleven languages in over 70 countries. Magic is published by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro.

THE MIDNIGHT CLUB

A new horror series from Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) based on the creative works of bestselling author Christopher Pike. Cast includes Iman Benson, Adia, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd, Aya Furukawa, Annarah Cymone, William Chris Sumpter, Sauriyan Sapkota, Zach Gilford, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, Larsen Thompson, William B. Davis, Crystal Balint, Patricia Drake and Heather Langenkamp.

RESIDENT EVIL

Resident Evil is a live-action, scripted series that will tell a brand new story building on Capcom's legendary video game franchise. Nearly three decades after the discovery of the T-virus, an outbreak reveals the Umbrella Corporation's dark secrets. Stars Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker, along with Ella Balinska, Tamara Smart, Siena Agudong, Adeline Rudolph and Paola Nuñez.

THE SANDMAN

A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman follows the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King, as he mends the cosmic — and human — mistakes he's made during his vast existence. The Sandman is a new dark fantasy series based on the comic book series created for DC by Neil Gaiman (Good Omens, Coraline). Gaiman is Executive Producer and Co-Writer. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television. Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman, Grey's Anatomy) is EP/ Showrunner. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Terminator: Dark Fate, Foundation) is EP. Goyer and Heinberg are also Co-Writers. Neil Gaiman's blog regarding cast/characters is HERE

STRANGER THINGS 4 (SUMMER 2022)

A love letter to the '80s classic genre films that captivated a generation, Stranger Things is a thrilling drama set in the seemingly normal Midwestern town of Hawkins, Indiana. After a boy vanishes into thin air, his close-knit group of friends and family search for answers and are pulled into a high-stakes and deadly series of events. Beneath the surface of their ordinary town lurks an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm. Friendships will be tested and lives will be altered as what they discover will change Hawkins and possibly the world — forever.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY S3

On the same day in 1989, 43 infants are born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates 'The Umbrella Academy.' In 2019, the estranged family reunites upon the news of their father's mysterious passing, but begin to fracture due to their divergent personalities and abilities, not to mention the imminent threat of a global apocalypse. After failing to save the world, the siblings travel back in time to escape, but it goes awry and scatters them across different periods in 1960s Dallas. Five is the last to land, smack dab in the middle of a nuclear doomsday, which turns out to be a result of the group's timeline disruption — yet again. Upon finally reuniting and putting a stop to the 1960s doomsday, the Umbrella Academy returns home to 2019, convinced they fixed the timeline and therefore prevented the initial apocalypse from ever happening. But after a brief moment of celebration, they realize things aren't exactly how they left them... Welcome to the Sparrow Academy.

THE WITCHER: BLOOD ORIGIN

Set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of The Witcher, Blood Origin will tell a story lost to time – the creation of the first prototype Witcher, and the events that lead to the pivotal "conjunction of the spheres," when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.