Escape Reality With These 9 Must-Watch Stranded TV Shows
Survival. Isolation. Savagery. These are all themes where characters end up on a stranded island and fight to survive. From classic stories of castaways to modern psychological twists, these beloved shows leave us on the edge of our seats as we witness others unfold into mayhem. Pop Culture Planet contributor Paola Cardenas breaks down the stranded TV shows you need to watch.
Lost
When Oceanic Flight 815 crash lands on a mysterious remote island, it leaves 70 survivors to grapple with the unknown. Lost takes audiences on a gripping journey as the survivors uncover underground bunkers, encounter a massive security system shrouded in mystery, and face off against violent survivalists known as the “Others.” This thrilling series seamlessly blends suspense and science fiction, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its use of flashback and flash forward scenes. The twists and jaw-dropping revelations deliver a pulse-pounding experience that will leave you hooked from start to finish.
Lost is on Prime Video and Hulu.
The Wilds
Created by Sarah Streicher, The Wilds focuses on young teenage girls from different backgrounds as they travel to Hawaii for The Dawn Of Eve retreat program. When their flight crashes, they are left to their own devices on a deserted island. Think Lord Of The Flies, but with women instead. However, they remain completely unaware that they are actually part of a social experiment. Much like Lost, the series also follows a flashback and flash forward sequence.
The Wilds is on Freevee and Prime Video.
Yellowjackets
The psychologically terrifying series Yellowjackets is one of the most popular in the genre with its talented cast and gripping storytelling. The series follows the survivors of a high school girls' soccer team whose plane crashes in the Ontario wilderness. Trauma, secrets, cannibalism, and alliances all contribute to the survival of their emotional wellbeing. From outstanding performances by Ella Purnell to Christina Ricci, Yellowjackets jumps from 1996 to 2021 to explore the psychological aftermath of the ordeal.
Unlock their twisted, savage humanity with Yellowjackets on Paramount+ and Showtime.
Return To Paradise
Return to Paradise puts a Filipino romance twist on the classic survival story. We encounter two college students, Eden Sta. Maria (Elle Villanueva) and Red Ramos (Derrick Monasterio), as they find themselves stranded on an island together. Eventually, they end up falling in love, but when they’re rescued home, they find out their parents have major conflicts with each other which will affect their newfound relationship.
The Stranded
If you’re looking to binge watch a series in one day, The Stranded is for you! This Thai drama revolves around Kraam (Papangkorn Lerkchaleampote) and his classmates who attend a prestigious high school on an island. It’s their last day of school and he plans on moving to Bangkok to further his education. When his best friend Joey (Oabnithi Wiwattanawarang) arranges for the students to stay and party, a massive tsunami occurs. Now it’s up to the survivors to figure out the strange mysteries of the island.
The Stranded is on Netflix.
Persons Unknown
POV: you’re stuck in a ghost town with six other strangers with no recollection of how you got there
That’s the premise for the drama series Persons Unknown! When Janet Cooper (Daisy Betts), Moira Doherty (Tina Holms), Tori Fairchild (Kate Lang Johnson), Bill Blackham (Sean O’Bryan), Joe Tucker (Jason Wiles), Sergeant Graham McNair (Chadwick Boseman), and Charlie Morse (Alan Ruck) wake up in a hotel, they have no idea where they are. They find out that the 1950s era ghost town is littered with security surveillance and microphones. Of course, they all experience ruthless physical, emotional, and mental stress while an investigative reporter tries to find their whereabouts.
Wrecked
Between all the horror and thrills, you need a good laugh to balance it out. Wrecked gives you just that!
Often dubbed as a parody of Lost, these strangers are stripped away of their everyday luxuries such as fast food indulgences, their phones, elusive social media, and more. The sitcom stands out for its witty writing, irreverent humor, eclectic cast, and satirical moments that will have viewers constantly laughing.
Class Of ‘07
High school reunions are a special time to look back on the good old days and be proud of how far you’ve come since. For Class Of ‘07, Zoe (Emily Browning), Amelia (Megan Smart), and Saskia (Caitlin Stasey) are among a few of the women celebrating their 10-year reunion and now have to survive their high school campus amidst an apocalyptic tidal wave. However, they also have to survive each other as old gossip and drama surfaces.
See how this all goes down with Class Of ‘07 on Prime Video.
Flight 29 Down
Before Corbin Bleu was known as Chad Danforth in High School Musical, he was Nathan McHugh in Flight 29 Down. A group of teenagers crash on an island in the Federation States of Micronesia on their way to a camping trip in Palau. As they struggle to survive and find a way back home, the young diverse teens must overcome their differences and work together to navigate the challenges of island life. Flight 29 Down’s focus on realistic characters offers an exploration on lush themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery.
