There is no shortage of sci-fi on TV these days. Some of the most beloved franchises of recent years have come straight out of this genre. However, while streaming platforms have jumped on the sci-fi bandwagon, Netflix has long stuck to a smaller portion of its catalog dedicated to it. Yet, somehow, they have still managed to get some of the best returns—whether it was Stranger Things, Dark, or Black Mirror.

One such underrated sci-fi series that has quietly gathered a dedicated fanbase is Paper Girls. But can you watch it on Netflix? 

Paper Girls is an American science fiction drama adapted from the 2015–2019 comic book series of the same name. The story follows four twelve-year-old newspaper delivery girls from 1988 who find themselves accidentally swept into a conflict between rival time-travel factions. Soon, they take on an epic adventure through time, trying to save the world. Unfortunately, Paper Girls is not available on Netflix, though.

The series premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2022. However, the show was canceled after just one season. At the time, many fans felt the adaptation did not do the comic justice, and it struggled to gain traction in key markets where it needed strong viewership. Still, even though it is not on Netflix, Paper Girls often draws comparisons to one of Netflix’s crown jewels, none other than Stranger Things.

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Especially fans who are unfamiliar with the comic frequently compare Paper Girls to Stranger Things, largely because of its ’80s vibes. But the creators of Paper Girls have repeatedly stressed that their show is one of a kind.

Stranger Things is often described as a love letter to the ’80s, as it brims with cultural nods, retro aesthetics, and callbacks to the era’s movies and music. The Duffer Brothers deliberately infused it with details from the decade for a nostalgic experience. On the other hand, at San Diego Comic-Con, Paper Girls creator Brian K. Vaughan made it clear that his show is more of a "death threat" to the ’80s than a love letter.

“We wanted to do something that was anti-nostalgic,” Vaughan explained. Even Riley Lai Nelet, who played Erica Tieng, told Insider that the show is “its own genre” because of its focus on four young girls. Meanwhile, Fina Strazza, who played KJ Brandman, said they are “honored to be associated with shows” like Stranger Things and hope to earn the same kind of love from fans.

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What do you think about Paper Girls? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!