With Roswell, New Mexico now airing its final season, fans are hoping that their favorite characters will get an epic sendoff they deserve. While season 4 has got off to a good start for iconic couples Michael and Alex and Liz and Max, it seems like their happy endings will have to wait for now as a new threat has just crashed into the town.
However, although there is still a way to go before the final episode airs, some fans might already be looking to the future and wondering what other things they could watch that could replace Roswell, New Mexico. Luckily, there are plenty of shows out there that include just as many interesting romances, groundbreaking mysteries, and characters that are just as entertaining as the ones found here.
Smallville (2001 - 2011)
Stream On Hulu
Tracing the early years of Clark Kent's life, Smallville is set in the fictional Kansas town and acts as Superman's coming-of-age story. Viewers get glimpses of iconic Superman villains like Lex Luthor but the Kryptonian still doesn't take up the mantle of "Man of Steel" yet.
This is what sets Smallville apart from every other adaptation of Superman. Here is a young, vulnerable alien who is just trying to pass off as human and have a normal teenage life. It is only later in life when he's burdened with leadership and responsibility. In this way, audiences will be able to draw parallels between Clark and Roswell's Max Evans.
Wayward Pines (2015 - 2016)
Stream On Hulu
With a very Twin Peaks-like aesthetic, Wayward Pines builds upon a US Federal Agent's attempts at finding his missing peers in the mysterious titular town. However, after he wakes up from a coma, he seems to have woken up to a new future where Wayward Pines is a fenced establishment under an authoritarian regime.
The Hulu sci-fi TV show is an interesting example of shows that take full advantage of their ominous settings. The town of Wayward Pines is the perfect location for dark mysteries to unravel. Much like Roswell, New Mexico, Wayward Pines is also based on a series of novels. A contrast can be drawn between the Sheriff figures in the show and the impact they have on these towns as Roswell's Max also serves as the town's Deputy Sheriff.
Dark (2017 - 2020)
Stream On Netflix
As is common among the majority of viewers, Dark is a mind-boggling trip of a show. One of the most acclaimed international shows on Netflix, the German original subverts familiar time-traveling tropes for an immersive tale spanning across familial generations.
The plot builds up from the disappearance of two boys in a small German town. As the mystery unravels, secrets of the town's traumatic past is revealed along with double lives that the citizens lead. With the alien characters living in Roswell, Mexico, shows featuring secretive seasons would be a big hit for fans a top choice is definitely Dark.
True Blood (2008 - 2014)
Stream On HBO Max
When a Louisiana barmaid discovers her mind-reading abilities, the vampires of her town come out of the shadows. Soon, the blood-sucking creatures plan to reveal their existence to the rest of the world.
Even though under different circumstances, True Blood's vampires are comparable to Roswell's aliens given how both groups have been living among humans in hiding. Further, Nathan Parsons makes an appearance in the final season, playing James Kent. Be it as a vampire in this or an alien in Roswell, Parsons carries a certain charm that makes him stand out in both roles.
Stranger Things (2016 -)
Stream On Netflix
Given the phenomenon that it has turned into, Stranger Things needs no introduction. Kicking off with a young boy's disappearance and involving plot points that incorporate adolescent troubles and Cold War espionage, Stranger Things has evolved into a lot more than just a suburban mystery series.
But in some way or the other, the Indiana town of Hawkins acts as a recurring theme and influences a lot of major character choices in the best episodes of Stranger Things. This is similar to the characters of Roswell, New Mexico who also seem to unearth new mysteries within the confines of their seemingly lifeless town. The way Eleven is pursued by scientific and security forces is also similar to the government conspiracy against Max in Roswell.
Supergirl (2015 -)
Stream On Netflix
In the same way as Smallville, Supergirl not only deals with the exploits of its titular heroine but also focuses on the alien's efforts at fitting in. This can yield both dramatic and humorous results in some scenes. With the episodes set across the Arrowverse, viewers can also expect a lot of fight scenes to support the romantic and friendship angles.
Just like how Kara Zor-El tries her best to keep her extraterrestrial secret to herself, Max, Michael, and Isobel also give their all to not let out the secret that they share in Roswell, New Mexico.
The OA (2016 -)
Stream On Netflix
Calling herself the OA (original angel), a young woman returns to her native town after a hiatus of 7 years. Even though she was initially blind, she can now see and seems to possess more powers. What her past and present reveal meander through the territories of supernatural fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery drama.
On the surface, the storylines of The OA and Roswell, Mexico complement each other well. The latter also builds up with Jeanine Mason's Liz returning to her hometown after a long gap. While The OA's lead discovers new secrets about herself, Liz comes across the alien nature of her ex-teenage crush Nathan Dean's, Max.
My Love From A Star (2013)
Stream On Prime Video
When it comes to the most romantic K-drama couples, actor Song-Yi and alien Min-Joon should be deemed favorites as they helm an extraterrestrial romance in My Love From A Star. Crashing accidentally on Earth and living on the planet for centuries, Min-Joon has successfully managed to keep his cover. However, things change when the seemingly emotionless creatures fall for a movie star.
Even though the K-drama is way more light-hearted in comparison, it might still intrigue fans of Roswell, Mexico which deals with a similar "other-worldly" romance at its core.
Colony (2016-2018)
Stream On Apple TV+
When a colony of aliens makes their existence public in a dystopian Los Angeles neighborhood, it is up to the inhabitants to pick sides. While one faction decides to help the visitors, the others tend to defend themselves against any impending threats.
The paranoia that can arise in a small town in such a situation is perfectly captured in Colony, a task that Roswell, Mexico also attempts to set out to achieve.
Resident Alien (2021 -)
Stream On Peacock Premium
Starring Alan Tudyk in the titular role, Resident Alien is a heartwarming comedy that deals with an alien's moral dilemma on Earth. As he is sent to invade the human race, an alien takes up a human alter ego and attempts to fit in. However, a few human friends and solving a local murder start changing his perspective on life.
Equally satirical and introspective, Resident Alien is a light-hearted alternative to Roswell, New Mexico as the latter also captures a similar moral confusion from an alien's perspective.