Stranger Thingshas been famous for bringing back the nostalgia of the 1980s throughout the show’s four seasons, many of which come in the form of movie references. It’s not surprising that there are so many 80s pop culture references inStranger ThingssincecreatorsThe Duffer Brothers grew up watching and loving many of the movies and shows thatStranger Thingsreferencesand pays homage to.
Stranger Thingswill conclude with season 5 in 2025, which will have to meet some big expectations given how popular the series has been since it came out in 2016. The stakes ofStranger Thingsseason 5 will likely be larger than ever and will likely see the gang team up once more to defeatVecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). There are many mysteries surrounding whatStranger Thingsseason 5will entail, but no matter what happens, we can expect a few more ’80s movie references.
15The Ghostbusters Costumes Are Straight Out of the ‘80s
Season 2, Episode 2
InStranger Thingsseason 2,Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas all dressed up as the Ghostbusters for Halloween. The attention to detail in the homemade costumes was amazing, and it was great to see how Will was trying to reintegrate himself into daily life after going missing inStranger Thingsseason 1. WithGhostbusterspremiering in June of 1984, having the four best friends dress as the supernatural hunters was a little spot on, especially withStranger Thingsseason 2 being set in October 1984.
14Dustin and Suzie’s “NeverEnding Story” Theme Song Performance is Iconic
Season 3, Episode 8
One of the most memorable parts ofStranger Thingsseason 3 wasDustin reaching out to his camp girlfriend over the radio and the pair singing the theme song fromNeverEnding Storywhile the rest of the gang from Hawkins listens in. The 1984 sci-fi classic is the perfect song for lovebirds who share an interest in science and who met at Camp Know Where. The duet was even referenced byWill Byers inStranger Thingsseason 4when they traveled to Suzie’s house to get her help.
13Dustin Quotes One of Han Solo’s Most Famous Lines
Season 4, Episode 1
WithStar Warsbeing such an iconic trilogy in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it’s not surprising that Dustin Henderson would be a fan. In theStranger Thingsseason 4 premiere, Dustin is told about the odds of rolling a certain outcome while playing Dungeons and Dragons, but he holds up a finger and exclaims“Never tell me the odds!”This line is a direct quote from Han Solo yelling at C-3POwhile trying to navigate an asteroid field inThe Empire Strikes Back. It’s a great moment by Dustin is one of manyStar Warsreferences inStranger Things.
12Bob Newby’s Younger Life Reflects Stephen King’s “It”
Season 2, Episode 3
Sean Astin’s Bob Newbywas one of the best additions toStranger Thingsseason 2 and he will be forever missed. In season 2, episode 3 he tells Will a story from when he was young and how he feared a creepy clown and eventually defeated his fear by standing up to it. The backstory is eerily similar to Stephen King’sIt. The novel has multiple movie adaptations, including 2017’sIt, starringStranger Things’ own Finn Wolfard.Bob’s life following the plot of King’s famed novel is a great nodto another title showcasing kids fighting an evil supernatural being.
Season 3, Episode 1
Much ofStranger Thingsseason 3 focused on the Starcourt Mall and even culminated in a battle there.InStranger Thingsseason 3, episode 1 Mike, Eleven, Will, Lucas, and Max all go seeDay of the Deadthe day it originally premiered. While there are many 80s movie references inStranger Things, it’s interesting to see something likeDay of the Deadbe worked into the show in a way that isn’t as much a reference, but something that allows audiences to figure out precisely when the season takes place.
10 Stranger Things Scenes That Define The Series
Stranger Things has been through countless brilliant episodes since the first season, with certain scenes still standing out many years later.
10Suzie’s Sister Eden is Modeled After Allison in “The Breakfast Club”
Season 4, Episode 6
While Suzie stole the show inStranger Thingsseason 3, in season 4 audiences got introduced to her whole family, including her many siblings. One sibling in particular,Eden, is modeled after an iconic 80s character, Allison Reynolds fromThe Breakfast Club. The iconic John Hughes film is referenced in many ways throughoutStranger Things’ 4 seasons, but none is quite as overt as Eden’s design. Eden sports stringy dark hair, and dark eye makeup, and generally gives off the “basket case” vibe that Allison did inThe Breakfast Club, making this homage perfect.
9One “War Games” Reference Was Used in Season 3
The filmWar Gamespopularized the trope of two individuals having to turn keys simultaneously to deploy nuclear weapons, and so that no one person can have such power.Stranger Thingsseason 3 took this idea and ran with it.The Russians inStranger Thingsset up a two-man rule to make sure that the Upside Down couldn’t be opened or shut by just one person. This makes for some great stakes, especially when Joyce is able to turn both keys simultaneously and subvert the Russian’s security policy.
8Steve And Nancy Pay Homage to the Tom Cruise Film “Risky Business”
For the Halloween party inStranger Thingsseason 2, episode 2, Steve and Nancy dress upas the two main characters fromRisky Business. The couple’s costume was very 1980s and both Steve and Nancy pulled off pretending to be Joel and Lana really well. Their costume may have also been an indication that Steve and Nancy’s relationship was in jeopardy as inRisky BusinessJoel (played by Tom Cruise) hires Lana for an evening while his parents are out of town. It was a relationship not meant to least, much like Steve and Nancy’s.
7Vickie’s Outfit Looks Like It was Taken Out of “Pretty in Pink”
Season 4, Episode 9
Audiences first learned that Robin was gay inStranger Thingsseason 3, but in season 4 audiences see how Robin struggles with having a crush on Vicky, someone who is hinted at being queer in the season’s premiere. While Robin, Steve, and the gang shop for weapons to weaken and kill Vecna, they run into Vickie and her boyfriend. However, it’s Vickie’s outfit that’s striking. With her red hair,she looks just like Molly Ringwald’s character Andie Walsh inPretty In Pink. The hair paired with the hat, jacket, and white shirt is a clear reference to the 80s classic.
6Billy Recreates an Iconic “The Shining” Moment
Season 3, Episode 4
The Duffer Brothers clearly take some kind of inspiration from Stephen King, asItwasn’t the only thing they’ve referenced. InStranger Thingsseason 3 Billy is trying to track down Max and her friends and eventually gets trapped in a sauna. In a moment veryreminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s infamous door breakdown scene, Billy breaks the glass and tries to stab Maxwith a shard of tile. Knowing that Billy was infected and not himself also adds to Dacre Montgomery’s amazing performance.
