Stranger Things was famous for bringing back 1980s nostalgia throughout the show’s four seasons, many of which come in the form of cinematic references. It’s not surprising that there are so many references to 80s pop culture in Stranger Things since creators The Duffer brothers grew up watching and loving many of the movies and shows that Stranger Things references and pays homage.
Stranger Things will end with Season 5 in 2025, which will have to meet some big expectations given the series’ popularity since it launched in 2016. What’s at stake Stranger Things Season 5 will likely be bigger than ever and will likely see the gang come together once again to defeat Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). There are many mysteries surrounding what Stranger Things season 5 will entail, but no matter what happens, we can expect some more ’80s movie references.
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Ghostbusters costumes come straight from the 80s
Season 2, Episode 2
In Stranger Things 2nd season, Mike, Will, Dustin and Lucas dressed up as Ghostbusters for Halloween. The attention to detail in the homemade costumes was incredible, and it was great to see how Will was trying to reintegrate himself into everyday life after disappearing into Stranger Things season 1. Com Ghostbusters debuting in June 1984, having the four best friends dress up as the supernatural hunters was a bit off, especially with Stranger Things Season 2 takes place in October 1984.
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Dustin and Suzie’s “NeverEnding Story” theme song performance is iconic
Season 3, Episode 8
One of the most memorable parts Stranger Things season 3 was Dustin talking to his camp girlfriend on the radio and the pair singing the theme song from Endless story while the rest of the Hawkins gang listens. 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 by Will Byers in Stranger Things Season 4 when they traveled to Suzie’s house to seek her help.
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Dustin quotes one of Han Solo’s most famous lines
Season 4, Episode 1
With Star Wars being such an iconic trilogy in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it’s no surprise that Dustin Henderson is a fan. Node Stranger Things In the Season 4 premiere, Dustin is told the chances of getting a certain result 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-3PO while trying to navigate an asteroid field in The Empire Strikes Back. It’s a great Dustin moment is one of many Star Wars references in Stranger Things.
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Bob Newby’s Younger Life Mirrors Stephen King’s “It”
Season 2, Episode 3
Sean Astin’s Bob Newby was one of the best additions to the Stranger Things Season 2 and will be forever missed. In Season 2, Episode 3, he tells Will a story about when he was young and how he feared a scary clown and ended up defeating his fear by facing him. The backstory is eerily similar to Stephen King’s This. The novel has several film adaptations, including 2017 Thisstarring Stranger Things‘ by Finn Wolfard himself. Bob’s life following the plot of King’s famous novel is a great nod for another title showing children fighting an evil supernatural being.
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“Day of the Dead” plays at the Starcourt Mall Theater
Season 3, Episode 1
Much of Stranger Things season 3 focused on the Starcourt Mall and even culminated in a battle there. In Stranger Things season 3, episode 1 Mike, Eleven, Will, Lucas and Max go to see Day of the Dead on the day it originally premiered. Although there are many 80s movie references in Stranger ThingsIt’s interesting to see something like Day of the Dead be worked into the show in a way that isn’t so much a reference, but something that allows the audience to figure out precisely when the season takes place.
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Suzie’s Sister Eden Is Modeled After Allison on “The Breakfast Club”
Season 4, Episode 6
While Suzie stole the show Stranger Things Season 3, in season 4 the audience was introduced to his entire family, including his many siblings. One brother in particular, Eden, is inspired by an iconic character from the 80s, Allison Reynolds from The Breakfast Club. The iconic John Hughes film is referenced in numerous ways throughout Stranger Things‘ 4 seasons, but none are as evident as Eden’s design. Eden sports dark, stringy hair and dark eye makeup, and generally gives off the “basket case” vibe that Allison did in The Breakfast Clubmaking this tribute perfect.
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A “War Games” Reference Was Used in Season 3
Season 3, Episode 8
The film War games popularized the trope that two individuals have to turn wrenches simultaneously to deploy nuclear weapons and so that no one person can have such power. Stranger Things season three took that idea and ran with it. The Russians in Stranger Things establish a two-man rule to ensure the Upside Down cannot be opened or closed by just one person. This poses great risks, especially when Joyce is able to turn both keys simultaneously and subvert Russian security policy.
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Steve and Nancy pay homage to Tom Cruise’s film “Risky Business”
Season 2, Episode 2
For the Halloween party in Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 2 Steve and Nancy Dress Up as the two main characters of Risky business. The couple’s costume was very 1980s and Steve and Nancy pretended to be Joel and Lana very well. Their fantasy may also have been an indication that Steve and Nancy’s relationship was in danger, as in Risky business Joel (played by Tom Cruise) hires Lana for a night while his parents are out of town. It was a relationship that wasn’t meant to be any less important, much like Steve and Nancy’s.
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Vickie’s outfit looks like it was taken from “Pretty in Pink”
Season 4, Episode 9
The public first discovered that Robin was gay in Stranger Things season 3, but in season 4 the audience sees how Robin struggles with having a crush on Vicky, someone who was hinted to be gay in the season premiere. While Robin, Steve and the gang buy weapons to weaken and kill Vecna, they encounter Vickie and her boyfriend. However, it’s Vickie’s outfit that catches the eye. With your red hair, She looks like Andie Walsh, Molly Ringwald’s character in Beautiful in pink. The hair combined with the hat, jacket and white shirt is a clear reference to the 80s classic.
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Billy recreates an iconic moment from “The Shining”
Season 3, Episode 4
The Duffer brothers clearly take inspiration from Stephen King, as This wasn’t the only thing they mentioned. In Stranger Things Season 3 Billy is trying to track down Max and his friends and ends up getting trapped in a sauna. In a very reminiscent of Jack Nicholson’s infamous door-breaking scene, Billy breaks the glass and tries to stab Max with a piece of tile. Knowing that Billy was infected and not himself also contributes to Dacre Montgomery’s incredible performance.
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Will’s Vision References “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”
Season 2, Episode 1
After his experience in the Upside Down in Stranger ThingsWill started seeing things in season 2. Stranger Things In Season 2, Episode 1, the door to the Byers’ house opens and Will sees the red sky of the Upside Down. With lightning crackling and Will’s horrified face, the moment references Spielberg’s film Close Encounters of the Third Kind when Barry Guiler stands in front of a door while an ominous, warm-colored light is before him. Although Will’s vision wasn’t just a manifestation of his PTSD,was an interesting look into his psyche at the start of season 2.
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References to Eleven “ET” Halloween costume
Season 2, Episode 2
Like Stephen King, the Duffer brothers are nostalgic for Steven Spielberg’s classic films and ET is no exception. In Stranger Things 2nd season, Eleven wants to go trick-or-treating with her friends and dresses up as a ghost under a sheet, just as the alien ET was dressed as a means of escape in the film. Eleven needed to hide her identity and wearing a ghost costume that covered her face would allow her to do this while still spending time with her friends.
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“Return of the Jedi” is referenced twice in season 3
Season 3, episodes 1 and 8
While Star Wars may not influence the themes and plot of Stranger Things like many other 80s films, but it is frequently referenced. When Dustin returns home from camp in Season 3, he uses his walkie-talkie to talk to his friends as “Gold Leader.” This references Lando Calrissian’s callsign in Return of the Jedi as he leads the airstrike on the Death Star. Furthermore, in Stranger Things Season 3, Steve is interviewing for a job at the video store saying his favorite movie is “the one with the teddy bears” a reference to the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi.
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One of the scariest parts of “Alien” was adapted for the Mind Flayer
Season 3, episodes 2 and 4
One of the scariest parts Stranger Things was the Mind Flayer seen in Season 3. However, the way it attacks its victims is eerily similar to the way the proto Xenomorph attacks its prey in Ridley Scott’s film. Foreigner. In particular, the Xenomorph and the Mind Flayer “embrace” their victimskilling them in a truly horrific and frightening way. Referral is great if someone is a Foreigner fan, but not someone a little squeamish.
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Hopper waves to Indiana Jones several times
Season 2, episodes 5 and 9
Stranger Things The second season takes place in 1984, the same year as the first Indiana Jones sequence, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom debuted. However, Hawkins’ favorite sheriff Hopper takes on the personality of the famous archaeologist several times. In the underground tunnel, the image of Hopper’s shadow is a direct homage to the Indiana Jones films. Not to mention that after dropping the hat, Hopper comes back and picks it up, just like Harrison Ford always did in the movies.