If you’re a fan of cinema and you’ve spent time trying to unravel all the references and homages to 70s and 80s films in “Stranger Things” you’re in for a treat. Wired has released a nearly 30-minute video featuring “Stranger Things” creators the Duffer Brothers highlighting “most of” the intentional movie references in “Stranger Things.” Check out the video below, or if you don’t have half an hour, I break down some of the highlights below the video.
Alien (1979) & Aliens (1986)
Both films had a huge influence on the series, from the flame thrower scene to the uncovering of a Demogorgon egg, to the overall atmosphere of The Upside Down numerous elements of season one and two were inspired by the classic sci-fi horror films.
Altered States (1980)
Brenner’s experiments with Eleven in the isolation chamber were heavily influenced by a similar chamber in Altered States.
Carrie (1976)
With developing Eleven, the Duffer Brothers regularly looked to Stephen King and Carrie for inspiration. “We talked about Eleven and this idea that she has these amazing abilities, but is she ultimately dangerous?” This is a theme that came up in season one when Eleven unknowingly uses her powers against Lucas during the fight scene in the junkyard.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
A number of scenes from “Stranger Things” have been inspired by Close Encounters of the Third Kind, from the imagery of the Mind Flayer in the sky, to Will’s charcoal drawings of the Mind Flayer, but perhaps the most direct homage to the film is when Will is first getting signals from The Upside Down and opens the door in season two, episode one. The scene is visually very similar to the scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind where Barry is kidnapped.
An additional homage to the film appears in season three when Dustin’s toys come to life in the premiere episode.
Cujo (1983)
In season 1 “Cujo” the book is directly referenced when a Hopper comes upon a State Trooper reading the book and author Stephen King’s photo is prominently featured on the back of the book. Additionally, the Demodog’s from season two are a nod to Cujo as well as the terror dogs in Ghostbusters.
E.T. (1982)
This homage is a bit more obvious, but in season one when the kids dress Eleven up to look like just another kid from Hawkins, it was a direct nod to the similar scene in E.T. where the kids disguise E.T. like a human.
The Duffer Brothers also looked to the trick or treating scenes in E.T. for inspiration for the costumes ideas to use for when the kids trick or treat in season two of “Stranger Things.”
Firestarter (1984)
Another Stephen King story, another inspiration for Eleven, this time in the form of another young girl with incredible powers. Not only does Firestarter share a similar theme of a young girl on the run from the government, but they also looked to Firestarter for inspiration in terms of how Eleven came to have her powers.
Frankenstein (1931)
Eleven is watching the classic Universal film Frankenstein in episode two of season two while home alone in Hoppers cabin and its placement was very intentional. The Duffer Brothers wanted to feature the film because at this stage in the series, Eleven is very much feeling like Frankenstein’s Monster, alone, isolated, and different from everyone else.
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins was a strong reference point for season two of “Stranger Things” particularly in the storyline of Dart, the baby Demodog that Dustin initially keeps as a pet. “Like Gizmo [Dart] begins as this sort of loving creature that Dustin is trying to take care of and he actually starts to care for this cute little thing,” explains Ross Duffer, “and of course we realize that it’s anything but, it’s a baby Demogorgon.”
As an added homage, the Duffer’s had the show’s composer create a theme similar to the Gremlins theme for when Dart escapes in season two, episode three, which you can hear in the video here.
Indiana Jones
Every film in the original Indiana Jones trilogy has received a nod from the Duffer Brothers at some point during “Stranger Things.”
In season two, episode nine the Duffers give a nod to Indiana Jones and the Template of Doom when Max drives Billy’s car and uses a block to reach the pedals, just like Short Round in Temple of Doom.
In the opening scene of “Stranger Things 3” the Duffers gave a nod to the ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark by obliterating the Russian scientists trying to open the gate, much like the Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark are obliterated after opening the ark.
Finally, the Duffers gave a nod to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade by having Steve and Robin banter back and forth when they are tied up, much like Indy and his father in the third Indiana Jones film.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
In season one when Holly sees the Demogorgon press itself through the wall, it was a direct nod to the scene in A Nightmare On Elm Street when Freddy Krueger pushes through the ceiling above Nancy’s bed.
Jaws (1975)
When it comes to Jaws’ inspiration in “Stranger Things” fans need look no further than Chief Hopper. The Duffers share the parallels of the character Hopper in “Stranger Things” with Chief Brody in Jaws. Both are chiefs of police in a small town dealing with something out of the ordinary. Hopper drives a car modeled after Brody’s, and finally, in season three they gave Hopper Mayor Larry Kline, a character inspired by Mayor Larry Vaughn in Jaws, who like Kline put his own interests above that of the police chiefs and the town.
Jurassic Park (1993)
The scene in season two, episode eight when Bob has to venture out and reset the power in Hawkins Lab in an effort to escape was directly influenced by the scene in Jurrasic Park where Ellie played by Laura Dern has to similarly restore power. But as Matt Duffer points out in the video, “It goes better for Laura Dern than it did for Bob.”
Additionally, the scenes where the kids are hiding from the monster in season three were heavily inspired by the infamous kitchen scene in Jurrasic Park where the kids are hiding from the velociraptors.
Risky Business (1983)
Another of the more direct references, in season two, Steve and Nancy attend the Halloween party dressed as characters from Risky Business, something easily missed if you aren’t super familiar with 80s classic starring Tom Cruise.
Stand By Me (1986)
There are a handful of homages to the 1986 classic, first season one episode four is titled “The Body,” which was the name of the Stephen King novella Stand By Me was adapted from. Additionally in both season one and season two of “Stranger Things” the kids are following train tracks to a location, which is a direct homage to the 1986 film.
An added bit of trivia, the Duffers shared that they had the kids audition using scenes from Stand By Me and actually assigned the kids a homework assignment of watching the film if they hadn’t.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
While there are obvious references to Star Wars throughout “Stranger Things” the Duffers parallel a few specific moments between the show and The Empire Strikes Back. First, the Duffers see Eight and Eleven very much as a Yoda and Luke comparison where what Eleven learns from Eight helps her to enhance and better harness her powers. In that same episode Eleven uses her powers to move a train car, a moment that very much evokes the scene where Luke tries to pull his X-Wing from the Dagobah swamp.
Super 8 (2011)
The Duffers drew inspiration from the 2011 Super 8 in season two, episode six when the kids take shelter from the Demodogs in a bus. When the Demodogs begin attacking the bus the scene plays out very similar to the bus scene in Super 8.
The Exorcist (1973)
In season two when Will is possessed by the Mind Flayer the Duffers drew inspiration from the pivotal possession film, The Exorcist. And while Will’s head never spins, there are definitely plenty of similarities between the performance by Noah Schnapp in “Stranger Things” and Linda Blaire’s in The Exorcist.
The Fog (1980)
In season three, there is a scene where Billy is in The Upside Down and he sees a number of figures coming towards him out of the fog. The scene is a direct nod to John Carpenters The Fog.
The Goonies (1985)
The Duffers overtly referenced The Goonies in season two of “Stranger Things” during the final episode when they enter the tunnels. The scene is a darker take on when the Goonies enter the tunnels in search of One-Eyed Willy’s treasure.
Witness (1985)
The Duffers used a scene from Peter Weir’s 1985 film The Witness as a template for how Eleven identifies Will in a photo as the person she saw in The Upside Down. If you watch the comparison in the video you see the scene was shot almost identically frame for frame.
It’s insane the number of films the Duffers have referenced in “Stranger Things,” but it also highlights that the two are more than just filmmakers, but connoisseurs of the medium. These may not be all of the film references, but the brothers admit the video highlights the majority of them.
