"Stranger Things" is a popular Netflix series blending science fiction and horror. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the show premiered in 2016 and has released four seasons, with a fifth and final season scheduled for 2025. The story unfolds in the 1980s and revolves around supernatural events in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.
The initial concept for "Stranger Things," originally titled "Montauk," emerged, envisioning an eight-hour sci-fi horror saga set in Long Island in 1980. Inspired by the era's supernatural classics, the concept aimed to blend human drama with supernatural fear, paying homage to icons like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King.
In November 1983, Will Byers is abducted by a creature from the Upside Down, setting the stage for the first season of "Stranger Things". His mother, Joyce, Police Chief Jim Hopper, and a group of Will's friends search for him, encountering a mysterious young girl named Eleven along the way.
The Duffers delved into "bizarre experiments" from the Cold War era, such as Project MKUltra, to ground the monster's existence in science. This led them to set the series in 1983, a year before the release of the Cold War paranoia film "Red Dawn." The Duffers seamlessly integrated their personal experiences and nostalgia from the 1980s, the decade they were born, into the show's fabric.
Set in October 1984, the second season sees Will Byers experiencing premonitions of a looming danger to Hawkins from the Upside Down. As his friends and family try to help him, they uncover a larger threat to their world.
To coincide with the third season of "Stranger Things," which is set in 1985, Coca-Cola issued a limited-edition run of New Coke, which was first introduced that year.
The third season, set in 1985, centers around the new Starcourt Mall, which has become a central point of interest in Hawkins. Meanwhile, a secret Soviet laboratory operating beneath the mall seeks to open a gateway to the Upside Down, adding another layer of danger to the town.
In March of 1986, as Eleven adjusts to life in California without her powers, a new entity from the Upside Down, later called Vecna, emerges in Hawkins, killing residents and opening gateways between dimensions. Meanwhile, Joyce and Murray embark on a daring mission to Russia to rescue Hopper from captivity.
The 1992 publication of "The Montauk Project: Experiments in Time" brought to light the urban legend of the Montauk Project, which served as the inspiration for the supernatural events in the area.
The Duffer brothers had already begun working on the concept for "Stranger Things" as early as 2010, according to evidence.
At the 2012 Hamptons International Film Festival, Charlie Kessler debuted his short film, "Montauk."
The Duffers drew inspiration from the 2013 film "Prisoners," particularly its exploration of a father's moral struggle after his daughter's kidnapping. They aimed to expand on this concept in a serialized television format, incorporating "childlike sensibilities" and a monster that could consume humans.
Charlie Kessler presented his movie "Montauk" to the Duffer brothers at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014, and he later provided them with the "script, ideas, story, and film" for a larger cinematic concept he dubbed "The Montauk Project."
The electronic band Survive, who would later compose the soundtrack for Stranger Things, gained recognition for their work on the film "The Guest".
In a significant casting move in June 2015, Winona Ryder and David Harbour joined the "Stranger Things" cast as Joyce and the unnamed police chief, respectively. Ryder's casting was inspired by her prominence in 1980s films.
Around July 2015, the Duffer Brothers reached out to Survive, having been fans of their work since the 2014 film "The Guest".
Cara Buono joins the cast of "Stranger Things" as Karen.
Filming for "Stranger Things" commenced in November 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, the Duffer brothers had hoped to film on Long Island, New York, to align with the initial "Montauk" concept. However, the cold weather conditions during the scheduled filming period posed challenges.
In November 2015, the filming of Stranger Things season 1 began. It was primarily shot in Atlanta, Georgia, with Jackson serving as the inspiration for the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.
In early 2015, the Duffers' script for "Stranger Things", initially titled "Montauk," caught the attention of 21 Laps Entertainment. Recognizing its potential, they secured the rights for the series, granting the Duffers full creative control. Impressed by the pilot episode, Netflix acquired the entire first season, setting the stage for the show's debut.
In 2015, Matt and Ross Duffer, the creators of "Stranger Things", wrote and produced a film called "Hidden," drawing inspiration from the style of M. Night Shyamalan. While "Hidden" didn't see a wide release, it played a pivotal role in the Duffers' journey. Impressed by the script, television producer Donald De Line connected them with Shyamalan, leading to their mentorship and work on an episode of "Wayward Pines." This experience proved crucial in preparing them to create "Stranger Things."
The first season of the American science fiction horror drama television series "Stranger Things" premiered on Netflix on July 15, 2016.
In September 2016, Netflix discovered that Stranger Things "hooked" viewers by the second episode of the first season, indicating that at least 70% of viewers who watched that episode went on to finish the entire first season.
"Stranger Things" was ranked as the third-best television program of 2016 by The Guardian and Empire.
Filming for the first season of Stranger Things concluded in early 2016.
Netflix officially announced the upcoming release of "Stranger Things" in April 2016, generating anticipation among viewers.
In a memorable speech delivered in Congress on February 16, 2017, United States Representative David Cicilline drew a compelling parallel between the state of the nation under Donald Trump's presidency and the Upside Down from Stranger Things.
Coinciding with its Netflix release on April 14, 2017, the rebooted version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 treated audiences to a hilarious riffing session on the first part of "Chapter 1" from Stranger Things.
In September 2017, several media outlets reported on a cease-and-desist letter that a Netflix in-house attorney had given to the proprietor of a Chicago bar with a "Stranger Things" theme.
On October 4, 2017, Netflix and BonusXP released a free mobile game tie-in for Stranger Things, available for both iOS and Android devices. The game boasted a retro-pixel art style reminiscent of classic Super Nintendo Entertainment System games. Players were immersed in a story loosely based on the aftermath of Stranger Things' first season, starting their journey as Chief Jim Hopper in search of the missing boys.
In October 2017, Google cleverly incorporated augmented reality (AR) "stickers" featuring iconic Stranger Things characters to introduce its groundbreaking ARCore technology alongside the launch of its Pixel 2 phone.
The second season of "Stranger Things" was released in October 2017.
On October 17, 2017, Target stores exclusively began selling a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack of the first season of Stranger Things.
The second season of Stranger Things, comprising nine episodes, was released in HDR on October 27, 2017.
November 2017 saw Sesame Street, the beloved children's show, unveil its own lighthearted spoof of Stranger Things, aptly titled "Sharing Things." The parody featured Cookie Monster as the endearing "Cookiegorgon," Grover as the resourceful Lucas, and Ernie as the ever-curious Dustin, all while cleverly weaving in nods to the narrative of Stranger Things' second season.
On November 15, 2017, a 4K/Blu-ray combo pack of Stranger Things season one was made available exclusively at Target locations.
The Atlantic included "Stranger Things" on its list of the top television programs of 2017.
Filmmaker Charlie Kessler filed a lawsuit against the Duffer brothers in April 2018, alleging that they used the premise of his short film "Montauk" to create "Stranger Things."
Netflix announced in June 2018 its collaboration with Telltale Games to develop an episodic adventure game based on the hit series Stranger Things.
The Stranger Things game project, under development by Telltale Games, was unfortunately cancelled in September 2018 following major staff layoffs at Telltale.
Dark Horse Comics announced a multi-year partnership with Netflix on September 26, 2018, to develop a line of comics set in the "Stranger Things" world. The first installment, a four-issue miniseries written by Jody Houser with art by Stefano Martino, debuted on the same day, focusing on Will's experiences in the Upside Down during the first season.
Penguin Random House and Netflix released "Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down: The Official Behind-The-Scenes Companion" on October 30, 2018, offering fans a glimpse behind the scenes of the popular show.
On November 6, 2018, the second season of Stranger Things was released on DVD and Blu-ray.
On November 13, 2018, as part of a collaboration between Penguin Random House and Netflix, "How to Survive in a Stranger Things World," a children's book offering advice and insights from the "Stranger Things" universe, was released.
At The Game Awards 2018, BonusXP announced the development of a second Stranger Things mobile game: Stranger Things 3: The Game.
Gwenda Bond's novel "Suspicious Minds," released on February 5, 2019, delves into the backstory of Eleven's mother, Terry Ives, and her experiences with Dr. Brenner at the Hawkins laboratory in 1969, predating the events of the first season.
On March 26, 2019, Penguin Random House and Netflix released a two-in-one "Hawkins Middle School Yearbook/Hawkins High School Yearbook," further expanding the "Stranger Things" universe.
In April 2019, the judge rejected the Duffer brothers' request for summary judgment, enabling Kessler's case to go to trial.
As part of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) on May 4, 2019, Dark Horse Comics released a special "Stranger Things" comic titled "The Game Master." Written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Ibrahim Moustafa, the story takes place shortly after the events of the first season.
Kessler withdrew his lawsuit right before the trial was set to start in May 2019 after hearing the depositions and reviewing documents dating back to 2010 that demonstrated the Duffers had independently developed the idea for "Stranger Things."
Lego delighted fans in May 2019 with the release of its Stranger Things set, aptly named "The Upside Down." The set featured a meticulously detailed recreation of the Byers' home and its eerie counterpart in the Upside Down.
May 2019 saw Hasbro release a special Stranger Things-themed Dungeons & Dragons starter kit. This kit not only included the essentials like instruction books, character sheets, and dice but also featured a campaign penned from the perspective of Mike Wheeler himself, titled "The Hunt for the Thessalhydra". To top it off, the kit came complete with Demogorgon minifigs.
Released on May 28, 2019, Adam Christopher's "Darkness on the Edge of Town" follows Hopper as he shares details of his past in 1970s New York City with Eleven, expanding on his story after the second season.
The second "Stranger Things" comic title, "Stranger Things: Six," launched on May 29, 2019. This four-part miniseries, written by Jody Houser with art by Edgar Salazar, centers around Francine, a young girl with precognitive abilities who was part of Dr. Brenner's experiments before Eleven.
Brenna Yovanoff's young adult novel, "Runaway Max," released on June 4, 2019, offers a glimpse into Max Mayfield's life in San Diego before her move to Hawkins in 1984, providing an alternate perspective on events from the second season.
The third season of Stranger Things, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on July 4, 2019.
July 2019 saw the release of a three-part podcast titled "Behind the Scenes: Stranger Things 3", offering listeners a glimpse into the making of the show's third season. The podcast was hosted by Dan Taberski.
The third season of "Stranger Things" premiered in July 2019.
The popular asymmetric multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight received a chilling update on September 17, 2019, introducing the terrifying Demogorgon as a playable killer.
"Will Byers' Secret Files" was released on September 24, 2019.
October 15, 2019, saw the release of "Visions from the Upside Down: Stranger Things Artbook."
On October 20, 2019, The Simpsons aired an episode titled "Treehouse of Horror XXX," which featured a segment called "Danger Things," parodying Stranger Things.
In the second quarter of 2019, UK publisher Obverse Books released a book penned by Paul Driscoll as part of its Silver Archive series, delving into the first season of "Stranger Things."
Filming for the fourth season of Stranger Things, which was planned to have eight episodes beginning with "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club," was scheduled to begin in January 2020 and end in August 2020.
January 2020 saw the premiere of "Stranger Things: Into the Fire," a four-issue comic miniseries serving as a sequel to the "Six" miniseries and set before the third season. The creative team consisted of writer Jody Houser, penciler Ryan Kelly, and inker Le Beau Underwood.
The Duffer Brothers confirmed that production on Stranger Things season 4 had begun in February 2020 with the release of a teaser.
Dark Horse Comics released "Stranger Things: Zombie Boys," an original graphic novel set after the first season, on February 19, 2020. The 72-page story was crafted by writer Greg Pak, artist Valeria Favoccia, letterer Nate Piekos, colorist Dan Jackson, and cover artist Ron Chan.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production of Stranger Things season 4 was put on hold in March 2020.
Monsa Publications of Spain released "Stranger Things: Tribute" on May 1, 2020, a volume featuring artwork and text in both Spanish and English that pays homage to the series.
On June 18, 2020, IDW Publishing and Dark Horse Comics announced their collaboration on a miniseries combining the worlds of Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons.
On July 23, 2020, Dark Horse revealed their plans to release a prequel one-shot comic titled "Stranger Things: Halloween in Hawkins".
Dark Horse launched its fourth Stranger Things miniseries, titled "Stranger Things: Science Camp", in September 2020. The miniseries spanned four issues.
In September 2020, production on Stranger Things season 4 started back up.
"Stranger Things: The Bully," a second original graphic novel from Dark Horse Comics, hit shelves on October 13, 2020. Written by Greg Pak with illustrations by Valeria Favoccia, the story centers around Troy and James during the events of the second season as Troy grapples with PTSD following his encounter with Eleven.
In 2020, Lego's "The Upside Down" set received prestigious recognition, being crowned "Toy of the Year" and "Specialty Toy of the Year" by the esteemed Toy Association.
For Free Comic Book Day 2020, Dark Horse Comics released another "Stranger Things" one-shot comic. Written by Greg Pak, the story unfolds shortly after the Battle of Starcourt Mall, as depicted in the third season of the show.
June 15, 2021, marked the release of "Stranger Things: The Official Sticker Album."
A.R. Capetta's young adult novel "Rebel Robin," released on June 29, 2021, explores Robin Buckley's journey of self-discovery and acceptance leading up to the events of season 3.
In November 2021, Netflix utilized the two existing Stranger Things mobile games to officially launch its video games service, integrated directly into its mobile app.
On November 17, 2021, the Stranger Things chapter, featuring the Demogorgon, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harrington, was removed from Dead by Daylight.
A six-episode scripted podcast titled "Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins", serving as a companion to the "Rebel Robin" novel, was released in mid-2021.
Beginning in 2021, Netflix began captivating fans with the launch of pop-up Stranger Things Stores in various cities. These stores offered a unique blend of retail therapy and immersive experiences for fans of the show.
In 2021, Magic: The Gathering released a special "Secret Lair" series that featured a collection of crossover cards inspired by the world of Stranger Things.
Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, the third mobile game set in the Stranger Things universe, was released in 2021. Developed by Next Games, the game took the form of a story-driven puzzle RPG.
The third graphic novel in the Stranger Things series, "Stranger Things: Erica the Great!", was released on January 26, 2022.
Netflix announced the renewal of Stranger Things for a fifth and final season in February 2022.
Matthew J. Gilbert's "Hawkins Horrors," a collection of scary stories told from the perspective of the Party, was released on May 3, 2022.
From June 16 to 19, 2022, Netflix South Africa joined forces with Fourways Mall to bring the captivating Stranger Things Experience to life. This followed a successful run of the Experience at the Canal Walk Mall in Cape Town.
On June 28, 2022, "Stranger Things: The Official Coloring Book" was released.
On July 1, 2022, the second volume of Stranger Things season 4 was made available.
A "Stranger Things"-themed Little Golden Book, titled "Stranger Things: We Can Count on Eleven," was released on July 5, 2022.
In July 2022, Netflix faced criticism from Jewish and Roma groups for using Lukiškės Prison, a site connected to the Holocaust, as a filming location for "Stranger Things" season four. The controversy escalated due to a partnership with Go Vilnius, offering a "Stranger Things"-themed prison cell rental on Airbnb, and Netflix's social media posts that were deemed insensitive. A petition demanding closure of the rental and an apology from Netflix gained significant traction, prompting Go Vilnius to suspend the listing indefinitely.
In July 2022, news broke about the development of a spinoff series set in the "Stranger Things" universe.
News broke in July 2022 that a prequel stage play set in the world of Stranger Things was in the works, produced by the renowned duo Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry.
The fourth season of "Stranger Things" was released in two parts in May and July of 2022.
Released on July 26, 2022, Suyi Davies Okungbowa's novel "Lucas on the Line" picks up after the third season, focusing on Lucas's perspective and experiences.
Insight Editions released the "Stranger Things Tarot Deck and Guidebook" on August 16, 2022.
August 30, 2022, saw the release of "Stranger Things: The Ultimate Pop-up Book," also published by Insight Editions.
Reports emerged in December 2022 hinting at a potential anime spinoff titled "Stranger Things: Tokyo." However, neither Netflix nor the Duffer Brothers have officially confirmed the existence of this series.
On March 1, 2023, the highly anticipated Stranger Things stage play was officially announced as "Stranger Things: The First Shadow," written by Kate Trefry.
In April 2023, Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publishing joined forces once again to announce a crossover miniseries, this time blending the worlds of Stranger Things and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
In April 2023, Netflix announced a straight-to-series order for an animated series set within the "Stranger Things" universe. Produced by Flying Bark Productions, with Eric Robles and the Duffer Brothers at the helm, the series' connection to the rumored "Stranger Things: Tokyo" anime remains unclear.
On April 18, 2023, "Stranger Things: Heroes and Monsters," a Choose Your Own Adventure book, hit the shelves.
David Harbour had said that filming for the fifth season of Stranger Things was supposed to begin in June 2023. The Duffer Brothers announced on Twitter that the start of filming for the fifth and final season has been postponed due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.
"Flight of Icarus," a novel penned by series writer Caitlin Schneiderhan, was released on October 31, 2023, shedding light on the backstory of fan-favorite character Eddie Munson.
Fans rejoiced as the Stranger Things chapter, complete with the Demogorgon, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harrington, made a triumphant return to Dead by Daylight on November 6, 2023.
"Stranger Things: The First Shadow" premiered on December 14, 2023, captivating audiences at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End.
Monsa Publications is set to release "Stranger Things: Tribute 1983/1986" on January 1, 2024, another bilingual volume celebrating the series through artwork and commentary.
As of January 2024, several Stranger Things Store locations had closed their doors, including those in New York City, Chicago, Paris, Miami, and Dallas. However, fans could still immerse themselves in the world of Stranger Things at the remaining locations in Las Vegas and São Paulo.
Another Little Golden Book, "Inside, Outside, Upside Down," is slated for release on July 9, 2024.
The fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" is expected to be released sometime in 2025.