History of Stranger Things in Timeline

Stranger Things is a popular American science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers and released on Netflix. Set primarily in the 1980s, the series blends horror, drama, science fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age elements, known for its nostalgic tones. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series focuses on supernatural events and government experiments, often involving the 'Upside Down', an alternate dimension. The main cast of characters includes teenagers navigating friendship, love, and dangerous supernatural forces. The series began in 2016, with subsequent seasons released in 2017, 2019, and 2022, and is scheduled to conclude with a fifth season in 2025.

1984: Stranger Things: The Game also known as Stranger Things: 1984

In 1984, Netflix and BonusXP released a free mobile game tie-in for Stranger Things, called Stranger Things: The Game, also known as Stranger Things: 1984, for iOS and Android devices. The game uses a retro-pixel style of art, similar to games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and is loosely based on the Stranger Things story after season one.

1985: Cancelled Stranger Things game timeline

The cancelled Stranger Things game developed by Telltale Games, that was expected in 1985, would have taken place in the spring of 1985, bridging the events of the second and third season.

July 15, 2016: Stranger Things Season 1 Release

On July 15, 2016, the first season of Stranger Things, produced by Monkey Massacre Productions and 21 Laps Entertainment, was released on Netflix.

September 2016: Netflix Analysis of Viewer Engagement

In September 2016, Netflix's analysis revealed that Stranger Things effectively "hooked" viewers by the second episode of the first season.

2016: Stranger Things Named One of the Best TV Shows of the Year

In 2016, Stranger Things was ranked as the third-best TV show of the year by The Guardian and Empire.

2016: Series Announcement for 2016 Release

In April 2016, after Netflix purchased the whole season based on the pilot, the series was announced for a 2016 release.

2016: Filming of First Season Concludes

In early 2016, filming for the first season of Stranger Things wrapped up after extensive work in Atlanta, Georgia.

February 16, 2017: David Cicilline compares Trump's presidency to Stranger Things

On February 16, 2017, United States Representative David Cicilline compared the state of the nation during the presidency of Donald Trump to that of Stranger Things during a speech given in Congress, using a sign "Trump Things" in the same format as the title card of the series and saying "Like the main characters in Stranger Things, we are now stuck in the Upside Down".

April 14, 2017: Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffs on Stranger Things

As part of its release on Netflix on April 14, 2017, the cast of the rebooted version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffed on the first part of "Chapter 1" of Stranger Things.

October 4, 2017: Stranger Things: The Game released

On October 4, 2017, Netflix and BonusXP released a free mobile game tie-in for Stranger Things, called Stranger Things: The Game, also known as Stranger Things: 1984, for iOS and Android devices. The game uses a retro-pixel style of art, similar to games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and is loosely based on the Stranger Things story after season one.

October 2017: Google uses Stranger Things AR stickers

In October 2017, Google used augmented reality (AR) "stickers" of Stranger Things characters to introduce its ARCore technology announced alongside its Pixel 2 phone.

November 2017: Sesame Street creates Stranger Things spoof

In November 2017, Sesame Street created a young audience-appropriate spoof of Stranger Things, called Sharing Things; it featured Cookie Monster as the "Cookiegorgon", Grover as Lucas, Ernie as Dustin, and included several nods to the narrative of the second season.

December 12, 2017: Stranger Things: The VR Experience released

On December 12, 2017, Sony Interactive Entertainment released Stranger Things: The VR Experience, a PlayStation 4-exclusive game based on Stranger Things, for their PlayStation VR peripheral.

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June 2018: Netflix announces Stranger Things game with Telltale Games

In June 2018, Netflix announced plans for Telltale Games to produce an episodic adventure game based on the series, as part of a larger partnership that would see ports of other Telltale series as interactive movies on Netflix.

September 2018: Stranger Things game cancelled after Telltale layoffs

In September 2018, the Stranger Things game being developed by Telltale Games was cancelled after Telltale laid off the majority of its staff.

2018: Stranger Things 3: The Game announced

During The Game Awards 2018, a second mobile game by BonusXP, Stranger Things 3: The Game, was announced as a tie-in for Stranger Things's third season.

May 2019: Dungeons & Dragons Stranger Things starter kit released

In May 2019, Hasbro published a Stranger Things-themed Dungeons & Dragons starter kit. The kit included instruction books, character sheets, dice, and a campaign called "The Hunt for the Thessalhydra", which the children played in the first season, as well as Demogorgon minifigs.

May 2019: Lego introduced Stranger Things set "The Upside Down"

In May 2019, Lego introduced a Stranger Things set called "The Upside Down", based on a version of the Byers' home and its replica in the Upside Down. Netflix partnered with Epic Games to include some elements of Stranger Things as cosmetics in Fortnite Battle Royale in the weeks preceding the show's third season launch. Stranger Things DLC for the VR game Face Your Fears was also released.

July 2019: Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 podcast released

In July 2019, a three episode Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 podcast was released, taking a look at the making of the show's third season. It was hosted by Dan Taberski.

September 17, 2019: Demogorgon released in Dead by Daylight

Within a September 17, 2019 update for the asymmetric multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight, the Demogorgon was released as one of the killers, along with Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington as survivors.

October 20, 2019: The Simpsons parodies Stranger Things in 'Treehouse of Horror XXX'

On October 20, 2019, The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror XXX" aired, which included the segment Danger Things, a parody of Stranger Things.

2020: "The Upside Down" Lego set awarded "Toy of the Year"

In 2020, The Upside Down Lego set was awarded "Toy of the Year" and also "Specialty Toy of the Year" by the Toy Association.

November 2021: Stranger Things mobile games used to launch Netflix's Games service

In November 2021, both Stranger Things mobile games were used to launch Netflix's Games service for its mobile app.

November 2021: Stranger Things Stores opened

Starting in November 2021, Netflix opened pop-up Stranger Things Stores, which blend both retail and immersive experiences, in several cities.

November 17, 2021: Stranger Things chapter removed from Dead by Daylight

The Stranger Things chapter, featuring the Demogorgon, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harrington, was removed from Dead by Daylight on November 17, 2021.

2021: Stranger Things crossover with Magic: The Gathering

In 2021, Magic: The Gathering included a series of Stranger Things crossover cards as part of its special "Secret Lair" series.

2021: Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales released

In 2021, Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, a third mobile game developed by Next Games, was released as a story-driven puzzle role-playing game.

2021: Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins podcast released

In mid-2021, a six-episode scripted podcast companion to the Rebel Robin novel, entitled Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins, was released. Maya Hawke reprises her role as Robin, Sean Maher plays her favorite teacher Mr. Hauser, and Lauren Shippen writes and directs.

June 2022: Stranger Things Experience operated in Fourways Mall

From 16 to 19 June 2022, Netflix South Africa partnered with Fourways Mall to operate the Stranger Things Experience. The Experience previously operated at the Canal Walk Mall in Cape Town.

July 2022: Prequel stage play in the works

In July 2022, it was revealed that a Stranger Things prequel stage play was in the works. The stage play will be produced by Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry.