History of Stranger Things in Timeline

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Stranger Things

Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers, is a popular Netflix series blending horror, drama, science-fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age themes. Set in the 1980s, it follows a group of young friends in Hawkins, Indiana, as they encounter supernatural events linked to a parallel dimension called the Upside Down. Key plot points involve a girl with psychokinetic abilities named Eleven, government conspiracies, terrifying creatures, and the characters' personal struggles as they navigate adolescence amidst the extraordinary circumstances. The show's nostalgia-driven atmosphere and engaging storyline have made it a cultural phenomenon.

July 2015: Survive contacted for Stranger Things Soundtrack

Around July 2015, the Duffer Brothers contacted Survive to ask if they were still doing music. The band provided the production team with songs from their past to gain their interest in making the soundtrack for Stranger Things.

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 Stranger Things Viewership

In September 2016, Netflix analyzed viewership data and determined that Stranger Things "hooked" viewers by the second episode of the first season, meaning at least 70 percent of viewers who watched the second episode completed the entire first season.

2016: Series Announcement for 2016 Release

In 2016, after Netflix purchased the whole season for an undisclosed sum, the series was announced for a 2016 release.

February 16, 2017: David Cicilline's "Trump Things" Speech

On February 16, 2017, United States Representative David Cicilline compared the state of the nation under Donald Trump's presidency to the Upside Down from Stranger Things during a speech in Congress. He used a sign titled "Trump Things" in the show's style and said, "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

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

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October 4, 2017: Stranger Things: The Game Release

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

October 2017: Google's ARCore Technology Introduction

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

November 15, 2017: Release of 4K/Blu-ray combo pack of Stranger Things Season 1

On November 15, 2017, the 4K/Blu-ray combo pack of the first season of Stranger Things was released exclusively to Target retailers, featuring vintage CBS-FOX VHS-inspired packaging.

November 2017: Sesame Street's "Sharing Things" Spoof

In November 2017, Sesame Street released Sharing Things, a young audience-appropriate spoof of Stranger Things, featuring Cookie Monster as the "Cookiegorgon", Grover as Lucas, Ernie as Dustin, and several nods to the second season's narrative.

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

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

PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain™ Bundle (PSVR2)
PlayStation VR2 Horizon Call of The Mountain™ Bundle (PSVR2)

June 2018: Netflix and Telltale Games Partnership Announcement

In June 2018, Netflix announced plans for Telltale Games to produce an episodic adventure game based on the Stranger Things series. This was part of a larger partnership that aimed to bring other Telltale series as interactive movies on Netflix.

2018: Stranger Things 3: The Game Announced

During The Game Awards 2018, BonusXP announced Stranger Things 3: The Game, a tie-in for the third season of Stranger Things.

May 2019: Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons Starter Kit Published

In May 2019, Hasbro published a licensed Stranger Things-themed Dungeons & Dragons starter kit. It included instruction books, character sheets, dice, and a campaign called "The Hunt for the Thessalhydra", plus Demogorgon minifigs.

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May 2019: Lego Stranger Things "The Upside Down" Set Release

In May 2019, Lego introduced a Stranger Things set called "The Upside Down", based on the Byers' home and its replica in the Upside Down.

July 2019: Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 Podcast Release

In July 2019, a three-episode podcast titled Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 was released, hosted by Dan Taberski, offering insights into the making of the show's third season.

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September 17, 2019: Demogorgon Released in Dead by Daylight

In a September 17, 2019 update, the Demogorgon was released as a killer in Dead by Daylight, along with Nancy Wheeler and Steve Harrington as survivors.

October 20, 2019: The Simpsons' "Danger Things" Parody

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

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June 18, 2020: Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons Miniseries Announcement

On June 18, 2020, IDW Publishing and Dark Horse announced that they are co-publishing a Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons miniseries.

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July 23, 2020: Stranger Things: Halloween in Hawkins Announcement

On July 23, 2020, Dark Horse announced a prequel one-shot comic titled Stranger Things: Halloween in Hawkins.

September 2020: Stranger Things: Science Camp Miniseries Start

In September 2020, Dark Horse released Stranger Things: Science Camp, a four-issue miniseries.

October 13, 2020: Stranger Things: The Bully Graphic Novel Release

On October 13, 2020, the graphic novel Stranger Things: The Bully, written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Valeria Favoccia, was released. The story focuses on Troy and James during the events of the second season, with Troy dealing with PTSD after his encounter with Eleven.

Stranger Things: The Bully (Graphic Novel)
Stranger Things: The Bully (Graphic Novel)

2020: "The Upside Down" Lego Set Wins Toy of the Year Awards

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

2020: Stranger Things One-Shot Release

In 2020, a new Stranger Things one-shot comic book, written by Greg Pak, was released as part of Free Comic Book Day. The story is set after the Battle of Starcourt Mall from the third season.

November 2021: Netflix's Games Service Launch with Stranger Things Games

In November 2021, Netflix launched its Games service for its mobile app, featuring the Stranger Things mobile games.

November 2021: Pop-Up Stranger Things Stores Open

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

November 17, 2021: Stranger Things Chapter Removed from Dead by Daylight

On November 17, 2021, the Stranger Things chapter was removed from the game Dead by Daylight.

2021: Magic: The Gathering Stranger Things Crossover

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 Release

In 2021, Next Games released Stranger Things: Puzzle Tales, which evolved from a location-based game to a story-driven puzzle role-playing game.

2021: Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins Podcast Release

In mid-2021, the Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins six-episode scripted podcast, a companion to the Rebel Robin novel, was released. The podcast featured Maya Hawke reprising her role as Robin, Sean Maher as Mr. Hauser, and was written and directed by Lauren Shippen.

January 26, 2022: Stranger Things: Erica the Great! Graphic Novel Release

On January 26, 2022, Stranger Things: Erica the Great!, the third graphic novel, was released.

June 2022: Stranger Things Experience at Fourways Mall

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

July 1, 2022: Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2 Release

On July 1, 2022, the fourth season of Stranger Things, consisting of nine episodes, was released in two volumes on Netflix.

July 2022: Prequel Stage Play Revealed

In July 2022, it was revealed that a Stranger Things prequel stage play was in development, produced by Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry.

April 2023: Stranger Things and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Crossover Announcement

In April 2023, Dark Horse Comics and IDW Publishing announced a crossover miniseries between Stranger Things and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

November 6, 2023: Stranger Things Chapter Returned to Dead by Daylight

On November 6, 2023, the Stranger Things chapter was returned to the game Dead by Daylight.

February 22, 2024: Stranger Things VR Release

On February 22, 2024, Tender Claws released Stranger Things VR, an episodic VR game, across multiple major VR platforms.