History of Stranger Things in Timeline
Stranger Things is a popular American television series created by the Duffer Brothers and produced for Netflix. The first season premiered in July 2016, followed by subsequent seasons in 2017, 2019, and 2022. The fifth and final season is anticipated in 2025. The show is celebrated for its strong ensemble cast, engaging plot, and nostalgic atmosphere. It blends elements of horror, drama, science fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age themes.
1980: Montauk setting
In 1980, Montauk is set in Long Island and inspired by supernatural classics of that era.
November 1983: Will Byers' Abduction
In November 1983, the story of Stranger Things season 1 starts with the abduction of Will Byers by a creature from the Upside Down.
1983: Setting the show
In 1983, Stranger Things is set as the time period, since it was a year before the film Red Dawn came out, which focused on Cold War paranoia.
October 1984: Season 2 setting
The second season of Stranger Things is set eleven months after Will's rescue, in October 1984, where he experiences premonitions of the fall of Hawkins due to a creature in the Upside Down and is still possessed by an entity.
1985: Season 3 setting
In 1985, the third season of Stranger Things takes place, leading up to the Fourth of July celebration, where the Starcourt Mall becomes popular and a secret Soviet laboratory seeks to open the gateway to the Upside Down.
March 1986: Season 4 Setting
The fourth season of Stranger Things is set eight months later, in March 1986, and sees the Byers family moving to California where Eleven struggles with her powers, while in Hawkins, Vecna begins killing residents, opening gates between the worlds.
2000: Beetlejuice sequel discussions
Since 2000, Winona Ryder and Tim Burton had been discussing a possible Beetlejuice sequel, a condition Ryder set for accepting her role in Stranger Things.
2013: Inspiration from Prisoners film
In 2013, the Duffer brothers took the concept of the film Prisoners to develop the concept of Stranger Things.
2014: Duffer Brothers watch The Guest film
Since 2014, the Duffer Brothers had been fans of Survive's music since the film The Guest.
June 2015: Winona Ryder and David Harbour casting
In June 2015, Winona Ryder and David Harbour joined the cast of Stranger Things as Joyce and the unnamed chief of police, respectively.
July 2015: Survive contacted for music
Around July 2015, the Duffer Brothers contacted Survive to ask if they were still doing music for Stranger Things.
September 2015: Cara Buono joins the cast
In September 2015, Cara Buono joined the Stranger Things cast as Karen.
November 2015: Start of filming for season 1
In November 2015, filming of the first season of Stranger Things began extensively in Atlanta, Georgia.
November 2015: Filming location scouting
In November 2015, filming was scheduled and production started scouting locations in and around the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
2015: Duffer Brothers Film Hidden
In 2015, the Duffer Brothers wrote and produced the film Hidden, emulating the style of M. Night Shyamalan.
2015: Series rights purchased
In early 2015, 21 Laps Entertainment purchased the rights to the series from the Duffer Brothers, giving them full authorship.
July 15, 2016: Season 1 release on Netflix
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 Viewership Analysis
In a September 2016 analysis, Netflix found that Stranger Things "hooked" viewers by the second episode of the first season.
2016: Ranked Third-Best TV Show of the Year
In 2016, Stranger Things was ranked the third-best TV show of the year by The Guardian and Empire.
2016: Netflix purchases first season
In April 2016, Netflix purchased the whole first season of Stranger Things for an undisclosed sum and announced the series for a 2016 release.
2016: Filming Concludes
In early 2016, filming for the first season of Stranger Things concluded.
February 16, 2017: US Representative 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.
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 version of Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffed on the first part of "Chapter 1" of Stranger Things.
October 4, 2017: Netflix and BonusXP Release Stranger Things: The Game
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, on iOS and Android devices. The game features a retro-pixel art style similar to games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
October 2017: Google Uses Stranger Things AR Stickers to Introduce ARCore
In October 2017, Google used augmented reality (AR) "stickers" of Stranger Things characters to introduce its ARCore technology announced alongside its Pixel 2 phone.
October 2017: Season 2 release
In October 2017, the second season of Stranger Things was released.
October 17, 2017: Season 1 Blu-ray/DVD release
On October 17, 2017, the first season of Stranger Things was released on a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack exclusively to Target retailers.
October 27, 2017: Season 2 released on Netflix
On October 27, 2017, the second season of Stranger Things, consisting of nine episodes, was released on Netflix in HDR.
November 15, 2017: Season 1 4K/Blu-ray Release
On November 15, 2017, the first season of Stranger Things was released as a 4K/Blu-ray combo pack exclusively to Target retailers.
November 2017: Sesame Street Creates Sharing Things Spoof
In November 2017, Sesame Street created Sharing Things, a young audience-appropriate spoof of Stranger Things, featuring 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 PlayStation VR
On December 12, 2017, Sony Interactive Entertainment released Stranger Things: The VR Experience, a PlayStation 4-exclusive game for their PlayStation VR peripheral.
2017: Included on The Atlantic's Best TV Show List
In 2017, Stranger Things was included on The Atlantic's best TV show of the year list.
June 2018: Netflix Announces Telltale Games to Produce Stranger Things Game
In June 2018, Netflix announced plans for Telltale Games to produce an episodic adventure game based on the series.
September 2018: Telltale Games Cancels Stranger Things Game
In September 2018, Telltale Games cancelled the Stranger Things game project after laying off the majority of its staff.
November 6, 2018: Season 2 home media release
On November 6, 2018, the second season of Stranger Things received a similar release on Blu-ray/DVD as the first season.
2018: Stranger Things 3: The Game Announced
In 2018, BonusXP announced a second mobile game, Stranger Things 3: The Game, during The Game Awards.
May 2019: Hasbro Releases Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons Starter Kit
In May 2019, Hasbro released a Stranger Things-themed Dungeons & Dragons starter kit. This kit included instruction books, character sheets, dice, and a campaign titled "The Hunt for the Thessalhydra", which the children played in the first season, as well as Demogorgon minifigs.
May 2019: Lego Introduces "The Upside Down" Stranger Things Set
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.
July 4, 2019: Season 3 release
On July 4, 2019, the third season of Stranger Things, consisting of eight episodes, was released.
July 2019: Season 3 release
In July 2019, the third season of Stranger Things was released.
July 2019: Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 Podcast Released
In July 2019, the three episode Behind The Scenes: Stranger Things 3 podcast was released, hosted by Dan Taberski. The podcast focuses on the making of the show's third season.
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 Airs Danger Things Parody
On October 20, 2019, The Simpsons episode "Treehouse of Horror XXX" included the segment Danger Things, a parody of Stranger Things.
January 2020: Filming set to begin
In January 2020, filming for the fourth season of Stranger Things was slated to begin.
February 2020: Season 4 production confirmed
In February 2020, the Duffer Brothers confirmed that production for the fourth season of Stranger Things had started with a teaser release.
March 2020: Production halted due to COVID-19
In March 2020, production of the fourth season was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 2020: Production Resumes
In September 2020, production for the fourth season of Stranger Things resumed after being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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: Netflix Launches Games Service with Stranger Things Mobile Games
In November 2021, Netflix used both Stranger Things mobile games to launch its Games service for its mobile app.
November 2021: Netflix Opens Pop-Up Stranger Things Stores
Starting in November 2021, Netflix began opening 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: Ranked in BBC Culture's 100 Greatest TV Series
In 2021, BBC Culture ranked Stranger Things at number 68 in the 100 greatest television series of the 21st century.
2021: Magic: The Gathering Releases Stranger Things Crossover Cards
In 2021, Magic: The Gathering featured 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 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, the 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.
February 2022: Series renewed for final season
In February 2022, Netflix renewed the series for a fifth and final season.
June 2022: Stranger Things Experience at 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 1, 2022: Season 4 Volume 2 Release
On July 1, 2022, the second volume of the fourth season, consisting of nine episodes, was released.
July 2022: Prequel Stage Play in the Works
In July 2022, it was revealed that a prequel stage play was in the works, to be produced by Sonia Friedman and Stephen Daldry.
July 2022: Season 4 Part 2 release
In July 2022, the second part of the fourth season of Stranger Things was released.
March 2023: Stranger Things: The First Shadow Announced
In March 2023, the prequel stage play was announced as Stranger Things: The First Shadow, written by Kate Trefry.
June 2023: Expected filming start of Season 5
According to David Harbour, filming of the fifth season of Stranger Things was expected to start in June 2023, but was delayed by the Writers Guild of America strike.
November 6, 2023: Stranger Things Chapter Returns to Dead by Daylight
On November 6, 2023, the Stranger Things chapter was returned to the game Dead by Daylight.
December 14, 2023: Stranger Things: The First Shadow Premieres in London
On December 14, 2023, Stranger Things: The First Shadow premiered at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End.
January 8, 2024: Production begins for Season 5
Production for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things began on January 8, 2024.
February 22, 2024: Stranger Things VR Released on Multiple VR Platforms
On February 22, 2024, Stranger Things VR, an episodic VR game developed and published by Tender Claws, was released on multiple major VR platforms.
August 2024: Stranger Things: The First Shadow transfers to Broadway
In August 2024, it was announced that the show would transfer to Broadway in Spring 2025. Previews are expected to begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025. The play's official opening date is scheduled for April 22, 2025.
November 2024: Final Season premiere date
In November 2024, Netflix announced the final season was due to premiere in 2025.
March 28, 2025: Stranger Things: The First Shadow Broadway previews begin
Previews are expected to begin at the Marquis Theatre on March 28, 2025, for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a stage play.
April 22, 2025: Stranger Things: The First Shadow official opening date
The official opening date is scheduled for April 22, 2025, for Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a stage play.
2025: Expected premiere of final season
In 2025, the premiere of the fifth and final season is expected.
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