27 essential movies every 'Stranger Things' fan should watch

Kim RenfroAug 26, 2020, 00:07 IST

"Stranger Things" paid homage to the 1984 film "Firestarter."Netflix/Universal Pictures

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for "Stranger Things."
Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things" is a "love letter to the '80s."
Movies like "Jaws," "Stand By Me", "E.T.," and "Firestarter" inspired themes and scenes throughout all three seasons of the show.

Matt and Ross Duffer, known as The Duffer Brothers, co-created Netflix's hit series "Stranger Things" as "a love letter to the '80s classics that captivated a generation." We've already broken down all the specific references the second season made to older movies, but now we're here to give you the list of movies every "Stranger Things" superfan needs to watch (or rewatch).

Keep reading for a look at 27 essential films "Stranger Things" drew inspiration from.

"The Exorcist" (1973)

Will's possession on "Stranger Things" was similar to "The Exorcist." Warner Bros.

"Jaws" (1975)

The Demogorgon was based on the giant shark in Steven Spielberg's first blockbuster hit. Jaws/IMDB

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978)

The Duffer brothers say this is one of their favorite movies and fans have drawn connections between it and scenes from the series. Allied Artists Pictures

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977)

The "Stranger Things" scene of Will seeing the Mind Flayer replicated this shot. Columbia Pictures

"The Shining" (1980)

Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance was inspiration for Billy's character. Warner Bros.

"Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back" (1980)

Yoda training Luke was similar to Kali training Eleven on season two. Lucasfilm

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (1982)

"E.T." was also directed by Steven Spielberg. Universal Pictures

"The Thing" (1982)

The Duffer brothers frequently cite director John Carpenter as an inspiration, plus Will has a poster of this movie in his bedroom. Universal Pictures

"Poltergeist" (1982)

Steven Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay for "Poltergeist," which influenced many visuals on "Stranger Things." "Poltergeist"/MGM

"Firestarter" (1984)

Drew Barrymore's character has several parallels to Eleven on "Stranger Things." Universal Pictures

"Gremlins" (1984)

Dustin's pet Dart on "Stranger Things 2" was an homage to Gizmo the Gremlin. Warner Bros.

"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984)

All three Indiana Jones movies, directed by Steven Spielberg, have influenced "Stranger Things." LucasFilm

"Ghostbusters" (1984)

The kids on "Stranger Things" dressed as the Ghostbusters for Halloween in 1984. Columbia Pictures

"The Goonies" (1985)

Sean Astin starred in "The Goonies" and on "Stranger Things 2." "The Goonies"/Warner Bros.

"St. Elmo's Fire" (1985)

Rob Lowe's character in this movie inspired Billy's entire look on "Stranger Things 2." St. Elmo's Fire, screenshot

"Stand By Me" (1986)

The train tracks are an iconic part of "Stand By Me." Columbia Pictures via YouTube

Stephen King's "It" (adapted in both 1990 and 2017)

The boys fighting off monsters is greatly influenced by "It." Also, "Stranger Things" actor Finn Wolfhard was also in 2017's "It." Brooke Palmer/Warner Bros.

"Jurassic Park" (1993)

Many of the Demogorgon fight scenes on "Stranger Things 2" were akin to "Jurassic Park." Universal

"Back to the Future" (1985)

This movie is featured in a scene on "Stranger Things 3." Universal Pictures

"Day of the Dead" (1985)

All three of George A. Romero's zombie trilogy movies are worth the watch. United Film

"The NeverEnding Story" (1984)

Dustin and Suzie sing the title song from this beloved fantasy movie on "Stranger Things 3." Warner Bros.

"The Terminator" (1984)

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton star in this iconic action film. Orion Pictures

"Die Hard" (1988)

The air duct scenes on "Stranger Things 3" evoked "Die Hard." Twentieth Century Fox

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982)

Sean Penn is one of the stars of this teen-movie classic. Universal Pictures

"Red Dawn" (1984)

Patrick Swayze stars in this movie about high schoolers and a Russian invasion. MGM

"Alien" (1979)

Ridley Scott's "Alien" and the sequel "Aliens" are sci-fi/horror classics. Twentieth Century-Fox Productions

"Aliens" (1986)

Paul Reiser was in this sequel to "Alien" and "Stranger Things 2." 20th Century Fox

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