When Stranger Things first dropped in 2016, it felt less like a new show and more like someone had cracked open a sealed VHS time capsule from a Blockbuster.But what looked like simple nostalgia was actually something more deliberate—and frankly, more clever. The Duffer Brothers, aside from riding the retro wave, were curating a cinematic mixtape of the movies they grew up on. The Spielberg adventures, the King-flavored chills, the John Hughes angst, the Carpenter dread—it’s all there, lovingly folded into the show’s DNA.A very smart move by Matt and Ross Duffer—instead of making a show about the ‘80s, they made one that feels like it was made in the ‘80s. That’s a big difference. Their reference points were beyond props and Easter eggs—they were out-and-out storytelling tools. They weren’t cherry-picked just to look cool. These iconic ‘80s films are baked deep into the series’ emotional tone, character arcs, camera movements, lighting choices, and sound design.The Duffers have never been shy about their influences. They’ve mentioned their weekly childhood ritual of renting VHS tapes from the local video store, absorbing a strange but potent mix of Spielberg, Carpenter, Lucas, Cronenberg, and King.The result? A show that pays homage without pastiche, that salutes its heroes while finding its own voice.So, let’s break down the key films from the 1980s that shaped Stranger Things and helped it come alive—one flickering neon frame at a time.The Spielbergian Heartbeat1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)Written by: Melissa Mathison | Directed by: Steven Spielberg In E.T., a...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today