If you love Stranger Things for its endangered kids, eerie monsters, psychic powers, or 1980s teen atmosphere, these 20 films offer a good next watch. They are grouped by mood, not ranked. A few are documented inspirations or explicit references; others are companions chosen for a similar feel, and the distinction matters.
The Duffer Brothers describe their influences as broad: “I mean, there’s so many influences. Movies, and video games, and books, and then some of our own imagination.” Netflix Tudum published the interview transcript on March 5, 2024. The list below is an editorial selection, not an official or definitive canon.
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Movies for kids, friendship, and adventure
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
A natural starting point if the show’s children outsmarting adults is what you enjoy. The British Film Institute identifies E.T. as one of the most obvious cinematic inspirations for the first series; What Hi-Fi? also draws a comparison between the children-versus-authority dynamic and the show’s tone. BFI’s discussion of the series’ influences and What Hi-Fi?’s watch-next guide make the connection from different angles.
The Goonies (1985)
For a young-friends-on-an-adventure story, try The Goonies. The BFI includes it among the most obvious inspirations for the first season’s plot, characters, and tone. Its clearest point of connection is the appeal of a group of young friends facing danger together.
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Stand by Me (1986)
This is the pick for viewers who want the friendship and emotional stakes more than the supernatural. The BFI identifies it as an early influence, while What Hi-Fi? highlights its child ensemble as a point of comparison with the show’s young characters.
Super 8 (2011)
J. J. Abrams’s film is a later nostalgic companion about young friends, a small town, and a monster. What Hi-Fi? points to a bus-attack scene as a similarity, and TIME included the movie in a 2017 fan-watch guide. Those are recommendations and comparisons, not evidence that the film was a confirmed creator influence.
Midnight Special (2016)
For a more modern science-fiction story, follow a father trying to protect a boy with unusual powers. TIME recommended it as a nostalgic, Spielberg-style companion; that characterization is the guide’s framing, rather than a creator-confirmed link.
Movies for psychic powers and supernatural horror
Carrie (1976)
If Eleven’s powers and isolation are the part of the show you want to revisit, Carrie is a particularly strong match. The BFI compares the films’ psychic protagonists. JustWatch also describes parallels involving bullying, telekinesis, and the skating-rink storyline in the show’s fourth season. These are thematic comparisons, not proof of a direct influence. JustWatch’s U.S. listing for Carrie shows Blu-ray and DVD purchase formats; editions and availability can change.
Poltergeist (1982)
Choose this for supernatural family horror. The BFI names Poltergeist among the film references and influences viewers can detect in Stranger Things, making it a better fit for the show’s uncanny, domestic-horror side than for its kid-adventure side.
Altered States (1980)
This is the most direct choice for the laboratory-experiment thread. In a WIRED interview, the Duffer Brothers say the film informed their thinking about Dr. Brenner’s experiments on Eleven and the isolation tank. WIRED’s July 25, 2019 interview transcript is the source for that creator-identified connection.
Fear Street (2021)
For teen horror with retro settings and some familiar Stranger Things cast members, try Fear Street. What Hi-Fi? recommends it as a tonal and thematic companion. Treat the resemblance as a watch-next comparison, not a confirmed influence.
Jaws (1975)
Jaws is a useful pick if you’re interested in how suspense builds around a monster. The Duffers explicitly invoke its “less you see, the scarier it is” principle when discussing the Demogorgon. Their comment appears in the Netflix Tudum interview transcript.
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Creature features and science-fiction horror
Alien (1979)
This is a creator-documented reference, not just a similar-feeling film. The Duffer Brothers call themselves fans of the franchise and connect Alien to the Upside Down’s atmosphere and the Demogorgon egg. WIRED’s interview with the Duffers covers those connections.
Aliens (1986)
Follow Alien with its sequel if you want the show’s military-and-monster side. The Duffers identify Aliens as a major reference for the second season, particularly the soldiers entering underground tunnels. That’s a specific creator-identified connection, rather than a broad resemblance.
The Thing (1982)
For practical creature effects and paranoia, try John Carpenter’s The Thing. What Hi-Fi? notes similarities between its creature and the show’s monsters, and credits the film’s practical effects by Rob Bottin as an influence. This is that publication’s account; it is not presented here as a direct creator quotation.
The Blob (1988)
This small-town monster film follows a shapeshifting threat and a government cover-up. What Hi-Fi? connects those elements to the third season. It is a thematic companion, especially for viewers who like the show’s combination of local danger and secretive authorities.
Alien 3 (1992)
Try this for an isolated-prison setting and another chapter in the Alien franchise. What Hi-Fi? draws a comparison with the fourth season’s story; the recommendation rests on shared setting and franchise associations, rather than a cited direct influence from the creators.
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Ghostbusters (1984)
This one has an explicit second-season reference: the BFI notes that the boys dress as the parapsychologists and investigate Hawkins. Watch it for the playful, pop-culture side of the show’s supernatural mystery.
Weird Science (1985)
For a lighter change of pace, try this teen comedy. What Hi-Fi? connects its John Hughes-era teen archetypes with characters in Stranger Things. Think of it as a companion for the show’s school-life and teen-dynamics threads, not a confirmed creator citation.
Summer of 84 (2018)
A group of teenage friends suspect a neighbor and investigate, giving this small-town mystery a natural fit for viewers who like young sleuths and a retro look. What Hi-Fi? also points to its synth music and presents the film as a tonal companion.
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The Breakfast Club (1985)
If the high-school character dynamics appeal more than monsters, try this John Hughes film. What Hi-Fi? compares the show’s character types with the archetypes found in Hughes’s teen films; it does not establish a specific creator citation for this title.
Pretty in Pink (1986)
Another lighter pick for teen relationships and 1980s atmosphere. What Hi-Fi? includes it in a discussion of John Hughes and the teen-film vocabulary associated with the era. The connection is about mood and archetypes, not documented direct inspiration.
How to choose what to watch next
- For young friends facing danger: start with The Goonies, E.T., or Stand by Me.
- For powers, experiments, or supernatural dread: choose Carrie, Altered States, or Poltergeist.
- For monsters and science-fiction horror: pick Alien or Aliens for creator-documented references, or The Thing and The Blob for companion films discussed by What Hi-Fi?.
- For teen dynamics without a creature at the center: try Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, or Pretty in Pink.
The distinction between inspiration and resemblance is worth keeping in mind. The BFI identifies several early film influences and the Ghostbusters reference; the Duffers themselves discuss Alien, Aliens, Altered States, and the Jaws suspense principle. Other titles here are recommendations based on shared themes, styles, or scenes—not a verified list of films that shaped the series.
Quick Recap
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