Gremlins
Want to know why the geeky heroes of Stranger Things used Phoebe Cates as their reference point for beauty? Check her out in this '80s adventure, where she helps her love-interest Billy defeat the Mogwai.
Lost In Space
Have a penchant for sci-fi? Try this tv series set 30 years in the future, where a family called the Robinsons have been chosen to start a new life in a space colony. On their way, the Robinsons' ship is thrown off course and they enter a dangerous alien environment.
Scanners
Just in case Eleven's powers don't come back, you might want to check out this sci-fi thriller that according to IGN, is the inspiration behind her incredible abilities. Scanners are people born with extraordinary telepathic and telekinetic powers. However, not all of them have Eleven's good nature.
It
This film will remind you of Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Eleven and Max's "party," which sadly felt broken up in the third season of Stranger Things. It has a similar structure to the Netflix TV series, with a group of American buddies dealing with the extraordinary. Finn Wolfhard (Mike) even plays one of the kids in the 2017 adaptation of the thriller.
Back to the Future
The movie that saved the day (in more ways than one). Dustin, Steve, Robin and Erica hid from Russian spies in a movie theatre screening this '80s classic.
Altered Carbon
Another sci-fi tv series worth checking out. Set in a dystopian world 300 years in the future, a new type of technology allows human bodies to become interchangeable so that death is no longer permanent. Maybe Dustin can build this technology for everyone we've lost so far in Stranger Things.
Day of the Dead
Thanks to Dad-Steve, Mike, Lucas, Max, and Will were able to sneak in to see this thriller in the first episode of Stranger Things 3. The Day of the Dead is about an underground bunker hiding military officers and scientists during a zombie apocalypse. Once again, the Duffer brothers hit viewers with some incredible foreshadowing.
The Blob
See where the Duffer brothers got their inspiration for the terrifying and at times gross Mindflayer. The Blob is a sci-fi horror film about an amorphous acidic amoeba-like organism that devours anything in its path as it grows. Which creature would you prefer?
The OA
Another Netflix series worth checking out if you like mystery and sci-fi. Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission.
The Goonies
Missing Bob? Check him out as a kid in The Goonies, a film about a group of misfits on a quest. Sound pretty familiar...
Reality Bites
Winona Ryder (who plays Joyce) starred in this romance with Ethan Hawke, who just so happens to be the father of Maya Hawke (Robin). Check out the star of the Netflix original in one of her most iconic films.
The Breakfast Club
There were some serious Breakfast Club vibes this season when characters were trapped together and forced to have heart-to-hearts (albeit while hiding from Russian spies). From Robin coming out, to Max and Eleven becoming best friends, Stranger Things had some sweeter moments in the third season. If you enjoy the personal aspects of Stranger Things, you'll definitely love this '80s classic.
Stranger Things is yet to confirm release dates for Season 4. Until then, check out one of the films and tv shows above to satisfy your '80s sci-fi-thriller needs.
