33 Hidden Facts About ‘Stranger Things’ and the Movies That Inspired It

We took a look at the Stranger Things bible — an early document that serves as a guiding light for the show — to find interesting tidbits and learn more about our favorite residents of Hawkins, Indiana. Just as important to the show’s origins, of course, are the 1980s movies that inspired it. So we gathered up some facts about those for good measure too!
It

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Firestarter

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
E.T. (Again!)

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
The real conspiracy behind Stranger Things

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Will's "sexual identity issues."

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Eleven is basically E.T.

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Hopper was way more of a bum

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Mr. Clarke was way cooler

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
The Goonies (Again!)

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
E.T.

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
A Nightmare on Elm Street

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Ghostbusters (Again!)

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Stranger Things' original location

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Camp Hero

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
The Mishmashed Title

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
The lost Stranger Things character

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Poltergeist (Again!)

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
The Goonies

The Goonies

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Dan Aykroyd

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Look at this kid! He ain't never smooched nobody!

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Heavy on the nostalgia

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Another different angle on Joyce

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
A slightly different vision for Joyce

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
The Thing

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Stand By Me (Again)

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Stand By Me

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
The Shining

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
Poltergeist was an inspiration

Source: 20 Nostalgic Facts About the Movies That Inspired 'Stranger Things'
A slightly different vision for Hopper

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Dustin's original description isn't that far off

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
The real source of horror

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible
Stranger Things had a different title

Source: The 20 Strangest Things From The 'Stranger Things' Show Bible