In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries.
- Won 12 Primetime Emmys
- 113 wins & 307 nominations total
Browse episodes
Summary
Reviewers say 'Stranger Things' is acclaimed for its nostalgic 1980s pop culture references, strong character development, and atmospheric setting. The young cast's chemistry and high production values are frequently praised. However, some criticize the show for plot predictability, uneven season quality, and underdeveloped character arcs. Season 3, in particular, faced mixed reviews for its reliance on clichés. Despite these issues, the series retains a robust fan base and is often lauded for its nostalgic appeal and thrilling supernatural elements.
Featured reviews
Stranger Things absolutely lives up to all the hype! This worldwide phenomenon has been one of the most talked about shows since it came out back in 2016 and for good reason...it's terrific! It's an absolute blast to watch and will keep you entertained throughout the entire series. This has everything a show needs to be great...action, comedy, drama, suspense, even nostalgia with this show. You really come to care for these characters and what happens to them. Obviously, season 1 was the best but the others are not far off. All are absolutely worth watching and I can't wait for the new season! Season 5 of s going to be its last so hopefully it goes out as good as it started. I can't wait!
I wasn't expecting this nostalgic TV show could be this good. In my opinion technical details in first season was not that charming but not only storyline that gets stranger, also all the technical details getting stranger.
I know first three seasons were quite the same in some ways. But the Season Four explains that situations. Not all minor things, but explains the major questions.
There is some great references to The Thing, E. T., D&D, Middle-earth and even more. That references makes ithe TV Show more exciting. Especially for geeks.
Film Editing was perfect even from the first season.
Cinematography, VFX and Sound is got better in the second season. They were a bit weak at first season.
Makeup, Costume Design, Scores, Art Direction & Set Decoration were quite good from the first season, they get a bit better along the seasons.
I know first three seasons were quite the same in some ways. But the Season Four explains that situations. Not all minor things, but explains the major questions.
There is some great references to The Thing, E. T., D&D, Middle-earth and even more. That references makes ithe TV Show more exciting. Especially for geeks.
Film Editing was perfect even from the first season.
Cinematography, VFX and Sound is got better in the second season. They were a bit weak at first season.
Makeup, Costume Design, Scores, Art Direction & Set Decoration were quite good from the first season, they get a bit better along the seasons.
I guess plenty of people have said a lot of things about all the movie and TV references this series has and how it recreates the eighties in all their faults and splendor. I will not add to that.
With the release of the second season I'd simply like to advise that both seasons are very different animals. Think of it as the difference between the original Alien movie and the Aliens sequel: Whereas the first season was more about an unknown and unseen horror and the mystery behind the backstory, the second has more in-your-face action and horror laced with character development arcs which feel nice but sometimes sidetrack the series a bit.
Consequently, a fan of the show should probably watch the second season as a separate work of fiction rather than a true continuation of the first season in tone and spirit. The writers move the story forward and we get a very good piece of entertainment but the new season has to be judged on its own merits.
EDIT: Season 3 turned out to be a huge change in tone for the series. Maybe it's really hard keeping up the mystery if much of the "world" of Stranger Things already yielded many of its secrets but the overall "feel" of the series went into a different direction. Maybe the writers simply ran out of 80' templates to rip off. Season 1 was very much inspired by supernatural horror as in "Poltergeist". Season 2 took many cues from "Creature Features" like "Gremlins" or "Aliens". Season 3 now uses elements of 80' zombie flicks and low budget gore horror with a little bit of spy comedy mixed in (and fight scenes which feel straight out of "Die Hard"). All those genres didn't really mix well in the 80' and this strange cocktail sure doesn't work today. That doesn't mean that Season 3 is bad. It simply relies on characters who were established in previous seasons which used very different 80' story elements and tropes. It's almost like seeing Darth Vader in an Indiana Jones movie. Both work on their own but not together.
Basically, Season 3 is an all too transparent attempt to plough a fresh nostalgia field but it doesn't work in the context of previous seasons.
With the release of the second season I'd simply like to advise that both seasons are very different animals. Think of it as the difference between the original Alien movie and the Aliens sequel: Whereas the first season was more about an unknown and unseen horror and the mystery behind the backstory, the second has more in-your-face action and horror laced with character development arcs which feel nice but sometimes sidetrack the series a bit.
Consequently, a fan of the show should probably watch the second season as a separate work of fiction rather than a true continuation of the first season in tone and spirit. The writers move the story forward and we get a very good piece of entertainment but the new season has to be judged on its own merits.
EDIT: Season 3 turned out to be a huge change in tone for the series. Maybe it's really hard keeping up the mystery if much of the "world" of Stranger Things already yielded many of its secrets but the overall "feel" of the series went into a different direction. Maybe the writers simply ran out of 80' templates to rip off. Season 1 was very much inspired by supernatural horror as in "Poltergeist". Season 2 took many cues from "Creature Features" like "Gremlins" or "Aliens". Season 3 now uses elements of 80' zombie flicks and low budget gore horror with a little bit of spy comedy mixed in (and fight scenes which feel straight out of "Die Hard"). All those genres didn't really mix well in the 80' and this strange cocktail sure doesn't work today. That doesn't mean that Season 3 is bad. It simply relies on characters who were established in previous seasons which used very different 80' story elements and tropes. It's almost like seeing Darth Vader in an Indiana Jones movie. Both work on their own but not together.
Basically, Season 3 is an all too transparent attempt to plough a fresh nostalgia field but it doesn't work in the context of previous seasons.
I am one of those people that was put of by the thought that this was a kid's drama, from the advertising you'd swear this was aimed at a 4 o'clock after school transmission time, the reality is far from that. It's quite intense drama, thoroughly absorbing, the kind of show you can't help but binge watch. As someone that grew up in the Eighties, I can appreciate the detail that's gone into the production, it's like they slipped back and filmed it live, it is incredibly well made. I utterly love the music, it is so fitting, takes me back to wonderful eighties shows. Quality in both season one and two, I like the build up and tension that is abundant in the first. It's like the Goonies meets The Quatermass Experiment.
Awesome characters, great story, great balance between drama and action, love the humour in the series.... In my opinion it is a must watch.
New and Upcoming Sci-Fi and Fantasy
New and Upcoming Sci-Fi and Fantasy
From popular franchises to brand new worlds of exploration, science fiction and fantasy stories are more popular than ever. Check out our list of the best and brightest new and upcoming movies and series.
Did you know
- TriviaSteve Perry, former lead vocalist for Journey, has said that the Stranger Things season 4 remix of Journey's 1980s smash hit Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) was done pretty much the way he originally wanted it done in the 1980s, but lacked the technology. Perry was so impressed that he even helped with the development of the remix.
- GoofsDuring a number of episodes, people are seen 'interrupting' someone talking on a two way radio or CB - that is, one person is talking/transmitting, and another person transmits to interrupt them, and then the other person hears this interruption and stops transmitting. This was done a few times on the kid's CB radios, and on the radios used by the police. Those radios - the CB and the police radios of the era from the show - don't work like that. If you are transmitting, and someone else transmits, you will not hear them.
- Crazy creditsThe Stranger Things opening titles and fonts mimic the film grain and look of 1980's television series opening credits.
- SoundtracksStranger Things
(Title sequence & end credits theme)
Written & performed by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein
- How many seasons does Stranger Things have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content