"Stranger Things" is a hit science fiction horror series that initially premiered on Netflix in 2016. The show is set in the 1980s and follows a group of friends as they investigate supernatural mysteries in their small town.

The show's creators, the Duffer brothers—after possibly borrowing/stealing/"being encouraged" about the core idea from an acquaintance—have acknowledged a number of influences on the series, including: films like "E.T.," "The Goonies," and "Poltergeist", Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, Dungeons & Dragons, John Carpenter, and countless others.

Stranger Things has emerged through the successful combining of different 80's influences—like 1980s pop culture, classic horror films, and role-playing games—with the creators' own creativity into a fresh and compelling package that has become one of the most popular and influential television series in its time.