Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, otherwise known as the Duffer Brothers, are best known for the massively popular Netflix original Stranger Things. The American twins took an interest in filmmaking at an early age, when they began making films in the third grade with a hi 8 camera that was a gift from their parents. Later in life, the creative duo took film study at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film & Media Arts.
The pair would eventually write the script for the horror film Hidden, about a family hidden in a bomb shelter from the horrors of a mysterious outbreak. The film caught the attention of famed horror director M. Night Shyamalan, who hired them as writers and producers for the television series Wayward Pines.
This experience in the television industry inspired the Duffer Brothers to pitch their own science fiction series Stranger Things. The Netflix series is an homage to iconic 80s pop culture and pays tribute to many works the Duffer Brothers favored in their youths, including those of Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, George Lucas, and more. Here are The Duffer Brothers’ favorite 80s movies.
12 The Empire Strikes Back
When asked by Vogue which movies they would take with them to a deserted island, one of the three they listed in response was The Empire Strikes Back, along with Back to the Future and Heat. The brothers selected these three movies because they are "endlessly rewatchable." Further to their admiration for the film, the Stranger Things universe is littered with references to not only the Star Wars franchise but to Empire Strikes Back specifically. The most compelling is the ending of Season 4 of the series, which shows the downtrodden heroes looking off in the distance, knowing they face a tremendous fight in their future.
11 Fast Times at Ridgemont High
It's not hard to see the Duffer Brothers were inspired by the 80s classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The references to Fast Times throughout the series are so pervasive, it's hard not to miss them. From the design of Star Court Mall to the Scoops Ahoy uniforms, and of course, the Billy Hargrove pool entrance scene, to name a few. Not to mention all the references to the film by the characters themselves, namely Steve Harrington.
10 Batman
The Duffer Brothers once told The Guardian that their love of movies all began with Tim Burton's Batman, released in 1989 when the writing duo was just five years old. Ross Duffer tells the publication, "What we could see was there was someone behind the curtain controlling all of this, and you could see it from one Tim Burton film to the next, that the guy who made Edward Scissorhands also made Batman. You could connect the dots because his style was so distinct. He was the first director we became obsessed with as kids."
9 Back to the Future
Back to the Future was also named by the Duffer Brothers as one of the three movies they would take with them to a deserted island, and it's not hard to see why. The 1985 science fiction film is one of the greatest popcorn movies of all time with its perfect blend of comedy, romance, and action. Not to mention the comedic pairing of Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Fox recently proposed an idea for a Back to the Future reboot project.
8 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is another film that the Duffer Brothers reference a lot in subtle and not-so-subtle ways throughout the series. From the blonde wig that Eleven wears to disguise herself, to the many scenes of kids on bikes, to the children protagonist and child-led point of view. E.T. may be one of the most referenced 80s movies in the popular sci-fi series.
7 The Thing
The Duffer brothers' affinity for John Carpenter's The Thing is well known by its many references within Stranger Things. The pair even affirmed with Entertainment Weekly all of the movie references present in season 3 of Stranger Things, and The Thing was one of the movies listed. Some examples can be seen in the movie poster that adorns Mike Wheeler's basement, and Lucas also references it in the epic battle at Star Court Mall.
6 The Goonies
The Goonies is another classic 80s movie that audiences can't help but love. Not only is it a fan favorite, but you can certainly see that it influenced Stranger Things. The similarities include a tight-knit group of young protagonists who value friendship and loyalty while investigating mysteries in their small town. In addition to that both the movie and the film feature a group of younger kids assisted by older teens. The greatest reference to the film, however, has to be Sean Astin's role as Joyce Byers love interest Bob Newby.
5 Poltergeist
Poltergeist is another 80s movie that heavily influenced Stranger Things. Particularly in Season 1 when Will is lost in The Upside Down and Joyce is overcome with grief at his disappearance. The grieving mother is reminiscent of Carol Anne's grieving family in this 80s horror classic. The way Joyce interacts with Will through the Christmas lights is also very similar to that of Carol Anne communicating with her family through the television.
4 Firestarter
It is no secret that the Duffer Brothers are fans of Stephen King's work; one need only look at the title sequence of Stranger Things to put that together, and there are similarities between the Netflix series and King's Firestarter that bear mention.
The similarities between Charlie and Eleven in Stranger Things are pretty quick to spot. For starters, both characters are endowed with telekinetic powers and strength beyond their years. Secondly, they are both pursued by a government agency, and finally they both share a complicated relationship with the Doctor assigned to their care.
3 Stand By Me
In arguably one of the best scenes in Stranger Things, Steve Harrington gives Dustin advice about girls and admits some secrets of his own, while strolling along the train tracks in search of an escaped Demogorgon. This scene is so nostalgic for viewers because it calls to mind another Stephen King classic, Stand By Me. The scenery, accompanied by the long tracking shot and compelling dialogue, makes this one of the best 80s movie references in the series.
2 Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is another 80s movie that gets a lot of screen time in Stranger Things, even going so far as featuring the authentic Ghostbusters costumes on the young cast during a Halloween-themed episode in Season 2. Matt Duffer told Entertainment Weekly that securing the costumes was no easy task, stating they had to speak to director Ivan Reitman and star Dan Aykroyd directly. Duffer also admits to "nerding out" over the encounter.
"[Reitman] said it was flattering," says Matt Duffer. "He read the scripts. He had seen the first season or at least had heard of it or pretended like he had. But they were really into being part of the show. Then they sent us all these Ghostbusters toys at the end of the shoot. That’s one of my top 5 most worn-out VHS tapes." Ironically enough, one of the cast members of Stranger Things also stars in Ghostbusters: Afterlife and actor Finn Wolfhard states Ghostbusters stopped him from quitting acting.
1 A Nightmare on Elm Street
It's pretty difficult to ignore the similarities between Stranger Things Season 4 villain Vecna and the king of nightmares himself, Freddy Krueger. Both can attack their victims inside their dreams and memories. Oddly enough, they even look similar in appearance each suffering from burn wounds. Let's not forget the epic Robert Englund cameo as Victor Creel.
It's a pretty safe assumption the Duffer Brothers are fans of Nightmare on Elm Street. The pair also confirmed the horror influences featured in Season 4 in a recent interview with NME, stating, "The biggest influences would probably be A Nightmare On Elm Street One and Three, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, weirdly The Cell, with Jennifer Lopez and Vince Vaughn."