Netflix has now released the final episode of the hit series Stranger Things, bringing the show to a highly anticipated end. The Duffer Brothers’ show, which debuted in 2016, became a global phenomenon and a love letter to 1980s pop culture.
Despite the finale having mixed reviews online, fans are already hunting for what to watch next. If you’re craving more ’80s nostalgia, classic films set in the decade are the perfect choice. Here are the top three films to watch right after finishing Stranger Things, according to film experts at IMDb.
1. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The first film IMDb recommends is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The plot follows a gentle alien who becomes stranded on Earth. A boy named Elliott befriends it and hides it in his Californian home with his siblings.
When E.T. falls ill, government intervention puts both the children and the alien in jeopardy; E.T. currently has 7.9 stars on the movie database site and an impressive 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
According to Screen Rant, the Duffer Brothers took inspiration from the cult classic film. They said: “Very much like E.T., Eleven had to remain hidden in Mike’s house, specifically in the basement, though she had a chance of exploring the house when no one was home.”
The film expert added: “Later on in season one, the group was trying to ‘disguise’ Eleven so she could blend in at school, and this is a tribute to the scene in E.T. where Gertie dresses the alien up in a dress and blonde wig.”
2. The Goonies (1985)
Another 80s classic film that Stranger Things is inspired by is The Goonies. A group of young misfits discover an ancient map and sets out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s lost treasure, hoping it will save their homes.
Along the way, they face dangerous obstacles and a group of bad guys who are also after the treasure. The Goonies has an impressive 7.7 stars on IMDb and 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
According to Screen Rant: “The Duffer Brothers made a handful of changes when developing Stranger Things, but they felt it was important to mirror the character dynamics seen in The Goonies. Not only was the time period linked, but the focus on a group of kids remained a key component.”
3. Stand by Me (1986)
Stand by Me follows a group of young boys who set out to find the body of a missing local boy. What starts as a simple adventure quickly becomes a journey of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.
Out of the three films, Stand by Me has the highest IMDb score, at 8.1 stars and then a score of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. According to The Express Tribune, the Duffer brothers had the cast read lines from Stand by Me to audition.
An expert at Comic Book Resources further pointed out the similarities and said: “Both the movie and the show may not have the exact same conflict, but the overall theme is the same. It features children going on a quest of their own volition to do something that should very much be left to the adults to sort out.”
