From the inception of its streaming service, Netflix has made bold moves with its content. Yet while its first shows, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, certainly made a statement about the type of stories Netflix was looking to tell, neither was a completely original premise.
House of Cards was an adaptation of the 1990 BBC series of the same name, and Michael Dobbs’ 1989 novel inspired both shows. Similarly, Orange is the New Black was based on Piper Kerman’s memoir. Netflix was ready to feature mature content and underrepresented characters, but it was hesitant to do so without the backing of pre-existing source material.
Marco Polo was Netflix’s first scripted series without a pre-existing IP, though it was still based on real historical events. All things considered, Marco Polo was a major failure for Netflix. From there, the streamer continued to be hesitant with its completely original dramas. None of the streamer’s original drama series lasted more than 3 seasons.
That is, until the premiere of Stranger Things in 2016. A nostalgic ’80s-era sci-fi series, Stranger Things had a strong and impactful pilot that resonated with viewers immediately. The show’s first season, in particular, elevated Netflix into a streamer that was capable of not only bold and mature content but also fresh, quality projects. Of course, that was only the beginning of how far Stranger Things would go.
Stranger Things Tapped Into Just The Right Amount Of Nostalgia
The influence of the movies and lifestyle of the 1980s was heavily apparent in Stranger Things from the get-go. The early seasons, especially, with their endearing group of monster-fighting Dungeons and Dragons players, would be accurately described as E.T. meets It. Visually, everything from their massive walkie-talkies and retro bicycles to the fashion and hair created an immersive ’80s experience.
Yet despite its clear homages to classic ’80s-era sci-fi and horror, Stranger Things was something completely original. The show’s most iconic elements, like the character of Eleven with her trademark nosebleeds and love of Eggo waffles, and the entire concept of “the Upside Down“, were things entirely of its own making.
Stranger Things felt like a brand-new story that would just so happen to be right at home with the classics. Perhaps most impressively, Stranger Things managed, for the most part, to preserve its cozy nostalgia while also creating a visual spectacle that is among contemporary television’s best.
Stranger Things Proved Just How Far An Original Concept Can Go
Stranger Things became more than a popular TV show. Throughout its run, it was arguably Netflix’s biggest tentpole series, dominating the streamer’s most high-traffic release dates and in-person events like pop-up merchandise sales. Beyond that, Stranger Things, the show that started as a completely original idea from then-unknown creators, has become a massive new IP in its own right.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow was a Broadway play that ran during the Netflix show’s run, even influencing its final seasons. After the conclusion of the original series, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 premiered in April 2026. Tales from ’85 is an animated series featuring the main Stranger Things characters, voiced by new actors. It’s been renewed for a second season.
Stranger Things launched the careers of many of its young cast members, like Finn Wolfhard and Sadie Sink, while reigniting interest in established stars like Winona Ryder. Meanwhile, the Duffer Brothers themselves have become household names, with their involvement drawing intrigue even to projects unrelated to Stranger Things, like Netflix’s recent hit, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen.
Stranger Things Fans’ Reactions To Finale Was Exactly What “The Duffer Brothers Wanted”
The director of the upcoming Stranger Things documentary reveals what the Duffer Brothers really think of fans’ strong reactions to the series finale.
The massive, prolonged impact of Stranger Things is perhaps most impressive when considering the controversial reception of its later seasons. While the pilot episode and early seasons are almost universally beloved, Stranger Things‘ final season was polarizing in everything from its release schedule to its visual effects to the ending it gave its characters.
The series finale fell flat even for many of the show’s most dedicated fans, prompting theories that Stranger Things was withholding a “secret” finale or that Netflix had edited the Duffer Brothers’ work beyond recognition.
Yet even when none of those things turned out to be true, Stranger Things proved that it had already established the staying power to withstand a less-than-stellar reception to its finale, solidifying its legacy as a completely original series that made the cultural impact many projects can only dream of.
- Release Date
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2016 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
- Directors
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Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
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Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock