When Netflix sequence Stranger Issues first switched on the Christmas lights in 2016, it discovered a successful system with ’80s nostalgia, supernatural horrors and a forged of headstrong and close-knit children. 

It is a particular present, and it isn’t simple to duplicate the sensation you get whereas watching it. However now that we’re encountering a weeks-long break between two volumes of a single season, on prime of the years-long hiatuses between one season and one other, I’ve realized it is time to pull out a flashlight and begin looking for one thing comparable.

Enterprise beneath, and you will find a listing of exhibits that relate to Stranger Issues in a method or one other. You might discover one thing to fill that chilling void. Put together for otherworldly entities, touching friendships, and plenty and plenty of children on bikes.

Films with a Stranger Issues vibe

Paramount Footage

The place to stream: HBO Max

No record of this sort can be full with out Tremendous 8, directed by Star Wars helmer J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg. In the summertime of 1979, whereas filming a home made zombie film, a bunch of teenagers witness a truck collide with a prepare. Unexplained occasions proceed to rattle the realm. For thriller, some supernatural motion and younger mates who trip bikes and use walkie-talkies, give this one a watch.

Columbia

The place to stream: You may hire Ghostbusters for $Three at companies together with Amazon and Vudu.

We all know 4 greatest mates who would give Ghostbusters a mega Marshmallow Man-size stamp of approval. A memorable Stranger Issues season 2 scene is when Mike, Dustin, Lucas and Will put on over-the-top Ghostbusters costumes to highschool… solely to search out out that nobody else dressed up for Halloween. Of their honor, spend a while with Invoice Murray, Sigourney Weaver and the remainder of the forged of this beloved comedy.

Warner Bros.

The place to stream: HBO Max

This horror flick dealt one other brutal blow to the status of clowns. Primarily based on the traditional Stephen King ebook, the film pits six likable outcasts towards a sewer-loving supernatural entity. The Duffer Brothers, who created Stranger Issues, have acknowledged the ebook’s massive affect on the present. You will additionally spot Finn Wolfhard (aka Mike) among the many film’s forged.

Columbia Footage

The place to stream: You may hire Fright Evening for $Three at companies together with Amazon and Vudu.

On this mildly scary horror film, teenager Charley Brewster (sure, that is his precise title) discovers a ghastly secret — his neighbor is definitely a vampire and is behind a number of disappearances of their Iowa city. For a story about teenagers taking over monsters, an ’80s really feel, improbable particular results (and I will say it — smokin’ sizzling vampires), Fright Evening is the best way to go. 

Netflix

The Concern Avenue Trilogy (2021)

The place to stream: Netflix

Sure, I am counting this as three films. When Netflix dropped the Concern Avenue installments final summer season, I had no thought what a deal with they’d be. Nostalgia is a component right here — the primary movie winds issues again to the ’90s, the second to the ’70s and the third to the… 1600s, as a result of who does not wish to look again fondly at bonnets and flouncy sleeves. Joking! Should you’ve liked the give attention to Max (Sadie Sink) this season, the actress is a giant a part of this trilogy.

Gunpowder & Sky

The place to stream: AMC Plus, Shudder

Can a film be an excessive amount of like Stranger Issues? The primary 20 minutes of Summer season of 84 evoke so many Stranger Issues-isms, it feels unattainable to not evaluate it to the beloved present. Walkie-talkies, bikes, synth music, unusual disappearances and teenage mates sizzling on the path of the perpetrator are all in there. However because you’re testing this record, that will simply imply it ticks all of your containers.

Purple Financial institution Movies

The place to stream: Prime Video

Carrie is focused by some ruthless bullies within the 1976 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel, very similar to our woman Eleven, who faces viciously imply teenagers on this season of Stranger Issues (culminating, in fact, with that Carrie-esque scene on the curler rink). Stephen King himself has referred to as out the season’s “Carrie riff,” although he did not explicitly say what he was referring to. Anyway, you need to watch Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of the promenade queen at the very least as soon as in your life. Why not now?

Jonny Cournoyer

The place to stream: FuboTV, Paramount Plus

John Krasinski’s suspenseful horror movie a few household making an attempt to outlive a monster apocalypse is way extra harrowing than Stranger Issues, however there are some similarities. Within the character of Millicent Simmons, you may discover a fearless younger protagonist the Stranger Issues children would fortunately welcome onto their staff. See how she and the others deal with terrifying creatures that assault once they detect sound. 

Common

The place to stream: It is free with advertisements on Tubi. You may as well hire Coraline for $Three at companies together with Amazon and Vudu.

“Children vs. malevolent forces from a parallel universe” might describe each Stranger Issues and this animated stop-motion children horror film. And each are wonderful selections in your night.

New Line Cinema

A Nightmare on Elm Avenue (1984)

The place to stream: Netflix, HBO Max

The chilling ending to episode 1 and what occurred to Eddie afterward felt vaguely acquainted to me whereas watching season 4. Then it hit me: A Nightmare on Elm Avenue. Should you’ve been digging this season of the present, it is time to revisit the 1984 horror traditional. One other enjoyable reality: Victor Creel, the previous Vecna sufferer that Robin and Nancy meet in episode 4, is definitely performed by authentic Freddy Krueger actor Robert Englund.

Warner Bros.

The place to stream: HBO Max

Do child journey films get extra traditional than The Goonies? A squad of distinct children set out on a harmful seek for hidden treasure. As a result of booby traps and unfamiliar terrain apparently aren’t sufficient, a household of mobsters can be tailing them. Should you, like me, have been too scared by the horror components on this movie as a child to totally admire it, it is positively value placing on once more.

Common Footage

ET the Further-Terrestrial (1982)

The place to stream: Peacock, FuboTV

After spending a lot time with Stranger Issues season Four evildoer Vecna, I would think about an appointment with a benign imaginary creature like ET sounds fairly good. (It is actually well-earned.) Tear open a field of Reese’s Items and get watching.

Sony Footage

The place to stream: It is free with advertisements on the Roku Channel. You may as well hire Goosebumps for $Three at companies together with Amazon and Vudu.

When a horde of monsters from R.L. Stine’s iconic Goosebumps books invade the actual world, Jack Black and a few teen actors staff as much as take them down. This family-friendly horror comedy is cheesier than Stranger Issues, however it could function a stable distraction from the pause in the supernatural present.

Warner Bros. Footage

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

The place to stream: It is free with advertisements on Tubi. You may as well hire The NeverEnding Story for $Four at companies together with Amazon, Vudu and iTunes.

This is likely to be a wild card, however it’s crucial for Stranger Issues followers or those that missed out on the movie as a child. Journey, a pleasant dragon and little one protagonists are all part of the pie. And you may lastly sing the theme music with Dustin and Suzie whenever you rewatch season 3, episode 8.

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