Crank up the synths and get ready for a nostalgia trip straight back to Hawkins, Indiana. With Stranger Things Season 5 arriving in November 2025, it’s the perfect time to revisit what made the series so special: that glorious ‘80s magic.
The Duffer Brothers didn’t just set their show in the 1980s—they revived the decade itself. From fashion and neon to music, arcades, and monster-movie mania, Stranger Things became a time capsule of everything that made the era unforgettable.
So grab your walkie-talkie, meet us at the arcade, and let’s count down the best ‘80s references in Stranger Things, ranked by how hard they hit us in the feels (and the synthwave).
Why This List? (A Totally Rad Research Method)
We didn’t just rewatch a few episodes and call it nostalgia. We went all-in—digging through fan forums, Netflix featurettes, Reddit debates, and even our own Displate sales data (spoiler: Kate Bush and Hellfire Club posters are huge hits).
The result? A ranked list of Stranger Things ‘80s references that truly define the show, from iconic songs to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments and Easter eggs. Let’s kick off the countdown.
10. Bikes, Walkie-Talkies & Friendship
One of the show’s most iconic ‘80s nods isn’t a song or a product—it’s the pure feeling of adventure. The kids’ bikes, their loyalty, and the thrill of discovery in a pre-smartphone world capture the essence of 1980s storytelling.
Strange but true: Every bike on set was a restored vintage from the early ‘80s—some still sporting their original decals.
9. Metallica & Eddie Munson’s Guitar Solo (Season 4)
“Chrissy, this is for you.” That line—and that solo—cemented Eddie Munson as a rock legend of the Upside Down. His shredding of Master of Puppets won Metallica a bunch of new fans, and gave us a moment we’ll never forget.
Strange but true: Joseph Quinn learned to play the entire solo himself, and Metallica called the scene “an epic honor.”
8. ‘80s Movie Posters
Pay very close attention and you’ll spot them: The Thing in Jonathan’s room, Jaws in the basement, Evil Dead at the video store. The Duffer Brothers’ sets double as loving tributes to ‘80s horror and sci-fi.
Strange but true: The show’s title font is modeled after 1980s Stephen King book covers and vintage horror movie posters.
7. Fashion (Denim, Scrunchies & Graphic Tees)
From Steve Harrington’s flawless hair to Eleven’s wild Season 3 romper, the ‘80s fashions in Stranger Things are a full-on love letter to a decade that never met a pattern it didn’t adore—bright colors for innocence, darker tones as things get more Upside Down.
Strange but true: Eleven’s yellow romper became one of the most popular Halloween costumes of 2019.
6. Dungeons & Dragons (Every Season)
Before Vecna became a monster, he was just a name in the kids’ D&D campaign. From day one, Stranger Things has built its mythology around tabletop gaming, giving every dice-roller out there a proud “that’s us” moment.
Strange but true: The opening D&D scene inspired Wizards of the Coast to release an official Stranger Things tabletop campaign in 2019.
5. Starcourt Mall (Season 3)
Ah, the mall—the neon heart of 1980s America, full of food courts, fashion, and a hint of existential dread. Starcourt Mall became a character in its own right: glitzy on the surface, terrifying underneath.
Strange but true: The Duffer Brothers filmed Starcourt in a real abandoned mall in Georgia, rebuilt from scratch with vintage storefronts like Orange Julius and Sam Goody.
4. The NeverEnding Story Duet (Season 3)
Just when you thought Season 3 couldn’t get weirder, Dustin and Suzie sang The NeverEnding Story over the radio—wholesome, unexpected, and delightfully absurd. It’s a perfect example of how Stranger Things turns cheesy ‘80s music into pure emotional gold.
Strange but true: Gaten Matarazzo and Gabriella Pizzolo (Dustin and Suzie) performed the duet live at fan conventions, and yes, the harmonies were flawless.
3. The Arcade (Dig Dug, Dragon’s Lair & Ms. Pac-Man – Season 2)
Few things scream the 1980s louder than the hum of arcade cabinets. When we first see the boys at Hawkins’ Palace Arcade, we’re instantly transported to a time when high scores were everything.
Strange but true: The Palace Arcade was built with real, fully functioning machines, and the actors could actually play between takes.
2. Ghostbusters Costumes (Season 2)
Halloween 1984, and the gang shows up in full Ghostbusters gear—proton packs, patches, and all. The confused looks from classmates? Classic. In Stranger Things, the ‘80s clothes aren’t just nostalgia—they tell a story, capturing that awkward middle-school vibe when your love for Ghostbusters isn’t quite “cool.
Strange but true: Each costume was hand-stitched to perfectly replicate the original 1984 movie uniforms.
1. Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush (Season 4)
There’s no topping this one. When Max escapes Vecna’s grip as Running Up That Hill blasts through her headphones, it’s not just a Stranger Things moment—it’s TV history. The scene revived ‘80s music, turned a new generation into Kate Bush fans, and showed that music can literally save lives.
Strange but true: After that episode aired, Kate Bush’s 1985 single hit #1 in multiple countries, nearly 40 years after its release.
Why These ‘80s References Still Work
Fans can’t get enough of the ‘80s references in Stranger Things—and no wonder. They’re not just nostalgic Easter eggs—they’re the show’s emotional backbone. Every mixtape, movie poster, and scrunchie adds texture and soul to Hawkins. The Duffer Brothers didn’t just recreate a decade; they revived its sense of wonder, capturing what it felt like to be young, curious, and a little bit weird in the ‘80s.
Bring the ‘80s Home (Without a Time Machine)
If Stranger Things has taught us anything, it’s that the ‘80s never really disappeared—they just slipped into the Upside Down and came back cooler than ever.
Whether you’re obsessed with the show’s iconic songs, craving that neon ‘80s vibe, or hunting for Demogorgon wall art, Displate has you covered. Explore our collection of officially licensed Stranger Things metal posters—from Max’s mixtape moment to Eleven’s showdown stance—and bring Hawkins into your own dimension.
Because true fans know: some stories, and some songs, never go out of style.
