What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedStranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
If you loved Stranger Things, start with Poltergeist (Tobe Hooper, 1982) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 3 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Stranger Things across media.
You loved Stranger Things because it captures the way small-town innocence clashes with secret government conspiracies and terrifying supernatural forces.
Start with the source
The source
Poltergeist
Tobe Hooper · Film · 1982
Books on the same thread
The Tommyknockers
Stephen King · Book · 2016
Explores: Technological Horror, Mind Control, Alien Artifacts.
If the small-town mystery of Stranger Things captivated you, you will appreciate how this story explores mass hysteria and alien artifacts hidden within a quiet, unsuspecting community.
The Institute
Stephen King · Book · 2019
Shares 2 threads with Stranger Things: Friendship, Coming-of-Age.
This narrative mirrors the government conspiracy and psychic experimentation themes found in Stranger Things, focusing on kids forced to confront institutional abuse and supernatural threats against their will.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Shares a thread with Stranger Things: Friendship.
Much like the core group in Stranger Things, this story centers on a young boy discovering his destiny while relying on the power of friendship to combat darkness.
Different Seasons
Stephen King · Book · 1982
Shares a thread with Stranger Things: Friendship.
You will recognize the poignant focus on friendship and the loss of innocence that defines the emotional heart of Stranger Things within these four atmospheric, character-driven tales.
Films on the same thread
Super 8
J.J. Abrams · Film · 2011
Shares a thread with Stranger Things: Small Town Secrets.
This film captures the exact nostalgic spirit of Stranger Things, featuring a group of friends uncovering government secrets and unexplained phenomena in their own quiet, small town.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1982
Explores: Childhood Friendship, Alien Encounter, Government Conspiracy.
The bond between children and an otherworldly visitor in this movie serves as a direct inspiration for the supernatural friendship dynamics that drive the plot of Stranger Things.
It
Andy Muschietti · Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Stranger Things: Small Town Secrets, Friendship, Supernatural Horror.
The dynamic of a group of children facing a monstrous threat in their hometown will feel deeply familiar to anyone who followed the Losers Club's counterparts in Stranger Things.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Unexplained Phenomena, First-hand Testimony, Atmospheric Horror.
If the unsettling mysteries of Stranger Things kept you engaged, you will appreciate these first-hand accounts that bring the same feeling of unexplained phenomena and atmospheric horror to life.
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Curiosity, Intellectual exploration, Trivia.
Because Stranger Things sparked your curiosity about the strange and unknown, this podcast provides the perfect deep dive into the historical and scientific oddities that fuel such stories.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Stranger Things based on a book or a movie?
Stranger Things is an original television series created by Ross Duffer in 2016. While it is not a direct adaptation, fans of the show often draw comparisons to supernatural classics like the 1982 movie Poltergeist, which shares themes of small-town mysteries and terrifying supernatural forces.
What is the plot of Stranger Things?
Stranger Things follows the disappearance of a young boy in a small town. The mystery unfolds as the community discovers secret experiments and terrifying supernatural forces connected to a strange little girl. These elements form the core conflict of the 2016 series created by Ross Duffer.
Should I watch Poltergeist if I finished Stranger Things?
Yes, viewers who enjoyed the supernatural elements of Stranger Things may appreciate the 1982 movie Poltergeist. Both titles explore mysterious events and supernatural threats within a domestic setting, providing a similar atmosphere to the tension found in the television series created by Ross Duffer.
How long has Stranger Things been airing?
Stranger Things first premiered in 2016. Created by Ross Duffer, the show centers on a small town investigating the disappearance of a young boy, secret experiments, and a strange little girl. It remains a notable television series for its focus on supernatural forces and mysterious phenomena.