If you loved
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
If you loved Stranger Things, you are likely drawn to the way ordinary childhood friendships face down massive, terrifying conspiracies.
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.
Much like the unsettling small-town atmosphere of Stranger Things, this story explores how a strange, buried discovery can rapidly unravel the sanity and safety of an entire community.
The Institute
Stephen King · Book · 2019
Shares 2 threads with Stranger Things: Friendship, Coming-of-Age.
Fans of Stranger Things will recognize the chilling narrative of children with psychic abilities forced to confront a sinister government organization that views them as mere test subjects.
Neverseen
Shannon Messenger · Book · 2016
Shares 2 threads with Stranger Things: Friendship, Coming-of-Age.
This journey mirrors the high-stakes mystery of Stranger Things by forcing a protagonist to uncover dark, suppressed memories while navigating a world where secrets threaten everything she knows.
Ghost Story
Peter Straub · Book · 1979
Shares 2 threads with Stranger Things: Small Town Secrets, Supernatural Horror.
If the group dynamics in Stranger Things resonated with you, this novel captures that same focus on deep-seated bonds and the long-term impact of shared trauma among friends.
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 close-knit group of friends who stumble into a dangerous government conspiracy involving unexplained, terrifying phenomena.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1982
Explores: Childhood Friendship, Alien Encounter, Government Conspiracy.
This classic shares the core heart of Stranger Things by focusing on the powerful, protective bond between children and an outsider while evading relentless government agents.
It
Andy Muschietti · Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Stranger Things: Small Town Secrets, Friendship, Supernatural Horror.
The Losers Club will feel familiar to anyone who loved the camaraderie in Stranger Things as they unite to overcome their fears and battle an ancient, malevolent monster.
Hidden
Ross Duffer · Film · 2015
Explores: Family survival, Claustrophobia, Contamination.
Directed by the creator of Stranger Things, this film highlights the intense survival instinct and claustrophobic dread that emerges when a family hides from a mysterious, dangerous threat.
Podcasts on the same thread
Monsters Among Us
Derek Hayes | Audioboom Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Unexplained Phenomena, First-hand Testimony, Atmospheric Horror.
If you were captivated by the supernatural mysteries in Stranger Things, these firsthand accounts of paranormal encounters offer a similarly atmospheric and eerie exploration of the unknown.
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Curiosity, Intellectual exploration, Trivia.
For those who enjoy the investigative curiosity that drives the characters in Stranger Things, this podcast provides a fascinating deep dive into the strange and unexplained topics of our world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Stranger Things inspired by the 1982 movie Poltergeist?
Stranger Things shares thematic similarities with the 1982 movie Poltergeist. Both titles explore supernatural forces and mysterious occurrences within a suburban setting. Fans of the eerie atmosphere and small-town tension found in Poltergeist will likely appreciate the narrative style presented in the Stranger Things series.
What is the premise of Stranger Things?
Stranger Things follows the disappearance of a young boy in a small town. The mystery uncovers secret experiments and terrifying supernatural forces. The plot centers on the search for the boy and the discovery of a strange little girl who is connected to these events.
Who created the TV show Stranger Things?
The television series Stranger Things was created by Ross Duffer. It premiered in 2016 and focuses on a small town dealing with the aftermath of a young boy vanishing and the subsequent discovery of secret experiments and supernatural threats that impact the local community.
Does Stranger Things feature supernatural elements like Poltergeist?
Yes, Stranger Things features supernatural forces similar to those seen in the 1982 movie Poltergeist. The show incorporates these elements into a mystery involving a missing boy and secret government experiments, creating a narrative that relies on suspense and the unknown to drive the story forward.