Stranger Things and the '80s: The Series, The Decade, and the World They Remixed

FULLY UPDATED AND REVISED WITH SEASON 5!

What do E.T., Dungeons & Dragons, and The Clash have in common?

They all live inside the world of Stranger Things—and the decade that inspired it.

In Stranger Things and the ’80s: The Show, the Decade, and the World They Remixed, bestselling cultural historian Joseph Vogel dives deep into the series’ creative DNA—its cinematic roots in Spielberg and Stephen King, its neon-soaked soundtracks, its big fashion and pop myths. From Gremlins and The Goonies to A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ghostbusters, from mixtapes and malls to moral panics and mind flayers, this book explores how the Duffers transformed the anxieties and wonder of the 1980s into one of the most original stories of our time.

Rich with insight, packed with Easter eggs, and pulsing with synth-fueled nostalgia, this is the essential companion for anyone who’s ever felt the thrill—and the terror—of the Upside Down.

“A must-have for any fan of Stranger Things.” -Heroic Hollywood

"Vogel does a masterful job of connecting every pop cultural dot, taking us back to the ‘80s at 88 mph in a book that’s just as nostalgic and fun as the show itself.”-Caseen Gaines, Author of We Don’t Need Roads: The Making of the Back to the Future Trilogy