Warning! SPOILERS ahead for Stranger Things season 3.
Star Wars and more.
The the Upside Down, while dealing with the dangers of growing up at the same time.
There are plenty of Easter eggs and references to the era for fans to enjoy in Stranger Things season 3, including the appearance of New Coke, Corey Hart's music, and all of these 80s movie references. Did you spot them all?
Day Of The Dead
George A. Romero's work is a big influence on Stranger Things season 3, with the victims of the Mind Flayer turning into zombie-like creatures you might expect to find in his films. That's set up very early on with Stranger Things' first 80s movie reference in its new run of episodes, as Mike, Will, et al go to see Day of the Dead at Starcourt Mall. It's here Will begins to feel the Mind Flayer's presence again, immediately establishing the connection between the monster and zombies.
The third film in Romero's Night of the Living Dead series, Day of the Dead wasn't released until 19 July, 1985. However, there were preview screenings held on July 3, which explains how the Stranger Things kids were able to see it in the run-up to July 4.
Back To The Future
Stranger Things season 3 to reference it. The first nod comes just before the kids head in to see Day of the Dead, with a Back to the Future poster on the wall. However, it becomes much more important later in the season, with Dustin, Erica, Steve, and Robin hiding out in a screening of the film. The fact much of the action afterward takes place in a mall parking lot feels like a homage as well.
The Thing
John Carpenter has been a major influence on The Thing. There's a poster for his version of The Thing glimpsed early in season 3, and that's paid off later on.
Not only is there a discussion about which version of the movie is better in episode 7, but the design of the monster in this season of Stranger Things, which is a gloopy, disgusting mess, is heavily indebted to The Thing.
The Blob
The creature design in Stranger Things season 3 doesn't just reference The Thing, but another movie with two versions: The Blob. As we see the rat turn into a slimy substance in its cage, slip through the bars, and then coming together to form the Mind Flayer, it's reminiscent of both the 1958 and 1988 takes on The Blob.
The Terminator
It's not just in of appearance, but actions too. Grigori rides a motorcycle, is completely relentless in his pursuit of Hopper, and is extremely strong and skilled in combat. It's done in a very knowing fashion, but it's so on-the-nose that it is a little ridiculous.
Red Dawn
Released in 1984, Red Dawn takes place in an alt-history version of the United States, and finds the country being invaded by the Soviet Union and its allies from Cuba and Nicaragua. The bulk of the plot, however, is focused on a group of high school kids who attempt to resist the occupation using guerilla warfare.
If that sounds familiar, it's because it forms a huge part to the Russian storyline of Stranger Things season 3. It's less a Stranger Things 80s movie reference, and more Stranger Things almost directly adapting elements of the plot.
The Empire Strikes Back/Return Of The Jedi
Of course the kids from Stranger Things love Star Wars, so it's not much of a surprise to see the franchise get a few shout-outs across the course of Stranger Things season 3. In the first episode, Dustin has an R2-D2 toy, while he refers to himself throughout as "Gold Leader", which is a reference to Lando Calrissian's callsign in Return of the Jedi. That gets another reference in the Stranger Things season 3 finale, when Steve says Star Wars is one of his three favorite movies, citing the one with the teddy bears, i.e. Ewoks.
Although not as overtly referenced, the actual structure of the story of Stranger Things season 3 feels like it's inspired by The Empire Strikes Back. The way Stranger Things splits its main characters up into different groups is reminiscent of that, while Hopper and Joyce's final scene together is visually similar to Han and Leia's "I love you/I know" moment.
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid was released in 1984, putting it in the right time frame to be a big deal culturally in Stranger Things season 3. That plays out when Eleven takes an interest in Ralph Macchio, who is featured in one of Max's teen magazines. It's a fun reference, and adds to their bonding time. Later, we see Lucas wearing a Karate Kid-inspired outfit, which isn't just a nod towards the film's popularity, but also Max's crush on its star.
The Breakfast Club
It'd be hard to make an 80s-set TV show with a bunch of misfit kids without referencing at least some of John Hughes' work, and Stranger Things season 3 contains something of a nod to The Breakfast Club. It's very much setup to be like Andrew and Allison's relationship there, with the outcast and the jock getting together at last, but the film smartly subverts this trope when Robin reveals she's a lesbian, and the pair remain friends instead.
The Evil Dead I & II
In The Evil Dead 2, featured a group of people fighting for their lives while in a cabin in the woods, so it's impossible to ignore the influence on Stranger Things here.
