Movies like Stranger Things are not supernatural or horror. They’re simply auteurs of the 1980s, with a love for teen angst. And, in their DNA, John Hughes movies are a vital part of the show’s success. The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, and Ferris Bueller are all classics in the Hughes canon. These movies play off sturdy teenage stereotypes, turning detention into movie magic. Certainly, the Hawkins gang would recognize many of these characters!
The Goonies
Fans of Steven Spielberg and the 1980s may enjoy The Goonies as much as their current favorite Netflix show, Stranger Things. This fun, campy family comedy follows a group of misfits as they go on a quest for a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. The Goonies are a throwback to the ’80s, when kids rode bikes everywhere, and there are plenty of references to that era’s pop culture.
This cult favorite was directed by Richard Donner and based on a Steven Spielberg novel. It was an early 80s classic with lovable characters and unexpected twists. Stranger Things traces its characters to the characters in The Goonies, from the nerdy D&D nerds to the gun-toting adult villains. This popular film helped pave the way for franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean.
Gremlins
If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it is one of the best scary horror films of all time. The plot revolves around a young man who receives a cuddly creature as a gift, but doesn’t keep the instructions. When the young man opens the cuddly creature’s package, it spawns a group of diabolical creatures. This classic 80s horror film has heart, humor, and killer creature effects that will frighten your socks off.
In movies like Stranger Things, there are references to the film Gremlins. The ’80s movie is also a frequent one, and the show reflects the horror genre as well. The movie is not only filled with references to Gremlins, but also to other pop culture. A recurring theme in Stranger Things is the Demogorgon, a creature that is reminiscent of the Creepy crawler monster from the ’80s.
Overlord
If you’re looking for a movie with a high-tech plot and big-budget gloss, look no further. Overlord, from producers J.J. Abrams and Julius Avery, tells the story of a secret mission to liberate Germany from Nazi rule. A group of paratroopers arrives in the country ahead of D-Day, and while exploring the countryside, they stumble upon a Nazi military lab that’s undergoing secret military experiments. The resultant experiments threaten the very line between life and death. This movie seamlessly blends horror, science fiction, and history.
While Overlord is a modern-day re-imagination of a classic B-movie, it also manages to capture the spirit of the original. The film’s title refers to large trees grown in France, which have elongated stems and can be used to build structures. However, it is important to remember that movies like Overlord cannot be a substitute for a trip to France. Moreover, the country has changed quite a bit since 1944.
Gravity Falls
Gravity Falls is one of those movies that is based on the popular children’s show of the same name. The story follows a group of kids who visit their Uncle Stan in Gravity Falls, Oregon. Along the way, they stumble into a world filled with weird and wacky events. The film also features mastermind demon Bill Cipher. If this seems like a strange movie, think again.
The story and animation in Gravity Falls won several awards, including the BAFTA Children’s Award and two Emmy Awards. The show’s popularity among kids and young adults made it Disney XD’s highest rated animated series in 2015. The show broke several ratings records and garnered an incredibly broad fan base. In addition, it has spawned a variety of official merchandise.
Scanners
Scanners are fictional beings that control people by reading their minds. David Cronenberg’s 1981 horror/sci-fi classic Scanners is a prime example of the concept. The characters are created by a dubious corporation called ComSec, which is trying to develop ways to weaponize their abilities. This idea is fascinating because it explores the complexities of a corrupted corporation and unchecked military forces.
The Scanners are reminiscent of the telekinetic creatures in Stranger Things. During the film, Eleven has the power to squeeze the heads of goons, and the device uses his mind to control them. In a similar way, it also evokes the terrifying telekinetic powers of the Scanners from Ken Russell’s Altered States. But unlike Scanners, the film is much more subtle in its references.
The Twilight Zone
The first season of The Twilight Zone featured three stories, each about a different aspect of the human condition. The first season was the most successful, with a cast of veteran and up-and-comers. The second season was more uneven, with stories that ranged from a few minutes long to three hours long. It’s hard to pinpoint a particular episode, but all the episodes were very good. However, the fourth season suffered from a lackluster plot and felt scattered.
Though it has been more than four decades since the original series ended, “The Twilight Zone” has undergone several revivals. None of these reruns have had the cultural impact of the original series, but the recent revival aired on the CBS All Access streaming service and starred Jordan Peele, co-creator of the popular show and director of “Get Out” (2017). While Peele has not received the Emmy for “The Twilight Zone,” his film debut has shown his Serling-esque commitment to his work.
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