In 2016, audiences around the world couldn’t get enough of Stranger Things, the unexpected hit series. The show pays homage to iconic 80s films by directors like John Carpenter and Steven Spielberg—with a storyline that’s nostalgic yet refreshingly original.

The show grew into a phenomenon largely by word of mouth. The show’s success is a testament to its excellent writing, editing, and razor-sharp attention to detail—plus amazing performances by its cast of charismatic and endearing actors.