While the hit Netflix show Stranger Things has won praise for its science fiction elements and '80s setting, fans also love the friendships between the main characters. As soon as Will goes missing in season 1, his friends are there for him, trying to solve the mystery and bring him back, while all the while wondering why their small town of Hawkins, Indiana seems to be so strange.
While fans wonder what plotlines season 4 will have, it's fun to take a look at the friendship advice that viewers can take away from this beloved Netflix show.
People Of Different Ages Can Become Friends
Fans loved watching Steve and Dustin become friends. Dustin always looked up to Steve and thought that he was so cool, and it was adorable to watch Dustin hanging out with Steve at Scoops Ahoy in the mall.
Stranger Things gives fans this important friendship advice: people of different ages can definitely become pals. While at first, Steve might have figured there were too many years between him and Dustin, they got along so well and had so much fun together that it didn't matter.
Friendship Doesn't End When People Move Away
The season 3 finale was pretty heartbreaking. Joyce moved away from Hawkins with her sons Jonathan and Will. It was tragic that Will and his friends would have to be separated. What was clear, though, was that they would continue being as close as possible, and they were excited about the day when they would see each other again. It's definitely true that people can keep up their friendships even when they don't live in the same place. Of course, that's easier today than it was back in the '80s thanks to texting and social media.
Everyone Feels Left Out Sometimes
Also in season 3, Dustin felt left out of his friend group when everyone was coupling up. Max and Lucas had feelings for each other, and Mike and Eleven had liked each other for a long time. Dustin was also upset that his friends thought that his girlfriend, Suzie, was fake, and he finally proved that she was totally real.
Dustin has a great friendship tip for fans of Stranger Things: everyone feels left out at times. In a large friend group, it's hard not to feel that way, and as long as everyone is honest, they can get through it.
Be Open-Minded About Making New Friends
While Eleven and Mike do have some problems, many viewers ship them and always want them to stay together.
When Eleven first came to Hawkins in season 1, Mike thought it made sense to say that she had run away from home, and he wanted to figure out how to help her. Right away, the friend group was there for Eleven. They didn't know anything about her but they were open to making new friends and letting someone into their circle — mostly. This is good advice, as it's nice when a group of friends is still happy to hang out with someone else instead of ignoring them and figuring that they have enough friends. The gang is also very welcoming to Max.
There's More To Life Than Joining The Popular Crowd
Barb went missing in the second episode of Stranger Things when the Demogorgon found her at a party, and it's amazing how quickly viewers fell in love with this character.
Before this tragedy happened, Barb was uneasy about her friendship with Nancy. It seemed like they had been close for a long time, but as Nancy started dating Steve and became more popular and cool, Barb knew that something was changing between them. This friendship dynamic offers up smart advice: there are more important things than joining the popular crowd. Once Barb was gone, Nancy definitely realized that she loved and cherished the relationship that she had with her.
Friends Need To Be Honest With Each Other
Sometimes it seems like little white lies and keeping small secrets is the best way to maintain a friendship. But as the characters on Stranger Things proved, keeping important things from friends isn't the way to go.
At the beginning of season 3, Will could tell that the all-powerful Mind Flayer was still around. He kept it to himself, and things only got worse, as everyone else realized that the creature must have had Billy. If Will had told his friend group his suspicions, maybe they could have done something sooner.
Don't Underestimate A Friend's Younger Sibling
For many teenagers, having to deal with a younger sibling can be super frustrating, especially when a friend comes over. All they want to do is hang out in peace and the little kid keeps wanting to be part of the fun.
On Stranger Things, Mike and his friends realized that Lucas's younger sister Erica had a lot to offer in their quest at the Starcourt Mall. Erica crawled through the mall's vents and helped everyone out, and from that moment on, she got the respect that she deserved.
Sometimes People Don't Get Along Right Away
Max made a big impression on the friend group when she moved to Hawkins. She was tough, strong, and cool, and while everyone was interested in befriending her, Mike took some time to warm up to her.
This is relatable, as in many cases, sometimes people don't get along right away. It takes them a minute and then they eventually become close pals. Mike was worried that with Max around, his social circle would change too much.
Friends Shouldn't Feel Bad About Having Different Interests
Will had a tough time at the beginning of the show, being sent to the Upside Down and not knowing if he would ever find his way back to his friends and family.
In season 3, Will had trouble fitting in with his friend group. While he still wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons like always, his pals were becoming interested in dating, and he wasn't quite there yet. This is a relatable storyline, and it shows that friends can have different interests and it's all okay, as long as they still make time for each other and know that they still mean a lot to one another.
Friends Can Accomplish Anything When They Support Each Other
It might sound a bit cheesy, but Stranger Things definitely proves that as long as friends have each other's backs, they can achieve amazing things.
This is true in every season of the show. The young characters manage to fight back against the supernatural elements in their town, and no matter what they're up against, they work together as a team.