Netflix hit-series Stranger Things has brought back 1980s fashion and music, creating an impressive industry of merchandise and collaborations. Whether "Running Up That Hill" reminds you of Max or Lite Brite reminds you of Dustin, these tokens of nostalgia have woven their way into modern day culture. There is now an entire industry of the best Stranger Things apparel, the best Stranger Things toys, and even costumes, songs, and exhibits. Especially after this recent Season 4 installation in July 2022, the cultural influence of Stranger Things is hard to ignore!
How Stranger Things Influences Fashion and Music
Let’s start with the most influential niche: 1980s fashion and music. In terms of fashion, Stranger Things has stayed true to the colorful fashion choices of the 80s while also adding their own flair. After the first part of Season 4 was released in May 2022, the clothing brand Quiksilver launched a collaboration with Stranger Things to create a clothing line.
Quiksilver produced a Stranger Things short film called “Strange Surfing”, promoting their epic collaboration with Season 4 of the show. Their 80s-inspired clothing line features pieces with the Hellfire Club, the Upside Down, and Argyle's Surfer Boy Pizza brand from Season 4. Quiksilver even created a “Character Wardrobe”, where you can find certain clothes from the closets of Max, Mike, or Nancy!
Besides the classic 80s style, the characters themselves have become easy costumes and cultural icons. Vecna is the main antagonist in Season 4, and he quickly became a meme in pop culture for his terrifying yet somehow comical appearance. Also, Hawkins cheerleaders became a popular Halloween costume this year due to Chrissy the cheerleader in Season 4. Years prior, Eleven's pink dress from Season 1 was a popular option, as well as the sailor uniforms from Robin and Steve in Season 3.
As for musical influence, Stranger Things Season 4 created a tidal wave of popularity for Kate Bush’s hit song “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”. Max blasts this song on her Walkman to battle Vecna, and fans boosted the song almost 9,000%, taking this powerful tune to the top of the charts. Even dialogue from the show got turned into a popular sound on TikTok called “Chrissy, Wake Up”, a remixed version of Eddie trying to snap Chrissy out of her Vecna trance.
How Stranger Things Created Exhibits and Shows
A parody musical in New York City called Stranger Sings features the Stranger Things characters from Season 1 in a nostalgic, theatrical world. Using campy theatrics inspired by the beloved character Barb, this Broadway show heavily relies on the plot from Season 1, the culture in 1983, and the utter chaos that takes place in Hawkins, Indiana in Stranger Things.
There is also the unique Stranger Things: The Experience, an immersive and accurate walk-through experience in New York, Los Angeles, London, San Francisco, and Atlanta. This interactive experience takes fans through the Hawkins lab and 80s arcade with special effects, performances, and more merchandise available for purchase.
How Stranger Things Popularized 80s Merchandise
While Eggo waffles are not an exclusively 80s product, the merchandise sales related to waffles took off after Season 1 of the show. These waffles became a staple for Eleven, and now there is a Stranger Things Eggo Waffle Card Game and an Eleven Waffle Funko Pop. Lite Brite, an artistic 80s toy, is seen in Season 4 to communicate in the Upside Down. Some other Stranger Things toys from the 80s include Magic 8 balls, Rubik's cubes, and classic arcade games. There are many collectibles, puzzles, and stuffed animals related to the cast of Stranger Things, especially after four seasons of some of the best TV on Netflix.
How Stranger Things Promotes D&D
Much of the plot in Season 4 revolves around the Hellfire Club, or a Dungeons and Dragons high school club lead by Eddie Munson. Some of the best Stranger Things apparel includes those inspired by the Hellfire Club, with trendy baseball tees, D&D x Hellfire dice, and phone cases. D&D originated in the early 1980s, and now has continued to be a popular fantasy game with fans. While the highly anticipated Season 5 will wrap up this incredible television series, the influence this show has on our culture will be around for some time.