If you haven’t seen the smash hit Netflix show of the summer "Stranger Things," you are seriously missing out. Not only does the show blend all sorts of genres into a sci-fi/mystery/coming-of-age tale, but it does so with an amazing cast of child and adult actors. This new series brings you back to the '80s movies everyone loved, with an exciting and innovative twist. However, myself, along with a group of other fans, have realized just how inspired the creators of the show were by 8'0s movies. So here you have it, *11* ways "Stranger Things" is basically just like "The Goonies."
1. Set In The '80s
The most obvious similarity between the two projects is the decade they were set in, the 80's. While "The Goonies" was actually filmed in '85, "Stranger Things" was filmed this past year (2015) yet it was set in '85. The set for both the movie and tv show reflect the looks of smaller towns at that time. Go '80s!
2. Bikes Are Baes
Bikes are the key transportation for these boys' adventures, where both the Hawkins AV Club and the Goonies utilize their bikes to find what they're loooooooooking for. *Insert 2009 Carolina Lair hit*
3. Chasing After A Mythical Turned Real Person/Creature
For the "Stranger Things" gang, it takes them a while to figure out just what they're chasing. At first, it was just to find their friend and then they're running toward the dangerous demogorgon. For "The Goonies," it's One Eyed Willy whose treasure turned out to be real all along #spoileralert.
Most Importantly, The Gang’s All Here
4. Dustin: Chunk
These beams of light, centers of comic relief, and all around adorable nuggets are the glue that hold both cinematic masterpieces together. Where Chunk has the Truffle Shuffle, Dustin has his cleidocranial dysplasia, aka toothless disease. Both have a love for food, as Dustin's survival materials featured all snacks, and his quest for chocolate pudding rivals Chunk's love for a hot piece of pizza.
5. Mike/Will Byers: Mikey
Now the argument can be made that either Mike or Will is comparable to the leading Goonie, Mikey. Team Will reasons that as the key navigator to the Upside Down and ultimate change-maker of the group, complete with an older brother, Will is more of a Mikey. Now, I'm team Mikey-Mike, where his antsy and eager personality lead the bunch throughout the series on the normal side. What team are you?
6. Lucas: Mouth
7. Mr.Clarke: Data
8. Jonathan: Brand
Although they don't look comparable at first, these two older brothers would do anything to protect their families. Where Brand had his weightlifting, Jonathan had his photography, yet both hold an air of mystery and a misfit attitude that make them not part of the stereotypical 80’s “Cool Kid” crowd.
9. Nancy Wheeler: Andy
10. Barb: Stef
Open your eyes, people! Barb is basically the exact same plot device as Stef, the dorky friend of the bubbly, well-liked girl with oversized glasses. Both question their friend's decisions and do basically nothing else. I know the #JusticeForBarb trend is real, but I'm sorry, she's just not nice enough to Nancy for me to care. Also, Stef is just funnier, get over it.
11. Who's Eleven?
One last thing that we can’t deny… Eleven doesn't match with any character in The Goonies and I'm big enough to admit that. So, last but not least, I give you...El as E.T. 80's cinema comes through one last time.
Until next time, take care and watch out for demogorgons!
