On July 4th, Stranger Things 3 premiered on Netflix, and fans can feel the '80s more than ever. The hit show is known for all the strange things that happen in the small town of Hawkins, but perhaps it's even more known for its time period. And in the summer of '85, Hawkins, Indiana does not fall short on the '80s references. Not only does the show reference '80s popular culture like the movie Back to the Future, and the song Material Girl, but there are a lot of references to other things that were going on at the time.
1. The death of small-town businesses.
With the new Starcourt Mall in Hawkins, many local business owners are mad with the loss of business. In the '80s, shopping malls were being built at an all-time high rate.
2. Coca-Cola.
Product placement is hardly a new concept, but there are a TON of scenes where Coca-Cola is present in Stranger Things. In 1982, Coke acquired Columbia Pictures, which led to an increase in Coke product placements.
Not only is there product placement of Coke, but it also references Coca-Cola's 1985 "New Coke" marketing flop. In 1985, Coke tried to rebrand itself with a new formula called "New Coke" that was widely unsuccessful, which was demonstrated in the seventh episode when Lucas is enjoying a "New Coke" while everyone else looks at him in disgust.
3. The feminine storyline.
In the new season, Nancy and Jonathan have a summer job at the local paper: The Hawkins Post. At her job though, all of the males treat Nancy like a house-keeping secretary. Nancy is upset with this because she believes she can do more than just answer the phone and grab a coffee. At the same time, El and Max also grow closer, and Max teaches El that there is more to life than boys and that she can make her own rules.
In the '80s, women started to want to do more than just sit at home or answer the phone. Between shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and books like The Feminine Mystique, women began to realize they can have a bigger purpose than just being a housewife. And with girls as bad ass as Nancy, El, and Max, they can handle anything thrown at them.
4. Corrupt government.
The Hawkins mayor plays a big role in the strange things happening around Hawkins, and corrupt government was not unheard of in the '80s. With the Watergate scandal breaking in the '70s, political corruption began to become a bigger concern with citizens.
5. The Reagan era.
Reagan's popular campaign slogan "Let's Make America Great Again" was popular, and national pride was at a high. Between the Hawkins Fourth of July celebration, and Dustin and the Scoop Troop's decoding of a Russian radio broadcast, the show does a great job at displaying America's pride in their country.
In this season, the '80s nostalgia can be felt even more. I can't wait for season 4 and what other '80s memories they can bring back to the screen.
