The Legacy of Stranger Things

The Legacy of Stranger Things

Author: Jamie Logie | 1980s Pop Culture & Nostalgia November 19, 2025 Duration: 40:05

When it was released in the summer of 2016, not only did Stranger Things become a pop culture phenomenon, but it was also a true love letter to the 1980s.

Today, we look back at the creation, success, and impact of an era-defining show that introduced 1980s culture to a whole new generation. In this episode, we'll look at:

  • The struggles the Duffer brothers went through to get the show made
  • The specific premise they used that combined two 1980s icons
  • The real-life CIA experiments that led to the creation of Eleven
  • The 1980s movies that influenced the show
  • How Stranger Things became one of the crown jewels for Netflix
  • How Stranger Things may have led to a resurgence of 1980s-based movies and TV shows

The Everything 80s Movie Review Podcast: Patreon.com/80s


Step back into a world of neon, synth-pop, and big hair with Everything 80s. Hosted by Jamie Logie, this podcast is a deep, affectionate dive into the decade that shaped modern pop culture. It’s less a formal history lesson and more like rifling through a time capsule with a friend who remembers every detail. Episodes explore the films, television, music, and toys that weren't just entertainment-they were the shared language of a generation. You’ll hear specific discussions on everything from the rise of MTV and the cinematic magic of John Hughes to the toy-box revolutions of Transformers and the fantasy realms of He-Man. The conversation naturally spans the iconic, like Michael Jackson’s Thriller era, to the foundational moments of home gaming with Nintendo. This isn't just about listing favorites; it's about understanding why these cultural artifacts from the 1980s still resonate so powerfully today. For anyone feeling a pull of nostalgia or a curiosity about the era's lasting impact, this podcast offers a consistently engaging and insightful listen. Tune in to rediscover the sounds, stories, and sensations that defined an unforgettable ten years.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Everything 80s
Podcast Episodes
The Coleco Adam: The 1983 Home Computer Disaster [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:17
In 1983, Coleco launched the Adam--a bold attempt to turn its hit ColecoVision video game console into a full-fledged home computer. By this point in the 80s, Coleco had made a huge dent in the video game market, and, at…
Wheel of Fortune: From Daytime to Prime Time Juggernaut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:43
If you grew up watching Wheel of Fortune, you probably read the title of this episode the same way the audience would call it out during the show's opening. That's the cultural impact Wheel of Fortune had; it's the game…
The Care Bears: From Greeting Cards to Global Phenomenon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:34
The Care Bears weren't just colorful, stuffed animals--they were one of the biggest cultural and business success stories of the 1980s. From a simple sketch to the eureka moment of their final creation, the story of the…
War Games: Is It a Game, or Is It Real... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:52
When it came out in the summer of 1983, War Games was seen as a fun, summertime popcorn movie. But was the premise of this film starring Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy more realistic than we realized? Welcome to a fre…
The Comic Books of the 1980s: Two Eras in One Decade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
Even though part of it was considered the Bronze Age, the comic books of the 1980s were like a golden age for kids who grew up during that time. It was the decade that saw massive changes to how comics were distributed,…
How the Happy Meal Changed Fast Food Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:57
It could not have come out at a better time...When the Happy Meal was first launched at the end of the 1970s, it entered the 1980s as the perfect merchandising vehicle. Not only did the Happy Meal give us some of the mos…
The Max Headroom Incident [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
It was a Sunday night like any other. But for those living in Chicago, it would be a night they would not soon forget. For those tuning in to WGN-TV, their broadcast was interrupted by the most unlikely of people, one of…
The Suprising Story Behind the PG-13 Rating [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Today, we delve into the fascinating--and somewhat controversial--creation of the movie rating that changed Hollywood forever: PG-13. Born out of the wave of 1980s blockbuster movies that pushed the boundaries of family…
7 Failed Inventions From the 1980s [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:45
The 1980s were a time of tremendous innovation and creation. It's the decade that gave us the Walkman, the PC, the Space Shuttle, the Compact Disc, and a wave of groundbreaking inventions that helped shape the world we l…
The Life & Times of John Candy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Today, we look back at the unforgettable life and legacy of the great John Candy, one of the most beloved comedians of all time. And it was during the 1980s when he really rose to global fame. From his early days on SCTV…