The Enduring Cultural Impact of Stranger Things

It’s time to go back to Hawkins one last time. This month marks the beginning of Stranger Things‘ final season, with the first four episodes dropping on November 26, the day before Thanksgiving. 

To say that the show has had a massive cultural impact since it first dropped on Netflix in 2016 would be an understatement. This horror-infused drama quickly became a fan favorite.

It drew people in with the elusive Upside Down and mysteries galore for viewers to unravel. 

Nine years later, Stranger Things has remained a massive cultural phenomenon, a feat that very shows manage to achieve. Even though the show hasn’t ended yet, it’s easy to predict that its legacy will outlive its five-season run. 

Here’s a look back at the impact of Stranger Things on television and pop culture over the past decade. 

Stranger Things Helped Establish Netflix’s Reputation

Long before the streaming wars began, Netflix started as a DVD mail-in service and only transitioned to a streaming platform in the mid-2010s.

Although House of Cards is often credited with bringing Netflix’s platform to fame in 2013, Stranger Things increased the streamer’s popularity among teens. Since the cast members were also teenagers at the time of the first season, this show appealed to a younger audience that was initially drawn to the platform.

While the teen show genre might not be prestige television, it can do wonders for a streaming service. Take The Summer I Turned Pretty, for example, and how it helped establish the Young Adult genre for Prime Video’s catalogue. 

Also, there weren’t many other streaming platforms at the time, so plenty of people were willing to try out Netflix and see what the hype was about this new series. 

Plus, the fact that Stranger Things blends several genres—adventure, supernatural, horror, and drama—means it had such broad appeal that it got people talking about Netflix’s name.

Since its initial release, Stranger Things has become synonymous with Netflix’s brand. Though there are now countless shows that also define the streamer, like Squid Games, the hold the show had on viewers was unprecedented at the time. 

Every time a new season of this series drops, there’s always record-breaking viewership. After all, Stranger Things ranks in the top 3 of most-watched shows of all time on Netflix.

With how much the final season has been talked about, surely millions will tune in to see how the exciting saga concludes. And even after it ends, people will likely keep using Netflix to rewatch and relive the glory of this iconic series. 

Stranger Things’ Cultural Relevance is Beyond Measurement

Even for those who haven’t watched the show, Stranger Things has undoubtedly become ingrained in modern-day pop culture. From having an entire Broadway musical based on the universe to the Scoops Ahoy costume, everyone has at least had some form of contact with this series. 

Stranger Things also has so many distinct features in its expansive world that people can easily recognize, such as the iconic Christmas lights. It’s even more impressive that the show managed to establish such an immersive setting without spin-offs or additional media. 

While some shows only thrive during their early seasons, Stranger Things Season 4 proved that this series has staying power in pop culture.

Introducing Eddie Munson, played by the beloved Joseph Quinn, ushered in a new era of fans obsessed with the character, skyrocketing the series’ relevance once again. 

Also, Season 4 included a scene featuring the song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. This scene brought the tune back, helping it reach over 1 billion streams on Spotify about 35 years after its 1985 release. 

The trajectory of the Stranger Things cast’s careers also illustrates how the show has played a significant part in pop culture. Most people associate stars like Millie Bobby Brown with her role as Eleven, and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington has been a fast fan favorite. 

Most shows are lucky to launch one or two actors into the height of their careers. But Stranger Things has proven, time and time again, that it can bring its cast members to the spotlight. 

All in all, this series has shaped both Netflix’s position in television history and modern-day pop culture in truly remarkable ways. Though we may be saying goodbye to the heroes of Hawkins soon, it’ll be a long time before we’re bidding farewell to Stranger Things. 

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The first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 premiere on November 26 on Netflix.

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