With the release of the final season of Stranger Things just around the corner, we decided to have a look back at some of the wonderful one sheet movie posters that are on show throughout the series. The series is renowned for giving off 80s vibes and we must give credit for how well the series showcases popular culture of the era and in particular, films and music.
The use of one sheet movie posters throughout the series is profound and it’s great to see such authentic media used throughout. Nearly every child’s bedroom throughout all the seasons to date has a movie poster hanging somewhere in the room. Adding to this, there are many other film references and movie going locations throughout. Whilst a lot of these posters help portray the 80s feel, others give meaning and clues as to what’s about to unfold, but it’s not often we see so many movie posters displayed as props throughout a television series.
So, let’s take a deep dive into the movie posters used throughout the entire series of Stranger Things.
Season One
The Thing – 1982
The first movie poster is seen less than three minutes into the first episode of the entire series! The first movie poster that we see is ‘The Thing’ from 1982. This poster is seen in nearly every season and throughout multiple episodes. The Thing movie poster can be spotted throughout scenes from the Wheelers basement.
Jaws (1975)
The next poster that can be seen is ‘Jaws’ from 1975. This is seen several times throughout the first and second series but can be first seen in episode two at the 47 minute 50 seconds mark. This poster is in seen in Wills’ bedroom. This is fantastic symbolism for what is about to unfold. The ‘upside down’ is where a monster lurks throughout the show. This is perfectly represented in the movie poster of Jaws where an innocent victim (Will) is unaware of the horror that is represented by the shark (the monster) that lurks close but cannot be seen. The waterline in the poster also acts as a great representation of the two existing realities between the real world and the upside down.
Of course, the original jaws poster is perhaps one of the most famous and sought after of all original movie posters so it’s great to see this iconic piece of media in one of the most watched TV Shows in the world.
Season Two
He’s Watching You (1942)
Although not a movie poster, we do see a very interesting poster in Murray’s basement in episode six of season two. This is an extremely famous WW2 propaganda poster and is aptly placed in the character Murrays basement.
Season Three
Season three of Stranger Things sees perhaps the most movie posters shown out of any season. This is partly due to the fact that a cinema and movie rental shop feature relatively heavily throughout the season and both have a number of one sheet movie posters in light boxes. The third series is set in the summer of 1985 so many prominent summer blockbusters are showcased. The 1980s was a time when posters began transitioning from single sided to double sided and this innovation in technology that we see throughout much of the third series. That said, this is where some artistic license has been taken by the producers as several of the posters that are shown in light boxes are in fact only available single sided and were never intended to be produced double sided. The vast majority of cinemas in 1985 did not yet have available light boxes.
Cocoon (1985)
The first poster we see is that of ‘Cocoon’. Seen 9 minutes 45 seconds into the first episode of the third series. This is where Mike, Will, Max and Eleven sneak into the cinema through the service door.
Explorers (1985)
We also see the movie poster for ‘explorers’ at the same timestamp.
Day of the Dead (1985)
The next poster we see in series three is just 9 minutes 50 seconds in to the first episode. Day of the dead is prominently seen in a light box as a ‘sneak preview’. The film itself was released on the 19th July 1985 so fits in with the timeline of the setting. This is the film that the young characters sneak in the back and go and watch in this episode.
The Endless Summer (1966)
This poster can be found on the wall in Max’s bedroom in series three episode four. This poster can also be seen in Max’s caravan in the first episode of series four. The film itself is from 1966 but we cannot find any genuine examples of this exact poster used. We believe that this poster has been taken from generic sellers/ reprints and is not the genuine official artwork for the film which is a surprising omission considering the care and detail that was put into all the others. You can see what the real poster looks like further below. The two images below show the poster from the third and fourth season and is a great example to show how different the look is between two series. A much cooler, less saturated look appears to be applied to the fourth series and it’s interesting to see the changes between seasons.
Back To the Future (1985)
A heavily featured poster and film appears in season three episode seven. Robert Zemeckis’ Back to The Future poster can clearly be seen as some of the characters head back into the cinema. The 1985 film is an 80s classic but once again, artistic liberties have been taken as this movie poster was not sent to cinemas double sided. This poster also appears in season four episode two.
Wizard of Oz (1939)
In episode eight of series three, we see the oldest and rarest poster we see throughout the entire four seasons of Stranger Things. This can be seen on the wall of Suzie's bedroom.
Firestarter (1984), Sixteen Candles (1984) and Scarface (1983)
Later on in episode eight, we see the ‘family video’ where Steve and Robin are seeking jobs. There are no less than three movie posters in shot all at the same time. We see the movie posters of Sixteen Candles, Firestarter and Scarface all displayed. Once again, artistic license may have been taken as they are once again displayed in light boxes.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The first poster we see in the 4th season of Stranger Things comes 13 minutes 40 seconds into the first episode. We see the film ‘The Dark Crystal’ which was released in 1982. This poster is seen in Mikes bedroom and is a new prop added to this set for the fourth series.
The Last Dragon (1985)
The next poster we see is once again in the video rental shop. Appearing in the second episode of the fourth season.
The Muppet Movie (1979)
Episode six of the fourth season shows us another poster. This time in Suzie’s bedroom. The Muppet Movie from 1979 can clearly be seen.
So there we have it, all of the movie posters used throughout stranger things. Nearly all of the movie posters used are US One Sheets and although some artistic license may have been taken, we're nonetheless impressed at the use throughout the show. Whether to show hidden meaning regarding the plot or display classic 80s vibes, the use of movie posters throughout is cleverly done and great care has obviously gone in to choosing which posters to show for which characters throughout the entire series.