Every phenomenon begins somewhere, and Stranger Things did not originate in a writers’ room or a formal studio pitch. It began with Matt and Ross Duffer assembling scenes from their favourite 1980s films on a laptop to demonstrate the tone they wanted to achieve.
Before Stranger Things had a world, characters, or mythology, the Duffers created a pitch video built from existing movie clips. They used scenes from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Hellraiser, and A Nightmare on Elm Street to show how the series would balance familiarity, suspense, and emotional storytelling. They paired these clips with a John Carpenter synth score to outline the atmosphere they were aiming for. According to Matt Duffer, they also produced a look book designed to resemble an old Stephen King novel, complete with aged pages and retro cover design. These materials were intended to communicate the intended style in a direct, visual way.
This approach was strategic. Before Stranger Things, the Duffers had worked on Wayward Pines, which taught them how easily a writer’s vision could be diluted during development. They were committed to presenting Stranger Things in a way that left little room for misinterpretation. Ross Duffer later said their goal was to make the show exactly as they imagined it.
Their pitch faced resistance. Several networks were unsure how to classify a series that blended child-led adventure with adult-oriented psychological horror. Executives questioned its commercial audience, arguing that it was too intense for younger viewers and too youthful for adults. The Duffers responded by relying on their pitch video and look book to demonstrate that the creative mix was intentional rather than unfocused.
The pilot script completed the package. It was a tightly written introduction that balanced science-fiction mystery with character-driven storytelling. Producer Shawn Levy first read the script after his executive vice-president Dan Cohen described it as one of the strongest pilots he had seen from unknown writers. Levy immediately recognised the clarity of the Duffers’ vision and understood how the tone of the show would work on screen.
The films referenced in the pitch materials were not chosen for nostalgia alone. They reflected the storytelling principles the Duffers wanted to emulate: E.T. for emotional sincerity, Hellraiser for intrusion of horror into everyday life, A Nightmare on Elm Street for the idea of danger crossing into ordinary suburban environments, and Close Encounters for a sense of dramatic discovery. These influences informed their narrative approach rather than serving as direct templates.
When Stranger Things premiered on Netflix in July 2016, the influence of the original pitch was visible throughout the series. The opening title sequence echoed retro book covers. The visual style reflected classic 1980s genre cinema, and the soundtrack leaned heavily on synth-driven compositions. Nothing about these elements replicated the past literally; instead, they adapted familiar aesthetics to support the story and characters.
Casting choices followed the same logic. Winona Ryder brought established associations with 1980s cinema, helping ground the show in its chosen era. David Harbour provided a character style reminiscent of the period’s dramatic leads. The younger cast members represented the tradition of ensemble adventure stories while allowing the show to focus on friendship, fear, and resilience.
The Duffers’ pitch demonstrated how a clear creative identity can guide a series from its earliest stages through full production. Their materials did not rely on spectacle or nostalgia for its own sake. They communicated an idea about how the show should feel and why those feelings would matter to viewers.
Stranger Things ultimately succeeded because the pitch the Duffers created — a combination of video, music, written material, and a strong pilot script — accurately reflected the direction of the finished series. It showed potential partners how genre, emotion, and character development could coexist. That early clarity became the foundation for one of Netflix’s most recognisable originals.
