8 Sci-Fi Movies From The ’80s You Should Stream If You Loved ‘Stranger Things’

The neon-soaked decade churned out some seriously awesome genre flicks that capture that same sense of adventure, wonder, and let’s face it — questionable hairstyles. So grab your Walkman, fire up your streaming service of choice, and get ready for a righteous trip back in time. Here are 8 totally rad 80s sci-fi movies to scratch that Stranger Things itch.

The Goonies (1985)

Think Stranger Things but swap the Upside Down for underground pirate caves. The Goonies is follows a ragtag bunch of misfits who stumble into the adventure of a lifetime. These scrappy underdogs are on a treasure hunt to save their homes, dodging booby traps and a family of criminals along the way. It’s got that perfect ’80s mix of danger and fun. And between Chunk’s truffle shuffle and Data’s wild inventions, it’s a non-stop nostalgia trip that’ll make you wish you’d spent more time exploring creepy attics as a kid.

Gremlins (1984)

Imagine if Will’s D&D monsters came to life and decided to trash the town — that’s Gremlins in a nutshell. It all kicks off when Billy gets the world’s worst Christmas present: a cute furball with a laundry list of care instructions. Naturally, those rules get broken faster than you can say “midnight snack,” and soon the town’s overrun by scaly troublemakers. It’s part horror, part comedy, and 100 percent ’80s madness.  

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Before Eleven was eating all the Eggos, a lovable alien in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was chowing down on Reese’s Pieces. Spielberg’s classic is the OG “kid befriends weird creature” story that could have easily inspired Stranger Things. After young Elliott finds a stranded alien that looks like a sentient raisin, heartwarming chaos ensues. But when government agents catch wind, Elliott and his pals have to find a way to send E.T. home.  

The Lost Boys (1987)

Trade the Demogorgon for vampires with killer hair, and you’ve got The Lost Boys. This stylish horror-comedy follows two brothers who move to the “murder capital of the world” (great choice, Mom) and find out it’s Vampire Central. It’s got the two Coreys, more leather jackets than you can shake a stake at, and enough hairspray to make the ozone layer weep. The movie oozes ’80s cool from every pore, serving up a bloody good time that’s part horror, part MTV music video.

The Thing (1982)

If the body horror of Stranger Things kept you up at night, The Thing is about to show you what real nightmares are made of. Set in Antarctica, it’s all about a shape-shifting alien that can mimic anyone. Kurt Russell and his magnificent beard lead a cast of increasingly freaked-out dudes as they try to figure out who’s human and who’s not. The practical effects are so gross they’re awesome. Just maybe don’t watch this one before a camping trip with your buddies.

Firestarter (1984)

Before Eleven was flipping vans with her mind, Charlie McGee was turning up the heat… literally. Based on a Stephen King novel, Firestarter follows a young Drew Barrymore as she runs from shady government types who want to use her pyrokinetic powers. It’s got psychic battles, conspiracy theories, and enough ’80s synth music to make your mullet grow back. If you dug the “weird kid with powers” vibe of Stranger Things, this one’s gonna light your fire.

Explorers (1985)

Remember when the Stranger Things kids built that sensory deprivation tank? Explorers takes that DIY spirit to the stars. A baby-faced Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix play kids who build a spaceship in their backyard  (typical ’80s summer stuff.) Their homemade flying saucer leads to an alien encounter that’s equal parts weird and wonderful. The special effects might look a bit cheesy now, but the wide-eyed wonder is timeless. It’s like if the Hawkins A.V. club decided to go interstellar.

Aliens (1986)

If you thought the later seasons of Stranger Things needed more pulse rifles and fewer teenage mood swings, Aliens has you covered. Sigourney Weaver’s no-nonsense space hero Ripley sets out with her team of explorers to investigate an alien ambush, but they’re about as prepared for the monstrous creatures as Steve was for babysitting in season 2. It’s a non-stop thrill ride with quotable one-liners, awesome action, and alien terror that’ll make the Demogorgon look like a cute puppy.