
There is not going to be a day when a Stranger Things
enthusiast wakes up thinking that they should perhaps move on from it all. It is never that way. And a lot of the time, it is mother-internet itself who gives way to the pride and never-ageing intrigue that comes with uncovering the nitty-gritties of the beloved Netflix series. While the show does not have a sequel of any sort of date, the crystalline inspiration that paved the way for their monumental series has been mentioned time and again by Matt and Ross Duffer. And in recent times, it has made itself known on none other than Netflix.
While the series almost always finds itself in Netflix’s Top 10, this time around the ultimate inspiration behind the thrilling masterpiece stepped up to the task.
The real inspiration behind Stranger Things, and its late adaption
The Duffer Brothers have often blatantly mentioned their inspiration behind the dual-dimensioned world they had built within the Stranger Things’
account, the incorporation of elements like the Demogorgon and characters with personalities that resemble the campaigns of none other than Dungeons & Dragons.
And while the beloved had remained a board game and a simple brainstorm inducer, up until 2023, Jonathan Goldstein came up with an unadulterated adaptation of the board game, from pawn to pawn: the Netflix Top 10 charting as of March 2025,
Dungeons & Dragons : Honor Among Thieves,
with
Star Trek
poster-face Chris Pine at the center.
Having never played the game, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was a huge surprise. Laugh out loud hilarious, incredibly inventive action, and surprisingly moving at times.
Chris Pine whips ass in this (as always) and is supported by a charming cast of lovable characters. pic.twitter.com/rMxJOLj54e
— Cade Onder (@Cade_Onder) March 19, 2023
A fantasy heist film based directly on the popular tabletop game, Dungeons & Dragons
seems to be created for the sole purpose of giving life to the game. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, it follows a thief and his team on a quest to find a magical relic.
The film features a star-studded cast alongside Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez, and received positive reviews for its visual effects and overall appearance. The flick, in contrast to the Stranger Things
focuses more on the comical side of the game.
Read More: What Is the Veil of Fate Between Max and Vecna? Unravelling the ‘Stranger Things’ Connection
The Duffer brothers have always remained honest about them referencing the game, using it as a metaphor for the characters’ real-world supernatural encounters as well.
Dungeons & Dragons in Stranger Things
The Stranger Things’
premise has several inspirations behind its churning, from Stephen King, Larry Cohen and Aliens, Dungeons & Dragons
is perhaps the one that stands out the most. Seeming to draw references at three distinguishable points
within the show, the very first being its clear presence in the lives of the main characters Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will as they bond over the game. The monsters Demogorgon, Mind Flayer,
and Vecna
are all directly inspired by those of the game. References, like Lucas defeating Thessalhydra and discussions of “weird flowers
” and a “lost knight
,” connect the show to the game as well.
Now THIS is a #DnD set!
🎲 64-page adventure
🎲 Essentials rulebook
🎲 Fold-out maps
🎲 Cards for everything (sidekicks, conditions, items, quests, combat, initiative)
🎲 Full dice set (2d20, 4d6)
🎲 DM screen
🎲 6 blank character sheets (printed on nice stock)
Great job 🧙♂️! pic.twitter.com/64XL75uqdI— ThinkDM.org (@ThinkingDM) June 22, 2019
Stranger Things
deeply integrates Dungeons & Dragons
into its narrative, using iconic villains like Demogorgon and Vecna to symbolize supernatural threats. The show mirrors Dungeons & Dragons
storytelling structure as well, with characters embarking on quests and facing challenges akin to a campaign. This connection not only enriches the show’s lore but also highlights the sense of community and collaboration central to both Stranger Things
and Dungeons & Dragons.
Read More: From ‘Squid Game’ to ‘Stranger Things’: Top 7 Fan Favorite Netflix Shows Saying Goodbye in 2025
What do you think of the recently resurfacing Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves?
Let us know in the comments below.