5 wild ‘Stranger Things’ possible spin-off ideas
(Credit: Netflix)

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5 wild 'Stranger Things' possible spin-off ideas

Netflix released the second volume of Stranger Things season four on July 1st, 2022. The two feature-length episodes will set the tempo for the fifth and final season which will admittedly be quite bittersweet.

Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Jamie Campbell Bower, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Charlie Heaton, Natalia Dyer and Matthew Modine among others, Stranger Things became an instant global sensation on its release in 2016.

Created by the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, the show is a nostalgic ode to the 1980s and the genre of sci-fi. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, the show is a not-so-subtle tribute to their favourite author and the master of horror, the legendary Stephen King.

While Stranger Things is coming to an end, the Duffer brothers have teased a potential spin-off to the show since each of the characters has individual opportunities for their respective narrative arcs to add to the heightened drama and tension within the series. 

While not much is known about the spin-offs, we decided to brainstorm some ideas that would make a wild spin-off to Stranger Things. Let us know if you agree!

5 wild ‘Stranger Things’ possible spin-off ideas

A Jopper storyline

Joyce and Hopper have been through a lot. Despite the amount of trauma and grief, they have individually been through, their love and respect for each other are absolutely phenomenal. From losing his daughter to cancer and dealing with substance abuse, Hopper’s character reaches a redemptive arc over the last three seasons, making him one of the best characters on the show. Joyce’s warmth, kindness and compassion have repeatedly been tested by her ex-boyfriend’s unprecedented death, her son going missing and various other factors but the woman remains resolute.

While the fourth season records a tearful reunion between the duo- Joyce travels to Russia with Murray to rescue Hopper after various daunting obstacles- many fans have predicted Joyce’s possible death since Stranger Things will most likely focus on a few shocking major character deaths. If Joyce remains alive till the fifth and final season, we would love to see a Jopper storyline where the duo finally unite in peace and provide each other with the love and comfort they deserve. We would love to see how they rebuild Hawkins and become pillars of strength for the town that has been ravaged by supernatural disturbances.

Hawkins, decades later

The popular clown horror film It, based on Stephen King’s novel, had a second chapter that saw the gang reunite in their old town following similar reoccurrences from their past where Pennywise the clown seemingly comes back to life to haunt them. If the fifth and final season ends on a happy note albeit with a few deaths (I fear for Eleven’s life), it would be cool to see the gang come back to Hawkins for yet another showdown and some unfinished business.

Hear me out, it necessarily does not have to be a full-blown series. A feature-length film would perhaps suffice. Perhaps Dustin would like to avenge Steve? Perhaps, Mike needs to know whether Eleven is alive when she sends him signs? Perhaps the Demogorgon returns to haunt the next generation and Hopper and Joyce send the gang a distress call? Endless possibilities!

A Demogorgon origin story turned alien invasion

While the Demogorgon and Mind Flayer are all monstrous entities from the parallel dimension, we would love to see the proper origin story. We would also want to see the Duffer brothers explore more of the Upside Down and bring forth more monsters if there are any. It would also be exciting to see a sudden alien invasion since nothing seems impossible in Hawkins.

Stranger Things is no stranger to illegal government experimens and projects. A possible revelation of yet another shady project that could lead to an alien invasion or even a deadly virus outbreak could be a pretty intense idea. Perhaps the Hawkins gang could reunite to save the day? One can only imagine an epic showdown.

A supernatural ode to the ’60s and ’70s

The ’60s and ’70s are considered ripe eras in the genre of horror. From films like Rosemary’s Baby, Psycho and Night of the Living Dead to The Exorcist, The Omen, Carrie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Alien and more, the eras have been revolutionary in modifying cinema and cuture. The eras witnessed the birth of brilliant directors and cinematic movements as legions of horror filmmakers defined and redefined the horror genre.

While Stranger Things is an ode to the enigmatic eighties, it would be interesting to see if the Duffer brothers would go back in time to pay tribute to the sixties and the seventies. Besides referring to Stephen King classics like Carrie and The Shining, they could perhaps explore a whole new world of Satanic cults, rituals and sacrifices while bringing to fore a Devil’s spawn who cursed the town of Hawkins.

A futuristic sci-fi sequel

As much as we revel in the aesthetics and nostalgia of the evocative past wonderfully constructed by the Duffer brothers, we would definitely like a futuristic sci-fi spin-off that also involves the coveted sci-fi theme of time travel. From HG Wells to Isaac Asimov, authors have always been fascinated by the subject of time travel which has trickled into the sensibilities of various filmmakers.

Introducing a time travel storyline could widen their horizon. Not only would the characters manage to go back in time but also travel to a futuristic Black Mirror-like dystopia which is perhaps ridden with Robots. A robotic Demogorgon with the shrewd knowledge of AI? How terrifying does that sound?