Easter Eggs and References You Might Have Missed in “Stranger Things”

According to Forbes, this fourth season will have nine episodes. The first six episodes average around an hour and 15 minutes each but the next three episodes are actually around the length of a movie.

Episodes seven and eight range from an hour and twenty-five minutes to an hour and thirty-eight minutes long. Shockingly, the final episode of the season will be two and a half hours long!

On May 27, the first seven episodes will drop. Five weeks later on July 1, the final two episodes will be released. 

On top of this, each episode has a budget of $30 million. To compare, according to Variety, Game of Thrones’ final season cost roughly $15 million for each episode. 

While rewatching the past three seasons, many easter eggs and movie references are hidden throughout the show. 

The new season is bound to have more hidden surprises and references back to previous ones, so here are several that I found interesting before you watch season four! 

WARNING: SPOILERS INCLUDED 

Here are 10 Easter Eggs and References You Might Have Missed in “Stranger Things” Seasons One Through Three 

Eleven and “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” Movie Reference 

Similar to the plot of “E.T.”, the boys have to keep Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) hidden from their parents due to her mysterious powers in season one.

In order to keep her from being noticed by locals or recognized by those chasing after her, they used a wig and dress as a disguise.

This is an obvious reference to “E.T.” since this was the same disguise E.T. wore to not be detected! 

Source: https://bit.ly/3wvGi5U 

“The Shining’ Reference 

Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) takes an axe to the wall of her home after communicating with her missing son in season one.

After looking at the damage she created, she looks through the gaping hole. 

At this moment, she closely resembles Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” after they both reach their breaking points. 

Source: https://bit.ly/3wvGi5U 

“X-Men Comic #134”

Right before Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) disappears in season one, he makes a bet with Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) that if he wins the race home, he gets dibs on the “X-Men #134” comic book.  

Many fans researched what this specific comic book withheld and it goes along with the “Stanger Things” plot perfectly. 

Jean Gray, one of the X-Men characters, transformed into the Dark Pheonix in this issue, turning her into an unstable telepathic and telekinetic.

This is hinting toward Eleven before she is even introduced to viewers since she has the same powerful skills as Gray. 

Source: https://bit.ly/3wvGi5U 

Murray’s Phone Number 

During episode six of season three, Murray’s (Brett Gelman) phone number was left on the screen a little longer than normal.

This obviously caught viewers’ attention making them wonder what would happen if they called the mysterious number.

Many people have uploaded videos of what the voicemail sounds like if you are interested. 

If you want to give the number a call, go for it! The number is (618-625-8313). 

Source: https://bit.ly/3yQEDcx 

Mike Gives Eleven His Poster 

This is a small but very sweet easter egg but Mike (Finn Wolfhard) had a poster of a bird in his basement in seasons one and two.

During season three, you can see this poster on Eleven’s bedroom wall. How sweet! 

Source: https://bit.ly/3yQEDcx 

“It” and “E.T.” Rain Jacket References 

With both ‘It” and “E.T.” revolving around children dealing with out-of-this-world creatures, it is not shocking that there are many references to both films. 

In season three, Eleven and Max (Sadie Sink) wore rain jackets that corresponded to both movies. 

Eleven wore a red rain jacket that matches the hoodie worn by Elliott in “E.T.”

Max’s rainjacket is bright yellow and looks identical to Georgie’s yellow rain jacket in “It.”

Though it could be a coincidence, there have been so many references to both movies that it most likely was done on purpose. 

Source: https://bit.ly/3yQEDcx 

Hopper Gives Eleven His Daughter’s Bracelet 

Throughout seasons one and two, Hopper (David Harbour) wore a blue hair tie that once was his daughter’s. 

Near the end of season two, Eleven is about to attend the Snow Ball and Hopper gives her the bracelet. 

Eleven continues to wear the hair tie on her wrist for the rest of season three. 

At one point before the two split up, Hopper even plays with the hair tie on Eleven’s wrist. 

Source: https://bit.ly/3yQEDcx 

Jaws Uniform Reference 

When watching “Jaws”, you might notice a similarity when looking at Police Chief Brody’s uniform.

It is very similar to the uniform Hopper wears in “Stranger Things”, especially with the triangular patch on the left shoulder.

The only difference between the two uniforms is the design of the city name! 

Source: https://dcdr.me/3sRLxud 

Firestarter Reference

When I was rewatching season one, Eleven’s Aunt describes the rumors about her niece. 

“You read any Stephen King?”, she asked Hopper and Joyce.  

A specific Stephen King novel perfectly describes Eleven and her powers – “Firestarter.” 

In “Firestarter”, a powerful young girl was abducted by the government because she had powerful pyrokinetic abilities. 

She also wore a headset with electrodes and has a father who has nose bleeds when he uses telepathy. 

Sound familiar? 

Source: https://dcdr.me/3sRLxud 

New Coke Featured

In April 1985, Coca-Cola released “New Coke” with a new formula. 

Ultimately, it flopped, bringing the classic Coca-Cola back to shelves by the end of that summer. 

In season three, you can see Karen (Cara Buono) drinking a “New Coke” by the pool which corresponds with the time period the season took place in! 

Source: https://bit.ly/3LQ7Ffr