Netflix has definitely hit the nail on the head when it comes to creating a nostalgic sci-fi drama that is utterly irresistible to anyone fortunate enough to grow up in the 1980’s.

Most people my age remember classic movies like “ET”, “The Goonies”, “Gremlins” and other Spielbergian-like productions that harnessed the mystery and secret adventures of kids, supernatural beings, teenage romance, and heartfelt endings.

Throw in an enigmatic yet vulnerable character of a teenage girl with magical psychic abilities and its easy to get swept up in the storyline where each episode leaves you with a cliffhanger at the end of each installment, encouraging you to binge-watch at least two to three episodes at a time.

The one thing that really sets this series apart from all others is its ability to trigger viewers into nostalgically remembering all the fun things we used to do as kids. But, unfortunately, many of these authentic pop culture references will seem strange and illogical to much of today’s youth.

Case in point, the traditional 80’s version of playing computer games. The “Arcade” was a hallowed and revered spot where kids would be dropped off and spend hours jointly enjoying video games that sucked our 25 cent quarters like water. A place where securing the high score on an arcade game was a challenge for all others to try to best.

Who didn’t love the thrill of playing arcade games like “Street Fighter”, “Knights of the Round” or “The King of Dragons”, all side-scrolling games that captured our imagination and emptied our wallets of our meager allowance!

“Stranger Things” doesn’t just allude to our past, it actually helps us to feel normal about reveling in our own nostalgic memories of being able to ride our bikes across town, traipse through the woods in search of adventure, and generally be able to trust most adults to keep us safe.

Juxtaposed against the modern hectic connected and the frequently digital life we now live, this series truly makes viewers reminisce about the types of freedoms we took for granted when we were young.

So, my suggestion is that if you truly want a trip down memory lane coupled with the excitement of a horror flick…clear your schedule, dim the lights, and then sit back and watch as this delightful show takes you back in time for a precious few hours.

Note: To all readers who read this post and also enjoyed the 1980’s…please share your most treasured memory of that time in the comments section below. Looking forward to hearing from you.