🍿 Stranger Things Fans Should Definitely Watch These Movies

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Our newsletter today is all about the movies that came before. In the case of our list of movies to watch to scratch the Stranger Things itch before it premieres its final season on Wednesday, it’s a question of either finding the ‘80s films that inspired the nostalgic Netflix series or honing in on flicks that fit the creepy Cold War vibe of Hawkins, Indiana.

As for our exclusive interview with the stars and director of Eternity, we couldn’t help but ask them about the film’s vision of the afterlife, which has some eerie similarities to what we saw at the end of 1997’s Titanic. Whereas that might just be coincidence (or a case of cryptomnesia), there’s no doubt what The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is inspired by, but as a prequel it has the unusual (but fun) circumstance of showing us the younger versions of characters we’re already familiar with.

That’s not to say that new movies are always derivative of what came before. In fact, whether it’s through unconscious influence or deliberate homage, similarities like these make us feel comfortable with or even excited by the familiar. A very cozy sentiment right before Thanksgiving!

— Michael Ahr, Newsletter Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

• Our list of movies to prepare you for the return of Stranger Things 🎥

• An exclusive interview with the director and stars of Eternity 🎬

• Our analysis of the trailer for The Hunger Games prequel 🎞️

• …and more!