The centerpiece of the season was the Starcourt Mall. It served as a vibrant monument to 80s consumerism and acted as the primary battleground. This setting allowed the show to pay homage to classic films like Dawn of the Dead and Back to the Future . 2. Growing Pains

When Netflix dropped on July 4, 2019, it wasn't just a return to Hawkins, Indiana—it was a vibrant, neon-soaked explosion of 1980s nostalgia. Moving away from the darker, autumnal tones of Season 2, the Duffer Brothers pivoted to a setting that felt instantly familiar to fans of 80s cinema: the chaotic, air-conditioned mall and the sticky heat of summer freedom.