Anthony Mackie Called Out Stranger Things' Goonies Connection Years Ago
The Marvel star made bold claims about Netflix's hit series borrowing heavily from the 1985 adventure classic. His observations about underground worlds, alien creatures, and group dynamics might be more accurate than fans initially thought.
Back in 2017, Anthony Mackie made some eyebrow-raising comments at MCM London Comic-Con that got people talking. The Marvel actor didn't hold back when discussing how Netflix's supernatural hit mirrors the beloved 1985 adventure film.
During his panel appearance, Mackie was discussing the current state of Hollywood and how superhero movies have changed everything. He argued that the film industry now focuses primarily on making content for "16-year-olds and China," leaving little room for the classics that defined previous generations.
Then he dropped his comparison. According to Mackie: "Think of some of your favorite movies growing up, those movies wouldn't get made today. ['Goonies'] wouldn't get made today…'Stranger Things' is 'Goonies'… Three kids, go on a mission, find underground, there's an alien, kill the alien. 'Goonies'. Even when they found the little dark world where the alien was, they went down the slide…'Goonies'."
The Duffer Brothers' 80s Inspiration
Turns out Mackie wasn't completely off base. The creators behind the Netflix phenomenon, Matt and Ross Duffer, have openly acknowledged drawing from 80s classics when crafting their supernatural thriller.
Steven Spielberg, who created the story for the Richard Donner-directed film, actually praised the series. He noted how difficult it is to create truly original stories and commended how the show connects viewers to genuine experiences rather than just referencing other movies.
Both projects center on groups of kids taking matters into their own hands. The character parallels are striking too. Sean Astin's Mikey and Finn Wolfhard's Mike share more than just similar names - both serve as natural leaders of their respective groups.
Visual References and Costume Choices
The connections go beyond plot structure. For the latest season, costume designer Amy Parris revealed that Eleven's look was directly inspired by Josh Brolin's character from the 1985 film, mixed with elements from Punky Brewster.
Parris explained she studied actual yearbook photos from the era, not just movie stills, to create an authentic 80s aesthetic. The designer knew fans would have strong reactions to the costume choices, which they absolutely did.
The soundtrack also contains multiple nods to the adventure classic. These references weren't accidental - they were deliberate choices by creators who wanted to pay homage to the films that shaped their own childhoods.
Maybe Mackie's observations weren't as outlandish as they initially seemed. The actor spotted patterns that the show's creators have since confirmed were intentional influences on their work.