Duffer Brothers Reveal Three Desert Island Movie Picks
The creators of Stranger Things share their ultimate film choices, including surprising selections that showcase their diverse cinematic tastes and creative influences.
The masterminds behind Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, have built their reputation on creating television's biggest phenomenon in recent years. However, their creative DNA stems primarily from cinema rather than TV shows. Throughout their Netflix series' five-season run, movie references have been carefully embedded into every storyline, making it clear these brothers understand what separates good films from truly exceptional ones.
Their hit series stands apart from previous big-budget television productions. While shows like Lost and Game of Thrones certainly had massive followings, the way Stranger Things releases sporadically and generates enormous anticipation has transformed each season into a genuine cultural moment. When pressed to choose their most "endlessly rewatchable" films for a hypothetical desert island scenario, the duo had definitive answers ready.
Classic Space Opera Excellence
Their first selection, The Empire Strikes Back, hardly comes as a shock to anyone familiar with their work. This Star Wars installment consistently appears on greatest-films-ever lists, and Stranger Things contains numerous references to that galaxy far, far away. Viewers have drawn clear parallels between the show's characters and iconic Star Wars figures - Mike Wheeler embodies Luke Skywalker's heroic spirit, while Steve Harrington channels Han Solo's quick wit and charm.
Time Travel Perfection
Back to the Future earned the second spot on their list, which makes perfect sense given Stranger Things' deep connection to 1980s culture and language. Beyond being an outstanding time-travel adventure with brilliant science fiction concepts, this film established the blueprint for what an ideal '80s teenage protagonist should represent. The show's main characters seem to draw inspiration from Marty McFly's energy and determination. Season five even featured an electrocution stunt that deliberately echoed the famous clock tower sequence from the original film.
An Unexpected Crime Thriller Choice
While fans might have expected the brothers to round out their trio with obvious '80s favorites like Gremlins, Ghostbusters, The Goonies, or A Nightmare on Elm Street, they surprised everyone by selecting Heat, Michael Mann's 1995 crime masterpiece. This intense thriller about obsession and psychological breakdown couldn't be more different from Stranger Things in terms of mood and approach. The film was initially received with lukewarm reviews and modest box office numbers, but has since gained recognition as one of Mann's greatest achievements.
Mann's career trajectory offers an interesting parallel to the Duffer brothers' path. He started as a television creator with Miami Vice before transitioning to feature films. Now that the Duffers have announced their intention to move away from potential Stranger Things reboots and focus on theatrical releases, Mann's career evolution might serve as their roadmap for the future.