Nearly a decade after Stranger Things first cast its spell on viewers, co-creator Ross Duffer is marking the milestone with a nostalgic tip to the show's 1980s roots. The hit Netflix series may be celebrating its 10th anniversary, but the franchise is capitalizing on the era that inspired its identity, giving longtime fans another reason to come back to Hawkins. The latest announcement is a nod to the old home-video experience that helped define the decade in which the story is set. 

The anniversary celebration goes far beyond looking back at the show's remarkable journey. 

To celebrate the series’ 10th anniversary, Ross Duffer debuted a special VHS edition of Stranger Things Season 1. The special edition captures the experience of watching a 1980s rental tape that has been through the wringer, Netflix reported. The special presentation features pan-and-scan images purposely distorted and retro, lower-fidelity audio that mimics old analog VHS tapes. However, so far the throwback treatment has only been applied to the first 8  episodes of the series, but Netflix has hinted that if fans like what they see, subsequent seasons could get the same treatment. 

To celebrate the milestone, Matt and Ross Duffer reflected on the incredible journey Stranger Things has taken since its debut in 2016. As per Tudum, the creators said they feel a mixture of nostalgia, pride, and sadness after completing the live-action series and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the cast, crew, and fans who supported the show over the last decade. They said that this support helped turn Stranger Things from a surprise hit into one of Netflix's biggest franchises.

Netflix further reported that the anniversary is also about celebrating how the Stranger Things universe keeps expanding beyond the original series. Fans can also watch the animated spin-off Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 and the award-winning run of Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway and London's West End. As part of the festivities, the season 5-themed haunted house will also be featured at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, along with exclusive merchandise, collectibles, and other immersive fan experiences. 

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The ongoing expansion of the franchise reflects just how influential Stranger Things has become over the past decade. 

Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has become much more than a successful television series, emerging as one of Netflix’s most iconic global franchises. Its mix of 1980s nostalgia, supernatural mystery, and memorable characters spawned countless viral moments, Halloween costumes, and a renewed interest in the songs featured in the show. With time, the show has accumulated over 1.5 billion views and won over 70 awards globally.

Furthermore, the Millie Bobby Brown led show has been appreciated both critically and commercially throughout its entire run. Stranger Things has an IMDb rating of 8.5/10, and its first season is at a 96% viewers' score on Rotten Tomatoes. A decade after its debut, the series continues to be one of Netflix’s most lauded originals.  

Now, 10 years later, Stranger Things is still proving just how much reach its impact has. To celebrate its lasting impact, Netflix has come up with several methods, including relaunching the series on VHS and creating more content in the form of additional TV shows, theater performances, and even fan events. The franchise is about to take the next step in its development, and the anniversary marks its place among the most iconic pop culture moments of the streaming age.

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Will Netflix continue expanding the Stranger Things universe now that the original series ended? Let us know in the comments.