Stranger Things

Stranger Things is a Netflix original series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. The first season focuses on the investigation into the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the town including the appearance of a psychokinetic girl who helps the missing boy's friends in their own search. The second season, titled Stranger Things 2, is set a year after the first, and deals with attempts of the characters to return to normal and consequences from that season.

The second season was heavily promoted with a Ghostbusters influence, which is not surprising as the series (for this season) takes place in late October and early November 1984. The use of Ghostbusters was officially approved by Columbia Pictures/Sony, Ghost Corps, Ivan Reitman, and Dan Aykroyd. As a result, Netflix was able to use the iconic Ghostbusters logo and jumpsuits in Stranger Things promotional materials and merchandise. The first three episodes of the season carried a "Special Thanks to Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. and Ghost Corps" notation in the end credits.

Season 2 Episodes[]

All episodes were released on October 27, 2017. The season was announced with a promotional photo showing Dusty and the boys in their Ghostbusters costumes from episode 2.

"Chapter One: Madmax" (Season 2, Episode 1) - The season starts on October 28, 1984 and progresses from there. Joyce Byers (Wynona Ryder), Will's mom, sews a No Ghost logo onto his costume, which is a tease for the big reveal in the next episode.

"Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak" (Season 2, Episode 2) - It's Halloween and all four of the boys wear Ghostbusters costumes. The boys are upset because two of them wanted to be Venkman. They all assumed the black kid would be Winston. They have homemade Proton Packs and Ghost Traps. Ray Parker, Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" song plays in the episode and during the end credits.

"Chapter Three: The Pollywog" (Season 2, Episode 3) - Dusty is still wearing his Ghostbusters costume at the start of this episode. We see an official Ghostbusters fan club "Certificate of Anti-Paranormal Proficiency" on his bedroom wall, though it's hard to see in the dark. He keeps the "pollywog" in his homemade Ghost Trap. The last we see of the uniforms/costumes is when Dusty is passed out from eating Halloween candy.

"Chapter Four: Will the Wise" (Season 2, Episode 4) - The "Certificate of Anti-Paranormal Proficiency" on the wall next to Dusty's aquarium is seen again, this time in a lit room.

"Chapter Nine: The Gate" (Season 2, Episode 9) - Nancy notices that Dusty is sitting all alone at the dance, having been rejected by all of the girls that he asked. As she goes over to him, there's a shot that starts on his sneakers and pans up to his face. Those sneakers are the Ghostbusters Reeboks that have been made available for sale in real life. This is the only time in the season that we see the sneakers, and it's not in the best of light.

Season 4 Episodes[]

The first seven episodes were released on May 27, 2022, with the final two released on July 1 that year.

"Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse" (Season 4, Episode 2) - At the 8:20-8:26, 9:26, and 45:31 minute marks, the Ghostbusters (1984) VHS boxes are on the shelf in the New Releases section of Family Video.

"Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero" (Season 4, Episode 3) - At the 42 to 42:37 minute mark, in Dusty's bedroom, when Lucas Sinclair gets on the CB radio, the "Wanted! To Save the World" application to join the 1984 Ghostbusters Official Fan Club can be seen in the right corner.

Season 5 Episodes[]

The first four episodes were released on November 27, 2025. The next three episodes were released on December 25, 2025, and the finale episode was released on December 31, 2025.

"Chapter Five: Shock Jock" (Season 5, Episode 5) - Just after the 20:15 mark, Erica Sinclair (portrayed by Priah Ferguson) grabs a Hi-C Ecto Cooler amid a pile of junk food. (Note: Season 5 takes place in 1987, making the Ecto Cooler an anachronism.)

Ghostbusters-Related Merchandise[]

Trivia[]

In order to use the Ghostbusters costumes, Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer had to get permission from Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd. They had to have a phone conversation with Ivan Reitman because he and Dan Aykroyd had to grant approval. ^[1] ^[2]
Upon completion of filming season 2, Finn Wolfhard was sent a nice gift basket from Ghost Corps. The note on the card, signed by Ivan Reitman & Dan Aykroyd, read "Finn, From all of us at Ghost Corps, congrats on wrapping Season 2 of Stranger Things! We can't wait to see the spirit of Ghostbusters come alive this season! Best, Ivan Reitman & Dan Aykroyd." Finn posted a photo of it on his Instagram account on May 11, 2017. ^[3] Finn would later play Trevor Spengler in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
On November 22, 2017, Sesame Street posted an online spoof of Stranger Things titled "Sharing Things". A nod to the Ghostbusters scene features Grover standing in as Lucas and Ernie as Dustin while Jennifer Barnhart puppets a Will muppet and Martin P. Robinson puppets a Mike muppet. (Watch Video)