Cover Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5. (Photo: Netflix)
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5. (Photo: Netflix)
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The ‘Stranger Things’ cast shares their favourite films, revealing influences on and off-screen
As Stranger Things continues to grab attention with its latest season, the series’ cast remains a hot topic, not just for their acting but also the cultural influences that shape them. Outside of Hawkins and the Upside Down, the actors have shared their diverse film tastes, ranging from classic horror to intimate indie dramas. Their favourite movies offer insight into what moves them creatively, emotionally and nostalgically, and sometimes even suggest what inspires their approach to their roles in Stranger Things 5.
Read more: From child stars to power players: the evolution of the 'Stranger Things' cast
Sadie Sink
Above Sadie Sink brings depth and edge to Max, showing a love for imaginative, character-driven stories (Photo: Netflix)
Sadie Sink brings depth and edge to Max, showing a love for imaginative, character-driven stories (Photo: Netflix)
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Portraying the fiercely independent Max, Sadie Sink balances vulnerability and defiance in Stranger Things 5. Her favourites reflect a mix of whimsy and incisive storytelling. She lists Pan’s Labyrinth, Waiting for Guffman, Close and School of Rock among her top picks, films that range from dark fantasy and character-driven drama to musical comedy, highlighting a taste for narratives that combine emotional depth with inventive storytelling.
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Gaten Matarazzo
Above Gaten Matarazzo’s charm as Dustin is mirrored in his taste for nostalgic, heartfelt and humour-filled storytelling (Photo: Netflix)
Gaten Matarazzo’s charm as Dustin is mirrored in his taste for nostalgic, heartfelt and humour-filled storytelling (Photo: Netflix)
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Gaten Matarazzo, the endlessly charming Dustin, brings humour and heart to his role. His favourite films span genres and eras, from the sci-fi classic Empire Strikes Back and the bittersweet Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to family-friendly Finding Nemo and the quirky musical Once. Together, these selections show a penchant for stories with memorable characters and inventive narratives.
Finn Wolfhard
Above Finn Wolfhard channels Mike’s intensity, favouring visually striking and genre-defining films (Photo: Netflix)
Finn Wolfhard channels Mike’s intensity, favouring visually striking and genre-defining films (Photo: Netflix)
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Finn Wolfhard, who plays the loyal and intense Mike, gravitates toward films with strong visual style and music-infused storytelling. Among his favourites are American Werewolf in London, Quadrophenia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Phantom Thread, reflecting an interest in genre cinema, cultural touchstones of youth, adventurous narratives and meticulous period dramas, mirroring the versatility he brings to Stranger Things 5.
Noah Schnapp
Above Noah Schnapp captures Will’s emotional core, reflecting an interest in suspenseful and classic cinema (Photo: Netflix)
Noah Schnapp captures Will’s emotional core, reflecting an interest in suspenseful and classic cinema (Photo: Netflix)
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Noah Schnapp’s portrayal of Will, whose experiences anchor much of the emotional core of Stranger Things, is informed by a taste for high-concept thrillers and classic cinema. His top films include Jaws, Die Hard, Back to the Future and The Wolf of Wall Street, spanning iconic action, suspense and character-driven storytelling, suggesting a combination of nostalgia and appreciation for tightly constructed narratives.
Millie Bobby Brown
Above Millie Bobby Brown’s portrayal of Eleven mirrors her taste for heartfelt and adventurous storytelling (Photo: Netflix)
Millie Bobby Brown’s portrayal of Eleven mirrors her taste for heartfelt and adventurous storytelling (Photo: Netflix)
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Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, the series’ enigmatic and powerful central figure, has cited Up as a favourite. Its emotional resonance, storytelling economy and blend of adventure and poignancy seem to align with the depth she brings to Eleven in Stranger Things 5, demonstrating an appreciation for films that are both heartfelt and imaginative.
Charlie Heaton
Above Charlie Heaton’s introspective Jonathan aligns with a preference for coming-of-age drama and suspenseful narratives (Photo: Netflix)
Charlie Heaton’s introspective Jonathan aligns with a preference for coming-of-age drama and suspenseful narratives (Photo: Netflix)
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Charlie Heaton, who plays the introspective Jonathan, gravitates toward coming-of-age and horror classics. Stand By Me and Nightmare on Elm Street top his list, reflecting a connection to stories that explore adolescence, moral complexity and suspenseful atmospheres, qualities that inform his nuanced performances in Stranger Things 5.
Winona Ryder
Above Winona Ryder enjoys a mix of historical dramas, coming-of-age stories and dark comedy (Photo: Netflix)
Winona Ryder enjoys a mix of historical dramas, coming-of-age stories and dark comedy (Photo: Netflix)
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Winona Ryder, who plays Joyce, the emotionally grounded mother, has long been drawn to films that combine social consciousness with personal storytelling. Her favourite movies include Matewan, Au Revoir Les Enfants, Lost in America and Afterlife, reflecting an interest in historical narratives, human resilience, satirical commentary and explorations of mortality, mirroring the depth and intensity she brings to Joyce.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
