Is Stranger Things the Harry Potter of This Generation?
- Elizabeth Sanate
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Remember when Harry Potter had us sneaking books under blankets, trying to finish “one more chapter,” or yelling spells at the TV like it actually mattered? Fast-forward to now, and a new obsession has taken over people of all ages: kids, teens, grown adults who absolutely should be sleeping. And yes, it’s Stranger Things.
But can Hawkins really stand next to Hogwarts? Let’s dive into it.
Stranger Things: The friends who feel like family
Who didn’t want someone like Eleven in their corner? Or a loyal goofball like Dustin? Just like Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the Hawkins gang kind of sneaks into your heart without permission.
You laugh with them. You stress with them. And sometimes, you’re one more plot twist away from throwing your popcorn at the screen. When Hopper does something brave (or questionable), or when Will gets dragged into yet another terrifying situation, it hits you in the same place Potter fans felt it when Harry faced another impossible choice.
The friendships in Stranger Things aren’t just cute; they grow with you. Eleven learning how to navigate the world, Mike trying to understand his feelings, Lucas and Dustin sticking around no matter what… It’s messy, relatable, and exactly the kind of connection that keeps fans attached.
And honestly, who hasn’t imagined cruising through Hawkins on a bike, hoping to survive whatever monster shows up next?
Stranger Things: A World Full of Magic (But Without Spells)
Sure, no wands or broomsticks are flying around, but Stranger Things still feels magical in its own way. Hawkins gives us the whole moving-things-with-your-mind thing, secret labs, freaky creatures, and a shadow world we honestly hope never becomes real. It’s wild. The mix of '80s nostalgia and all that supernatural chaos makes something that feels familiar but also kinda new. Not gonna lie, it works.
And just imagine walking down a quiet street in Hawkins. The lights flicker for no reason, the synth music kicks in, and you suddenly feel like something is behind you. I’d probably run. But tell me that doesn’t give the same energy as walking near the Forbidden Forest at night.
And the most amazing part, Eleven pushing a whole bus with her mind might just beat half the spells Harry ever learned.
Even the small moments feel magical: Dustin fixing gadgets, the boys making plans in basements, Eleven eating her first real meal, or discovering what friendship feels like. It’s magic, just… wired through 80s lamps and walkie-talkies.
Stranger Things Fandom: Big, loud, and deeply obsessed
Harry Potter fans(the Potterheads) once waited in long midnight lines, but Stranger Things fans are already on TikTok sharing theories before the episodes even come out. It’s funny how it works, because the show isn’t just a show anymore, it’s basically its own culture at this point.
Running Up That Hill turned from a forgotten '80s track into a worldwide anthem after that one emotional moment. Fans dress up as the characters, pause scenes to look for clues, argue over storylines, and sometimes act like detectives who should probably be getting paid for all that effort.
“Did Hopper really survive?”
“What’s next for Eleven?”
“Is Max coming back stronger?”
The fandom gets wild in the best way. It’s creative, chaotic, and full of heart, the kind of spark Potter fans had back when the movies were dropping one after another.
Even celebrities end up joining the fun. Some share fan art, some react to theories, and a few even show up dressed like the characters. Hawkins stops feeling like a fictional place after a while. It turns into somewhere people like returning to, almost like it’s their own weird little town.
Is Stranger Things the Harry Potter of this generation?
Maybe it doesn't have spells, castles, or magic wands. But it does have heart.
It has fear, adventure, and friendships that keep fans hooked long after the credits fade. Those same things made Harry Potter unforgettable, and now they’re doing the same for Stranger Things.
Hogwarts felt magical.
Hawkins feels electric.
And for this generation, that electric feeling might be the story that stays with them for years, the one they’ll look back on and say, “Yeah… that was our thing.”
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