Looking for Modern Media Set or Themed Around the 80s? Here's My Recommendations!

A healthy dose of nostalgia never hurt anyone.

Stranger Things (Netflix)

Starting out with one of the most popular Netflix shows of all time. If you like nostalgic music, crazy slang and sci-fi creatures, this is the show for you. I'm sure most have already heard or seen Stranger Things, but I cannot recommend it enough. It has everything you could want. A little bit of gore, a bucket load of comedy, a found family storyline with great character dynamics. All wrapped in a bow with some conspiracy theory sci-fi, portals to other dimensions and a little girl with the powers of telekinesis. If that doesn't sell you, the bright clothes and action sequences are sure to get you.

Cruel Summer (Amazon Prime)

Although, technically, the show is set in the 90s, it still follows many trends and tropes of the 80s. Told over three Summers, a young girl goes missing and another girl takes over her entire life. It has the perfect amount of mystery, plot twists that leave you shocked and truly polarizing opinions of the character's choices. If you're interested in small town with big secrets series, this might appeal to you.

Fear Street (Netflix)

Based on the work of R.L Stine and starring Sadie Sink (Stranger Things), Fear Street is a movie series surrounding three time periods that all contribute to one story. It has qualities of slasher films, a camp counsellor story and neon colors. The series is fairly frightening, with some interesting deaths and an inclusive cast and set of characters.

The Quarry (Video Game)

Supermassive's newest title is a game that I have not stopped thinking about since I played it. A story based game where the choices you make can be the difference between life and death, quick time events mean you have to be paying attention and the most seemingly insignificant dialogue choices actually mean the most. You follow a set of camp counsellors who are stuck at the camp one day after the kids leave, and you have to keep them alive for the night. I truly found it to be fun, especially with the stellar cast, hilarious and realistic script and an 80s DLC which adds new clothing options for the characters. Although the ending leaves something to be desired, I found it to be a fun game with a set of characters that I have been molding my personality after since I played it.

American Horror Story 1984 (FX, Binge, Disney+)

As bizarre as this series is, I found this to be one of the more underrated seasons of American Horror Story. I may be biased because it is like the 80s vomited all over the season, but I thought it was fun and scary. Once again, a camp counsellor slasher, but this is added to through real life serial killers, an irrational fear to the sound of keys jingling and a ridiculously funny fashion sense. Overall, if you're looking for a quick and fun series full of 80s slang, songs and slasher references, give it a go. Especially if you're an American Horror Story fan.

Cobra Kai (Netflix)

If you watched Karate Kid and sided with Johnny Lawrence, you will love Cobra Kai. Although it is not set in the 80s, it constantly references the music and culture of the decade, through original Karate Kid characters and actors. The show centers around Johnny Lawrence pulling his life together and opening a Karate Dojo, which peaks the interest of Daniel LaRusso and starts a battle of the Dojos. If you liked Karate Kid, this is the perfect dose of nostalgia without relying too heavily on it's base material.

Lake (Video Game)

If there's one thing I love, it's peaceful games. Lake is revolved around Meredith Weiss, a former resident of Providence Oaks, returning to take over the mail deliverer position while her father is out of town. While delivering the mail, you get to interact with members of the community and find a deeper story through the connections you form. It also has a relaxing soundtrack to listen to while driving around the serene map, finding 80s references throughout, but especially in the Video Store. If you want a peaceful game to relax and get cozy to, Lake is perfect for just that.

Mindhunter (Netflix)

Although the show is a lot less of a quirky, fun series than the others on this list, Mindhunter is great if you're looking for a new series to binge watch and have an interest in 80s True Crime. It follows Holden Ford and Bill Trench as they attempt to uncover the reasons behind serial killer's action and their psyche. It is a great look into the minds of murderers, while also picking a time period that it is most prominent in.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (Video Game)

The opening scene is enough to get you invested in the 80s nostalgia of Guardians of the Galaxy. Based on the film franchise of the same name, it follows Peter Quill as he navigates the galaxy after his mother's death in the 80s. Since then, he doesn't know life on Earth since the 80s, leaving him with a killer taste in music, fashion and slang. If you want something with 80s references but not completely overtaking the themes of the game, this is for you.

Inside Job (Netflix)

Another great show which is heavily inspired by 80s culture through conspiracy theories of the time period. Although only one episode is directly 80s themed, the show references the decade often and makes the most of the singular episode. The show is funny, with likeable characters and interesting storylines.

Regular Show (Cartoon Network)

On the topic of cartoons, Regular Show is a children's and teens series centered around a group of characters who work at a park. It's just a regular old kids show, but the music is almost always picked straight from the 80s and often makes references to the fashion, slang and culture. There are episodes themed around arcade games, VHS tapes, a band called Barracuda Deathwish (With striking resemblance to Motley Crue) and a slasher themed Halloween episode.

TO BE CONTINUED...