Anthony Mackie Once Called Out Stranger Things for Copying The Goonies
Anthony Mackie once drew a bold comparison between Stranger Things and The Goonies, sparking debate among fans. His comments at a 2017 comic convention raised questions about Hollywood’s creative direction and the real inspirations behind Netflix’s hit series.
Back in 2017, Anthony Mackie made waves at MCM London Comic-Con when he drew a striking parallel between Stranger Things and the beloved 1985 adventure comedy The Goonies. At first, his remarks might have seemed far-fetched, but a closer look reveals he may have been onto something.
Hollywood ’s Changing Landscape
During his appearance, Mackie reflected on the evolution of the film industry, expressing concern that superhero movies had overshadowed traditional movie stars. He remarked,
The evolution of the superhero has meant the death of the movie star.
He went on to say that the industry now primarily targets “16-year-olds and China, ” suggesting that many classic films wouldn’t get made in today’s climate.
Mackie then pointed out the similarities between the Netflix phenomenon and the classic ’80s film. He described the premise as,
Think of some of your favorite movies growing up, those movies wouldn’t get made today. [‘Goonies’] wouldn’t get made today…‘Stranger Things’ is ‘Goonies’… Three kids, go on a mission, find underground, there’s an alien, kill the alien. ‘Goonies’. Even when they found the little dark world where the alien was, they went down the slide…‘Goonies’.
His comments sparked debate: was this connection a stretch, or was he right on target?
Echoes of The Goonies in Stranger Things
It ’s no secret that Stranger Things draws heavily from ’80s pop culture, and the Duffer Brothers have openly paid homage to iconic works from that era, including Richard Donner’s The Goonies. The show’s setting, tone, and group of adventurous kids all nod to the spirit of classic films.
Steven Spielberg, who wrote the story for The Goonies, has praised the Netflix series, saying,
It’s hard to come up with an original story. I think we’re all influenced by the stories that came before us…The worst films just refer to other movies. The best films connect you to something that you’ve actually experienced. ‘Stranger Things’ has done that very well.
Both stories center on a tight-knit group of kids who take matters into their own hands, facing dangers and solving mysteries. While Stranger Things raises the stakes with supernatural threats, the treasure hunt in The Goonies was no small feat either.
Fans have also noticed character parallels: Mikey, Chunk, Mouth, and Data from The Goonies share traits with Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will from the Netflix series. Even the group leaders, Mikey and Mike, have similar names and roles within their respective crews. The show’s soundtrack and other subtle references further cement the connection.
Costume Inspirations and Character Design
Season 5 of Stranger Things took its inspiration a step further. Costume designer Amy Parris revealed that Eleven ’s look was influenced by Josh Brolin’s character in The Goonies, as well as the iconic style of Punky Brewster. She explained that the outfit was
a mix of Josh Brolin from ‘The Goonies’ and then Punky Brewster [Soleil Moon Frye], with her mish mash of cut up clothes that she just kind of grabbed as she went.
Parris also shared that Millie Bobby Brown’s costume was crafted after reviewing real yearbook photos, not just movie references. The intention was to create a look that would spark conversation among fans—and it certainly did. The similarities between the two projects, from character dynamics to visual cues, suggest that Mackie’s observation wasn’t so far-fetched after all.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix, while The Goonies can be found on Max through Prime Video.