Some Are Wondering if 'Stranger Things' Is Based on a Book — What's the Truth?

Now that Stranger Things is coming to an end, fans want to know everything they can about the massive Netflix hit. The world of the series, which was created by the Duffer Brothers, draws inspiration from many corners of pop culture. It would be easy to think that the whole story came from a single source.

Is Stranger Things actually based on a book? Here's what we know about the cultural blueprint that served as inspiration for the massive streaming production. Not everything is as it seems in Hawkins, and that also applies to the ideas behind the thrilling television show.

No, Stranger Things is not based on a book. It's easy to understand why someone might think that these adventures made the jump from the page to the screen. There is something in the Hawkins air similar to what can be expected from the Goosebumps series of novels.

The Duffer Brothers were inspired by many narratives, but what can be seen on the Netflix screen belongs to them. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends were exclusively created for television.

In fact, Stranger Things is one of those projects that changed course because of its unexpected success. Before it was decided that the story of Eleven and her loved ones would continue, the streaming platform intended for the title to be an anthology (via The Playlist).

This means that, if the series were eventually picked up for a second season by Netflix, the story would have moved on to a completely different world and characters.

Obviously, the Stranger Things we know and love looks nothing like those original plans. Fans have followed Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and the people she protects for almost a decade. The experiment worked, and because these characters were able to stay on television, people from all over the world fell in love with them.

The fact that Stranger Things is not based on a book doesn't mean that Netflix isn't trying to turn the property into a massive franchise that could rival any pop culture giant. The First Shadow, the stage show that serves as a prequel to the series, is still putting up performances all over the planet.

That is not where the fun comes to an end. Netflix has announced that it will release an animated Stranger Things series that takes place between seasons of the main show (via Netflix).

The final season will bring the journey to a close. But as long as the property remains popular, Netflix will find unique ways to entertain people with what has been established in the series. Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has been stalking the town for a long time.

Only one group of intelligent teenagers can stop the massive threat. Portals are opened, monsters are unleashed, and countless viewers will watch this story for years to come.

Stranger Things isn't based on a book written by Stephen King or any other iconic horror author. Nevertheless, it can't be denied that the series could open up the door for younger audiences to be interested in everything the genre has to offer.