Stranger Things may have just ended, but you can bet there is more to come from the franchise. The finale was met with a mixed response, but the Netflix hit series still has plenty of fans, ensuring that the stories will not end there. Even before the finale, the streaming service confirmed an animated Stranger Things spinoff was coming, and that is just the beginning.
While the finale tied up the main story of Vecna, the Mind Flayer, and the Upside Down, there are still plenty of exciting directions the franchise can take from here. From shows expanding on the mysteries that were introduced in the first series to following beloved characters on new adventures, these are the Stranger Things spinoffs we'd be most excited for.
The discovery of The Abyss
The final season of Stranger Things revealed new truths about the Upside Down, revealing that it was something very different than what we originally thought. Rather than being an alternate dimension, the Upside Down is actually a bridge created to reach the home of the Mind Flayer - this dark alien world was known as The Abyss.
It is clear that the military knew about the Abyss for quite some time and has been hoping to harness its powers. This is an origin story worth exploring and a series focusing on that could show how this amazing discovery of another world filled with living creatures turned into a nightmare when they found the evils that lurk in the Abyss.
A vampire story
Dungeons and Dragons has been a big part of Stranger Things from the beginning, with the Mind Flayer, Vecna, and many of the other threats coming directly from that board game. However, there is one type of villain D&D lovers were waiting to see in Stranger Things but never did. That leaves the door open for a vampire-inspired spinoff series.
The final D&D campaign that Mike and the others play in the Stranger Things finale did feature a vampire villain, which could hint at the spinoff. It would be an ideal subject matter for the franchise to explore, as it can mix in a little horror while taking inspiration from '80s teen vampire stories, like The Lost Boys and Salem's Lot.
Nancy Wheeler: Investigative Journalist
While it is important for the Stranger Things spinoffs to venture into new territories, it is hard not to think about the fun of following some of the beloved characters on new adventures. Exploring what Eleven's new life is like or even a Bad News Bears-style comedy with Steve sounds fun, but the character who would make the most sense leading a spinoff is Nancy Wheeler.
Nancy grew into a truly formidable hero over the course of Stranger Things' five seasons, but it might be fun to see her in a more grounded setting. Nancy's career path as a journalist has been a big part of her arc and presents a really fun avenue to explore further. The finale confirmed that this career is getting started, and it could be that Nancy's investigative journalism leads her into some supernatural areas once again.
Alien invasion
Stranger Things has taken a lot of inspiration from various pop culture sources, but the Amblin movies of Steven Spielberg have been some of the biggest. If a Stranger Things spinoff wants to keep a similar vibe, an alien invasion story could be the ideal path to take. Having E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind as inspiration would be especially fun.
The finale introduces a magic rock that connects Henry Creel to the Mind Flayer. It is entirely possible that The Abyss is actually an alien planet, and some of the creatures from it could come to Earth. Like a vampire story, it provides a story that can be filled with horror and adventure, a combination that made Stranger Things such a hit in the first place.