Since 2016, the young cast members of Netflix’sStranger Thingshave impressed audiences with their heartfelt performances, which means there is no excuse for overlooking the actors' other amazing projects. Over the course of nearly ten years,the Duffer Brothers have crafted four (going on five) seasons of their sci-fi TV series,Stranger Things.Along with the 1980s nostalgia and thrillingly dark plot, the show is a success because ofStranger Things’talented ensemble cast. From icons like Winona Ryder to newcomers like Millie Bobby Brown, the show offers something for everyone.
Generally, the cast ofStranger Thingsis split up into two parts: the adult cast and the young cast.Stranger Things’young castincludes Finn Wolfhard as Mike, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Noah Schnapp as Will, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, and Sadie Sink as Max. There is also Joe Keery as Steve, Natalia Dyer as Nancy, Maya Hawke as Robin, and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan. For the most part,each of these actors has delved into projects outside ofStranger Things,and fortunately, many of these movies and series are more than worth the watch.
The Peanuts Movie
Cast
Directed by Steve Martino, The Peanuts Movie is a 3D-animated movie based on the Peanuts comic strip from Charles M. Schulz. The film plot revolves around Charlie Brown trying to get The Little Red-Haired Girl’s attention, while Snoopy focuses on writing his own book about him taking on the mantle of the Red Baron.
The only project on this list that actually premiered beforeStranger ThingsisThe Peanuts Movie.This animated feature film is based on the beloved comic strip known asPeanuts,and follows Charlie Brown as he develops a crush on the red-haired girl next door. Noah Schnapp, who is best known for playing Will Byers inStranger Things,gives an adorable performance as Charlie. To be able to embody such an iconic character at such a young age is truly a gift, and more audiences should experience Schnapp’s performance.
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In terms of critical ratings,The Peanuts Moviehas a solid 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside a 76% audience score. Those who have seen the movie found plenty of nostalgia within the film, and admired how the movie updates the classicPeanutsstories while also providing the old essence that made them lovablein the first place. ThoughThe Peanuts Moviemay not represent who Schnapp is now, it will remind audiences that he has long been a notable young actor.
Free Guy
Free Guy tells the story of Guy (Ryan Reynolds), an NPC in an MMO video game called Free City who unexpectedly gains sentience and uses it to achieve his true potential. Aided by video game developer Keys (Joe Keery) and player character Millie (Jodie Comer), Guy helps to uncover Free City’s source code in an attempt to prove that its developer (Taika Waititi) stole the code. With his best friend, NPC Buddy (Lil Rel Howery) at his side and armed with an array of video game weapons, Guy must face threats from both inside and outside of his virtual world.
A far more recent moviefrom theStranger ThingscastisFree Guy.This 2021 film follows a bank teller named Guy who discovers that he is a background character in an open world video game. No longer satisfied with being nameless, Guy decides to rewrite his own story and make himself the hero. Although the movie stars Ryan Reynolds as the titular guy,Stranger Things’Joe Keery appears as the character Keys, who co-developed the video game and whose avatar is described as a “dirty stripper cop.”
Despite having more of a supporting role, Keery’s performance inFree Guyis definitely still worth watching. InStranger Things,it is easy to fall in love with Keery’s quirky charm as Steve Harrington, yetprojects likeFree Guyallow Keery to get even weirder and more unexpected.It also helps thatFree Guyis a generally enjoyable movie. With an 80% critics score on RT, the movie will leave audiences laughing, but also inspired to take control of their own lives.
Honor Society
Honor Society follows high school student Honor Rose (Angourie Rice), an ambitious teenager vying for a coveted recommendation to Harvard. Navigating competitive classmates and high school politics, Honor formulates a plan to outsmart her top competitors, including charming new student Michael (Gaten Matarazzo). Directed by Oran Zegman, this film offers a sharp look at the lengths one might go to achieve their dreams.
For those who want a slightly different version ofStranger Things’high schoolers, a great option isHonor Society.The coming-of-age comedyfollows an ambitious senior named Honor who is determined to get into Harvard for college. However, to achieve her dreams, she insists that she needs a letter of recommendation from her guidance counselor, Mr. Calvin. In order to knock out her competition for Calvin’s letter,Honor begins sabotaging her fellow students, unaware that they may be just the people she should be spending her time with.
Gaten Matarazzo boasts a very successful theater career, appearing in Broadway shows likeSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetandParade.
Gaten Matarazzo long ago proved his ability to play an awkward yet charming teenager, andHonor Societypulls on this archetype even further. Across fromHonor Society’sAngourie Rice,Matarazzo shines with his quirky humor and relatable spirit.Arguably,Honor Societywent under the radar upon its release in 2022, but the movie is well-rated and deserving of more praise.Honor Societyproves that coming-of-age stories can still be fresh, entertaining, and incredibly real.
Do Revenge
Camilla Mendes and Maya Hawke star in Do Revenge, a Netflix comedy film about two high schoolers that after experiencing social bullying on a spectacular scale, become social outcasts. When Drea (Mendes) has a private video of hers leaked out across the internet by her boyfriend, her social life and brand are irreparably tarnished, leaving her outside her prior social circle. Eleanor (Hawke) experiences a similar situation when her bully, a girl named Carissa (Ava Capri), spreads a rumor that she tried to hold her down and kiss her. When the two form an unexpected friendship, they plan to “do revenge” against each other’s bullies in an elaborate scheme to tear them down.
Another 2022 movie with a member of theStranger Thingscast isDo Revenge.A Netflix original,Do Revengefollows two teenagers: Drea and Eleanor. After her boyfriend published her sex tape, Drea is hoping to get revenge. Meanwhile, Eleanor is haunted by a rumor that she wants to put to an end. Thus,the two young women work together to get back at those who wronged themand revive their reputations. Maya Hawke plays Eleanor, alongside Camila Mendes.
Stranger Thingsoften benefits from its sense of nostalgia, andDo Revengehas the same effect but in a vastly different way. As a teen black comedy,Do Revengepulls on themes of typical teen comedies, while also going the extra mile to entertain and astonish audiences.The movie is hilarious, colorful, and full of references that will delight any fan of teen movies. All in all,Do Revengeis a great watch, even for those who aren’t familiar with Hawke’s hilarious demeanor.
Sadie Sink As Ziggy
Fear Street
Fear Street is a multimedia franchise created by R. L. Stine that began as a book series in the 1990s. The story centers on the town of Shadyside, a place cursed for centuries until a group of teenagers are forced to find a way to break it. Otherwise, they’ll fall victim to deathless serial killers who continue to return until they kill their target. The series was brought back as a three-film event on Netflix in 2021 and gained widespread popularity.
As much asStranger Thingscan be a feel-good series, it also has plenty of horror elements as well. Those who enjoy the show’s darkness should definitely pick uptheFear Streettrilogy, but in particular,Fear Street Part Two 1978andFear Street Part Three 1666.In these slasher films,teenagers from the violent town of Shadyside try to investigate a witch that they believe cursed their town.Over the course of several decades, the truth comes out about what is haunting their suburban neighborhood.
The Whale Confirms Sadie Sink Is Stranger Things' True Breakout Star
Sadie Sink was arguably already the best young actor in Stranger Things, especially after season 4, and her performance in The Whale reinforces that.
Sadie Sink plays two different characters in theFear Streetfranchise: Christine “Ziggy” Berman and Constance “Ziggy” Berman. In this way,Sink defies time by playing related characters in two vastly different eras. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Sink’s talent. Sink is incredibly adept at embodying very serious and intense roles.Fear Streetis the perfect example of her ferocity, which makes her stand out in an ensemble. Plus, the firstFear Streetmovie also features Hawke in its cast.
Enola Holmes
TheEnola Holmesfranchise reinvents the classic detective genre with a fresh, youthful energy, centering on Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister, Enola. Led by Millie Bobby Brown’s charismatic performance, the films follow Enola as she navigates Victorian-era mysteries and societal challenges, all while outsmarting her famous brother. With its blend of sharp wit, engaging mysteries, and a strong feminist undertone,Enola Holmeshas quickly become a standout series on Netflix, with a third installment in the works.
Following the success ofStranger Things,Millie Bobby Brown has appeared in a number of other projectsto varying degrees of success. One of her very best is theEnola Holmesfranchise. Inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’sSherlock Holmesnovels,Enola Holmesfollows the titular Enola, the younger sister of Sherlock, who decides to run away from the safety of her home when her mother goes missing. Although she gets into various scrapes, Enola uses her natural wit and investigative skills to solve the case.
Though Eleven is a fantastic hero and easy to root for, Enola offers a slightly different variation to the female heroine.
It is extremely refreshing to see Brown in a role like Enola Holmes. Though Eleven is a fantastic hero and easy to root for, Enola offers a slightly different variation to the female heroine. She is more outspoken, more steeped in culture and history, and she reminds audiences of theSherlock Holmesmysteries that are hard not to love.Brown is a joy to watch in these movies, especially alongside talent like Henry Cavilland Helena Bonham Carter. Those who have yet to seeEnola Holmesmust add it to their list.
Concrete Cowboy
Inspired by the real the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, Concrete Cowboy follows a troubled teen sent to live with his estranged father in North Philadelphia, where he discovers Philadelphia’s urban cowboy subculture. Caleb McLaughlin and Idris Elba star in the 2020 adaptation of Greg Neri’s novel Ghetto Cowboy.
Among the youngStranger Thingscast, one of the most underrated actors is Caleb McLaughlin. For this reason, it is imperative that viewers check out his 2020 movie,Concrete Cowboy.In the film, McLaughlin plays Cole, a teenager who is always getting into trouble at school. As a result, his mother drops him off in Philadelphia with his estranged father. From there,Cole learns about the real life culture of horseriding in Philadelphia,while forming a newfound bond with his father.
Concrete Cowboyhas not received nearly as much attention as it deserves. The movie has a star-studded cast including Idris Elba, and has earned a solid 80% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. Even better, it is readily streaming on Netflix.Concrete Cowboymay not be the best movie on this list, but it ranks highly because it is such a hidden gem.McLaughlin gives a moving performance as Cole, and the film itself delves into a part of American culturethat more people should know about.
Yes, God, Yes
Yes, God, Yes is a coming-of-age film starring Natalia Dyer as Alice, a Catholic teenager navigating the complexities of adolescence and sexuality. Set in the early 2000s, the film juxtaposes her newfound desires against her religious upbringing, highlighting the tension and challenges of teenage self-discovery.
Another great teenage comedy featuring Natalia Dyer isYes, God, Yes.In this film,Dyer plays Alice, a nice Catholic girl whose point of view begins to change when she finds herself on an AOL chat that gets unexpectedly racy. With her religious views suddenly in flux, Alice must figure out her morals and whether her usual way of life is still a good fit for her.
Alex Breaux
Unknown
Yes, God, Yeshas a pretty simple premise, but it executes it to the highest degree. With a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has been praised for hilariously and gently covering a topic that is essential for young people.Yes, God, Yesmay seem like nothing more than a sexual comedy, but in reality, it speaks to an issuethat countless teenagers face. Overall, Dyer gives a riveting performance in this underrated coming-of-age story.
It Chapter Two
It Chapter Two follows the now-adult members of the Losers' Club as they return to Derry 27 years after their first encounter with the malevolent entity Pennywise. Drawn back by a fateful phone call, they must confront their past and the lingering threat of the shape-shifting clown.
Some of theStranger Thingscast have been lucky enough to join even more franchises outside the sci-fi series, and one of those actors is Finn Wolfhard. The franchise that may be one of his best isIt.Based on the iconic novel by Stephen King,It: Chapter OneandIt: Chapter Twotake place in the fictional town of Derry, where a sadistic clown terrorizes childrenevery 27 years. In the movies, Wolfhard plays Richie, a young man who fights back against the clown, alongside his friends, Bill, Stanley, Eddie, Ben, Beverly, and Mike.
In many ways, Wolfhard brings the same charismatic energy toItthat he does toStranger Things.
Among the more recent King adaptations, theItmovies are some of the most visceral. Pennywise is absolutely terrifying, and the world which the movies build is haunting from start to finish. Aside from the scares though,theItmovies also stand out because of their incredible performances. Wolfhard, alongside his other young cast mates, bring such intensity to their roles. They are hilarious, relatable, and so easy to root for. In many ways, Wolfhard brings the same charismatic energy toItthat he does toStranger Things.
Fargo
Fargo is a Black Comedy Crime Drama television series that is based on the film of the same name, which was originally created by the Coen Brothers. The TV adaptation was developed by Noah Hawley and follows an anthology format for each of its seasons, taking place in a different time period or location within the “Fargo” universe. So far, the series has seen big-name stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor, Chris Rock, and Kirsten Dunst.
Finally, one TV show thatStranger Thingslovers should look into isFargo.The series, based on the 1996 movie of the same name, is an anthology black comedy crime show. Every season centers on a new character who finds themselves in a troubling situation in or around Fargo, Minnesota. In the most recent season,Fargoseason 5,Keery is part of the ensemble cast as a deputy who is eager to prove his worthin the midst of an investigation into a seemingly regular housewife.
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While Joe Keery is best known for playing Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things, he’s also a musician and was a member of a band.
Though theStranger Thingscast have been a part of countless solid projects,Fargomay be one of the very best. Over the course of five seasons, the series has managed to impress audiences just about every time. With such talented casts and unique stories,Fargosuccessfully blends horror and crime with the distinctly well-mannered normalcy of Fargo, Minnesota. All in all, Keery gives a wonderful performance as Gator that should be appreciated just as much as hisStranger Thingspart.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a Netflix series set in the 1980s, where the mysterious disappearance of a young boy leads a small town to uncover secret experiments and supernatural forces. A significant focus is on a peculiar girl who may hold the key to the unfolding mystery.
