Netflix has launched a new version of Stranger Things season 1, dubbed the "VHS Special Edition," to commemorate the show's 10th anniversary. This release reimagines the debut season with an '80s-inspired aesthetic, intentionally degrading the visuals to mimic the experience of watching a VHS tape.
The Stranger Things: VHS Special Edition offers a "glitchy, grainy and gloriously vintage" look, according to Netflix's official description. In addition to the visual effects, the first eight episodes are now presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio, reflecting the standard television format of the early 1980s.
This special edition arrives on the heels of the show's 10th anniversary, as Stranger Things first premiered on Netflix on July 15, 2016. The series, created by Matt and Ross Duffer, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing heavily on '80s cinema and horror influences. The show concluded with its fifth season in December 2025.
While Stranger Things has officially wrapped, the franchise continues to expand. Upcoming projects include the animated series Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which is also slated for a Netflix release. The Duffer Brothers have also indicated plans for a live-action spinoff with new characters and settings, though its development status remains uncertain given their new deal with Paramount.
Fans can also look forward to a physical media release, as Arrow Video and Netflix are preparing to launch Stranger Things: The Complete Series on 4K UHD and Blu-ray later this month. A full-series VHS release has not been announced.