Netflix original series and Spielbergian '80s throwback "Stranger Things" was the big television hit of summer 2016. Watching the inhabitants of a small town fighting against the strange forces menacing their town delighted viewers.

However, you may not know these interesting facts behind the production of "Stranger Things":

• Before filming, the kid actors were asked to watch "Goonies," "Stand By Me" and "Poltergeist."

• Show creators Matt and Ross Duffer also work on the Fox series "Wayward Pines."

• The cast of unknown child actors playing the main characters were chosen from 906 boys and 307 girls.

• They weren't all total unknowns, though. Millie Brown, aka "Eleven," received a shoutout from Stephen King for her acting in "Intruders."

• Brown was told by the directors to model her performance after E.T.

• Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin, has Cleidocranial Dysplasia. The rare condition stops his two front teeth from growing.

• Matarazzo's voice changed so dramatically after filming that producers weren't able to use his voice in post production.

• Caleb McClaughlin came up with the idea for his character Lucas to wear a camo bandana in the final three episodes.

• Joe Keery was so likeable as Steve that producers rewrote the end of the relationship between him and Nancy.

• The Duffer brothers have a 30-page document explaining "The Upside Down" and the monster.

• The "Stranger Things" kids had a text group chat before shooting even began to get to know each other.

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Pinky Cole's Ponce City Market location in Atlanta, Georgia, 'Bar Vegan', during lunch time on April 5, 2024. (Jamie Spaar for the Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: Jamie Spaar