The Strange Connection Between 'Stranger Things' and Stephen King's 'It'

“A group of ragtag kids battling the forces of an unknown evil.” It’s either a description for the critically acclaimed Netflix Series “Stranger Things,” or Stephen King’s best-selling novel “It.” Both stories, however, are a coming-of-age tale about friendship and defeating a supernatural evil lurking their small town. The Duffer Brothers have openly said how much of Stephen King’s works have inspired their show. Especially “Stand By Me” and “IT.” But fans have noticed more than one connection to their homage to Stephen King.
As most fans eagerly and agonizingly wait for season 3 of “Stranger Things,” some are using the wait to stir up more fan theories. One including the connection of “IT,” but they are not looking at the 2017 version but the original source material. Fans have ruled in the possibility, Bob Newby is part of the “It,” universe.

Bob Newby Is An ‘It’ Survivor

The character of Bob was inspired by the Duffer Brother’s own feelings about clowns which were shaped by Stephen King’s Pennywise, though it may seem like a coincidence Bob is scared of clowns. Because who isn’t afraid of clowns even if they’re not out eating children? Fans who pay too much attention to details also pointed out Bob grew up in Maine. This detail is important because most of King’s novels are based in Maine. This information alone leads many fans to theorize he was one of the kids Pennywise captured.
Bob opened up about his childhood to Will in hopes he can help him with his nightmares. He tells Will when he was a kid he was haunted by an evil clown. It’s getting quite familiar starting from there. Then he mentions he was able to overcome his fear by telling this evil clown he was not afraid of it. Again this could all be coincidence but if you do the math, Bob would’ve been a kid in Maine at around the 1950’s, which is when the events of “IT” took place.
It’s a convincing theory since it does take a few plotlines from “IT.” If it is true, then Bob’s death is a whole lot more heartbreaking.

‘Stranger Things’ Stephen King Easter Eggs

In an interview with Vulture, the Duffer Brother said that Stephen King exists in the “Stranger Things” universe. They even leave a few Easter eggs pertaining to a few of Stephen King’s works. They’ve made allusions to “Stand By Me” when the kids are walking on a set of abandoned train tracks. This mirrors the infamous scene in the coming age of film based on King’s short story “The Body.”
The Duffer Brothers have also taken a few cues in the cinematography of Stanely Kubrick’s “The Shining.” The overhead shot of a car driving through the mountainside has been seen in Season 2. They have also made other allusions to “Carrie,” and “The Mist,” to name a few. Fun fact, the actor playing Bob Newby is Sean Astin from the 80’s classic “Goonies.” Perhaps there’s a connection between “Stranger Things” and “The Goonies” too if any fan would dig deep enough.