Stranger Things: The First Shadow Show Poster

Stranger Things: The First Shadow Reviews

The Olivier Award-winning prequel to the hit Netflix series arrives on Broadway.

4.7
Tickets starting at $64.83
Show Overview

critics reviews Critics’ Reviews (2)

A collection of our favorite reviews from professional news sources.

"A reminder of what theatre, at its most magical, can do."

Daily Mail

Luke Jones

"Breathtaking theatre. It's irresistible."

The Guardian

Arifa Akbar

customer reviews

Customer Reviews (385)

4.7
Score average from verified show reviews by customers who’ve bought tickets from Broadway.com.
5 stars
82%
4 stars
14%
3 stars
2%
2 stars
1%
1 star
1%
Showing 3 star reviews. View all reviews
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It was good not as expected
"The beginning was great. The end was great. The Middle dragged on about a play within the high school, which just had no bearing on the actual play title or the series and was irrelevant. that part actually made me fall asleep."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 25, 2025
Fun
"Loved the special effects they were great, but hated how unnecessarily loud they were to the point where you felt you needed earplugs, also the main character spoke too low and you couldn’t make out what he was saying most of the time, especially when the effects were competing with him talking."
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 16, 2025
True review
"The props and special effects were the highlight of the play. I felt that the introduction (beginning of the play) was lagging and I lost interest, it was okay but should be shorter and it would have been more pleasing. The second half was what was good and kept my interest."
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Broadway.com Customer on Aug 17, 2025
Incredible staging
"The show is an theatrical experience that is remarkable in its blend of artistry and technology.The play itself isn’t of the same calibre but it works and the performances are all strong "
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Stephen G from New York on Apr 27, 2025
The Great, the Good, and the Ugly.
"The special effects were fantastic. Lead actors carried the show. Scenes involving special effects, the upside down, and lead actors kept the show alive. There was an abundance of cursing that was not needed. I don't mind cursing when it shows emphases to a story but consistent use of GD was a turn off for me and wasn't relative to the story. It was good but could have been better with a better storyline running parallel with the main story. "
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Jeremiah M from Gallatin on Nov 24, 2025
For Fans of the TV Series
"This is a hyperactive, action-packed story with lots of laughs, noise, and amazing special effects. By amazing, I mean I’ve seen nothing like it on stage. Impressive stuff. Overall impression: this is sci-fi/fantasy with a plot that wanders; not a dialog gold mine and is best for fans the tv series. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Nov 24, 2025
This show was not for me
"I like the special effects. I did not like theme. This show was definitely not for me."
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Broadway.com Customer on Oct 20, 2025
Stranger things Newbee
"Loud, chaotic and a bit hard to follow. Too much screaming and not enough story. Great production values. "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jul 14, 2025
an insight to the past
"I knew the story from the tv series. This did a good job setting a prequel and connecting to it. The acting and stage elements were TOP NOTCH!!! "
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Broadway.com Customer on May 6, 2025

About Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Before the world turned upside down. Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy...and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.

From Netflix and the multi-award-winning Broadway producer Sonia Friedman Productions comes Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Winner of two Olivier Awards including Best Entertainment, this landmark production is brought to life by an award-winning creative team including director Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Inheritance, The Hours, The Reader) and co-director Justin Martin (Prima Facie, The Inheritance). With stunning special effects, extraordinary performances, and a storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this gripping, stand-alone adventure will take you right back to the beginnings of the Stranger Things story.

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