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 2 star reviews. View all reviews
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Appreciate the artistry but very disturbing
"My 12-year-old daughter and I enjoy Stranger Things on Netflix. We regularly go to the theatre and see live performances. We were excited to see Stranger Things but ended up leaving at intermission. We saw several other people leaving at intermission. The special effects and acting were fantastic, but it was very disturbing, intense, and scary. The show also included mutilation of a cat that was graphic, upsetting, and hard to watch. I really appreciate and applaud the creativity, set design, special effects, and lighting, but it was not for us. If you do not enjoy horror movies, haunted houses, etc, this is probably not the show for you. "
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Allison K from Memphis on Oct 6, 2025
Stranger Things Review
"The special effects were very, very good; however the extensive cussing was very disappointing. The amount of cussing in my opinion took away from the play and left me unsatisfied with the performance and made it unfit for children. Just having a better choice of words were have made my opinion of the play very high, but based upon what I have mentioned, I would rate the play at 3.5 stars."
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David M from Jamestown on Jul 18, 2025
Stranger Things is intended for fans of Netflix show.
"The special affects were good. There was some humor and good lines. The plot lacked substance. There was overuse of saten like possessed voice that became tedious and not scary. I think those that watch the Netflix show may appreciate it more. Those in attendance seemed to like it but not my type of play. "
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Broadway.com Customer on May 4, 2025
Too much screaming not enough acting
"They took all the disturbing parts of ST and left out all the charming parts. No likable characters- and constantly shocked with overdone sound blasts and lighs. Left at intermission. Huge fan of the show though..... "
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Broadway.com Customer on Jul 30, 2025
Disjointed mess of a show…
"I love Stranger Things the show…but this play is a mess. It’s half comedy…and half terrifying horror…and it does now flow well together. There is way too much unnecessary language in this show. It is NOT for kids. I noticed a lot of people did not come back after intermission. I’ve seen over ten shows on Broadway…and this is one I wouldn’t see again. "
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Jason B from LaVale on Jun 20, 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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