Stranger Things faced up to 20 rejections before Netflix deal

The Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’ faced significant rejection during its development phase. According to estimates provided by creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the project was turned down by approximately 15 to 20 television networks before being accepted by Netflix.

Industry executives reportedly struggled with the show's premise, specifically the decision to feature child protagonists in a series that was not intended for a children's audience. Some suggestions were made to alter the core elements that eventually defined the show's identity, such as the setting of Hawkins and the concept of the ‘Upside Down’.