You Have To See These Pictures That (Probably) Inspired "Stranger Things 3"

The creators of the show grew up close to where all of these pictures were taken.

Last week, we posted some of Michael Galinsky's photography from 1989 of malls around America.

Michael Galinsky

When he was 19, Michael traveled the country with a friend taking pictures of malls.

Michael currently has a Kickstarter for a new book of totally unreleased mall pictures, called The Decline of Mall Civilization.

Michael Galinsky

After we posted the pictures, Michael started getting messages from people noticing just how similar some of his pictures were to the mall scenes in Stranger Things 3.

Netflix/Michael Galinsky

In Michael's words, "They really did their research."

Michael Galinsky

Here's where it gets interesting...

Michael Galinsky

Apparently, the creator of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, grew up in Durham, North Carolina, which is close to three of the malls Michael photographed in the '80s.

Charley Gallay / Getty Images

Michael said:

"Most of these images (below) are from South Square, Northgate, and University Mall. I have gotten a lot of emails and comments on the Kickstarter about the fact that the mall is super similar. It's interesting to me that of the 15–20 malls I shot, three of them are local (to the creators) and the ones that they likely went to as kids."

Michael Galinsky

So, for example, this is from Stranger Things 3:

Netflix

And this is Michael's photo from Northgate Mall in North Carolina, where the creators grew up:

Michael Galinsky

Michael sent me a bunch of his pictures from these three North Carolina malls, and the Stranger Things 3 accuracy is on point.

Michael Galinsky

Very '80s and very accurate.

Michael Galinsky

This is from Stranger Things 3:

Netflix

And this is Michael's photography from a mall about two miles from where the Duffer brothers went to school:

Michael Galinsky

Stranger Things 3:

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Michael's photography:

Michael Galinsky

Stranger Things 3:

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Michael's photography:

Michael Galinsky

Stranger Things 3:

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Michael's photography:

Michael Galinsky

Stranger Things 3:

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Michael's photography:

Michael Galinsky

Stranger Things 3:

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Michael's photography:

Michael Galinsky

So yeah, this isn't calling them out or anything, this is congratulating the Duffer brothers/the set designers on really nailing it*.

Michael Galinsky

*I realize that they filmed at a real dead mall, Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, Georgia.

And if you haven't already, check out Michael's new book Kickstarter here!

Michael Galinsky