The Hidden Easter Egg in the Stranger Things Finale: A Nod to Its Origins
January 2, 2026
A pivotal moment in the latest Stranger Things season finale hints at a hopeful future for two beloved characters while simultaneously unveiling a secret Easter egg that connects back to the show's origins. Crafted by twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things emerged over a decade ago as a nostalgic sci-fi series pitched to Netflix, which ultimately took a chance on their creative vision.
A Decade of Success
Since its debut, the show has become a cultural phenomenon, breaking viewership records on Netflix and catapulting its young cast into international stardom. Despite the massive popularity, the Duffer brothers remain connected to their roots, embedding subtle references to their initial concepts throughout the series.
The ‘Montauk’ Connection: An Inside Look
More than ten years prior, inspired by the conspiracy theory surrounding the ‘Montauk Project,’ the Duffer brothers originally developed a found footage movie titled The Montauk Experiment. Although this project didn’t materialize, it laid the groundwork for their subsequent work, leading to the creation of an episode called Montauk — which eventually evolved into Stranger Things.
This backstory is significant for fans who are aware of the show's developmental history. A discreet yet meaningful moment in the finale features Hopper telling Joyce he’s been offered a new job in a town that just happens to be Montauk.
“We did the Montauk shout-out because the show was originally going to be set in Montauk,” Ross Duffer explained to Netflix. “It felt like a nice little wink to the superfans of the show who were aware of that nugget.”
Clarifying the Future
Despite the subtle reference, fans shouldn’t expect a spin-off set in Montauk. Ross Duffer emphasized to Deadline that:
“There’s no Montauk spinoff. That was more of a wink to the fans; deep-cut fans that know that the show started as Montauk.”
For more updates on the Upside Down and the futures of the series’ characters, check out what the young cast is working on next, as well as rankings of the best Stranger Things characters and episodes.