What links “Stranger Things” to Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” where Hugh Jackman plays a desperate father seeking justice for his missing daughter? According to the Duffers in an interview with Rolling Stone, the idea for “Stranger Things” sparked when they watched “Prisoners.” They envisioned it could be even more compelling as a streaming miniseries. The film’s focus on a missing child became a creative catalyst for their next venture following “Wayward Pines.”

Although Matt and Ross Duffer appreciated “Prisoners,” they felt it could delve deeper. This realization led to a brainstorming session, with Ross telling Rolling Stone, “It was great seeing those characters in that tone on the big screen, but we thought it needed more.”

Interestingly, the Duffers are not alone in using “Prisoners” as a springboard into the sci-fi realm. The film marked a significant breakthrough for director Denis Villeneuve. Following two more thrillers, “Enemy” (2013) and “Sicario” (2015), he devoted himself to crafting some of the finest sci-fi films, beginning with “Arrival” in 2016 and continuing with “Blade Runner 2049” and the “Dune” series.

That initial kernel would go on to blend with the various sci-fi and horror elements that defined “Stranger Things.” Discussing how that combination came about, Ross continued, “it was taking that idea of a missing child and combining it with the more childlike sensibilities that we have. You know, can we put a monster in there that eats people? Because we are nerds and children-at-heart, we thought it was the best thing ever.”

Interestingly, the Duffers aren’t the only ones who used “Prisoners” as the launching pad for a future in sci-fi. The film gave director Denis Villeneuve his first major hit, and after making two more thrillers (2013’s “Enemy” and 2015’s “Sicario”), he has solely directed some of the best sci-fi movies of all time, starting with 2016’s “Arrival” and going on to helm “Blade Runner 2049” and the “Dune” trilogy.