What do the Stranger Things Cast play behind the Scenes?

Everyone who has seen Stranger things knows that the series centres around Mike, Will, Lucas and Dustin's love of Dungeons and Dragons. From naming the evils of the Upside Down to playing the game in the Wheelers basement, the party’s friendship bond is formed amidst memories, critical hits and D20 rolls.

We explored the importance of Dungeons and Dragons in Stranger Things in our recent post; Welcome to the Hellfire Club, and explored how the supernatural thriller has bought D&D back into the pop culture spotlight. From the very first season, when (a very young!) Mike, Lucas, Will, and Dustin formed 'The Party' to face off against the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer, through to the fifth and final season, D&D has proved central to the events happening in Hawkins. In the Stranger Things universe, D&D is more than a game, it mirrors and names the terrifying evils and challenges faced within the Upside Down.

It seems like that magic of Tabletop gaming didn’t finish when the cameras stopped rolling. In a recent interview with Absolute Radio, cast members Charlie Heaton (Jonathan,) Natalie Dyer (Nancy,) Joe Keery (Steve,) and Maya Hawke (Robin) revealed how they use board games to wind down between takes. So, with the epic season finale “The Rightside Up” due to premiere on New Years Eve, let’s take a look at some of the casts favourite games (and hope they all survive!)

Catan

After a long day fighting Vecna and the upside down, the cast continued negotiations as they traded sheep for wool in one of our most popular boardgames; Catan. Catan is considered by many board gamers to be one of the best ‘gateway’ games into the hobby. It is a game of resource management where players have to build settlements and trade on the small island of Catan.

We covered some of the benefits of playing Catan in our recent post on Board Games and Mental Health, including how it is brilliant for boosting cognitive function and social confidence. With its requirement for sharp critical thinking and constant interaction, it’s the perfect training ground for a group of teens used to outsmarting inter-dimensional threats. Interestingly, it is rumoured that Netflix has acquired the rights for a Catan adaption, so 2026 could be the perfect time to master your trading skills.

Pandemic

Long before the Fate of the Fellowship, there was Pandemic; the high stakes, cooperative game with no single winner. Where players must work together to save humanity or watch the world succumb to deadly viruses.

In Pandemic, players take on roles such as the Scientist, Medic or Researcher and then use their unique abilities to treat outbreaks and discover cures. It seems that the Stranger Things team enjoy games of tension and strategy, so it comes as no surprise that they enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes with Pandemic.

Much like the threats facing Hawkins, the world of Pandemic is ever-evolving. As well as the classic expansions such as On the Brink and Rapid Response, the Pandemic Legacy series offers a truly immersive experience. It plays out over a twelve-month campaign where the game board changes according to your successes and failures. With new rules and abilities unlocking as you progress, it’s the perfect choice for a 'party' looking for a long-term strategy challenge.

Nemesis

Charlie Heaton described Nemesis as a “great game, a long game” and the kind of heavy tabletop experience that the cast liked to play between filming breaks. Nemesis is a 1-5 player survival horror inspired by sci-fi classics such as Alien. Many consider it to be a masterpiece of a game and we have to say we agree. The game is suitable for between 1-5 players and we think is a great choice for fans of the Stranger Things franchise as it captures that “is there something hiding in the walls” dread perfectly.

The terror doesn't end with the first game. You can broaden your sci-fi horror experience with Nemesis: Lockdown, which is set on Mars And for those who want to explore the narrative further, the Aftermath expansion acts as an epilogue to Aftermath, and shifts the focus toward character-driven drama, providing a unique 'what happens next' scenario with entirely different specialists.

Blood on the Clocktower

Blood on the Clocktower seems to be a cast favourite for lots of the Stranger Things actors, as we heard it mentioned in both the Absolute Radio interview and an interview for Cosmopolitan. We can see why; Blood on the Clocktower is not your average game. It is a sophisticated social deduction experience for between 5 to 20 players. (And happens to be just as popular at our Tabletop Gaming Store in Folkestone, Kent)

Blood on the Clocktower is set in the village of Ravenswood Bluff, where the game begins with a scream during a thunderstorm. Someone is the Demon, and the rest of the players must use their unique roles and powers to work out who the killer is before the evil team outnumbers the good. The game really captures the essence of a small town under siege - much like Hawkins and the Upside Down. A "Storyteller" guides the action, and it really feels like an immersive piece of theatre; no wonder the cast of talented actors in Stranger Things loves it.

Making Board Games Cool

At Chaos Cards, we love the fact that the Stranger Things cast are actively championing tabletop gaming. Their eclectic taste highlights a genuine love for deep narratives and cooperative challenges. Whether it’s the strategic resource management of Catan or the spine-tingling cinematic horror of Nemesis, we couldn’t agree more with their top picks. It’s clear that even off-camera, these guys know exactly what makes a great games night.

From fighting the Upside Down on screen to working cooperatively to resolve pandemics, one thing is clear, the party that plays together, stays together. Head over to Chaos Cards now to start your own adventure.

What games would you recommend to the Stranger Things cast? Have you played Nemesis or Catan? Let us know over on our socials.