Stranger Things Accused of Copying Plot from The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Fans claim the hit Netflix series has striking similarities to the Marvel film.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A recent social media post has sparked speculation that the hit Netflix series Stranger Things may have secretly copied its main plot from the 2014 Marvel film The Amazing Spider-Man 2. While there is no concrete proof of direct inspiration, the show is known to draw from real-life secret government programs like MKUltra and the Montauk Project, which have narrative parallels to both Stranger Things and the Spider-Man film.

Why it matters

The potential connection between Stranger Things and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has reignited discussions around the creative process in the sci-fi genre, where ideas and themes often build upon each other across different works. This raises questions about originality, inspiration, and the blurred lines between homage and plagiarism in popular entertainment.

The details

A social media user pointed out several similarities between the plots of Stranger Things and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, including themes of blood transfers, government deception, and DNA alteration. While the Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have not acknowledged any direct inspiration from the Marvel film, the Netflix series is known to draw from real-life secret government programs like MKUltra and the Montauk Project, which share narrative elements with both Stranger Things and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

  • Stranger Things has been running for a decade on Netflix.
  • The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was released in 2014.

The players

The Duffer Brothers

The creators of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

A 2014 Marvel film featuring Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man.

MKUltra Project

A secret US government program from 1953 to 1973 that allegedly conducted illegal experiments on human behavior and mind control.

Montauk Project

A conspiracy theory about a secret US government program that allegedly experimented with psychological warfare, mind control, and other sci-fi ideas.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around originality and inspiration in the sci-fi genre, where ideas and themes often build upon each other across different works. While the potential connection between Stranger Things and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 remains speculative, it raises important questions about the creative process and the blurred lines between homage and plagiarism in popular entertainment.