Behind the Scenes of the New “Stranger Things” Season: Laughter, Surprises, and Spoilers

As the cast of Stranger Things gears up for the premiere of the highly anticipated new season, fans are eager to get a glimpse into what’s next for their favorite characters in Hawkins, Indiana. Recently, the cast of the show joined Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show to discuss everything from hilarious moments on set to hints at what’s to come in the new season. While they did their best to keep things spoiler-free, the conversation revealed some intriguing tidbits about what’s in store for the characters and their bond as a group. Here’s a deeper dive into the fun and chaos that has taken over the Stranger Things set.

The Haunted Mall and the Wild Filming Environment

One of the most exciting things about the new season is the setting — a mall. According to the cast, much of the new season was shot in an actual, functioning mall, and as you might expect, this came with its own set of challenges and funny moments. Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) and Sadie Sink (Max) revealed that while the mall was still operational during filming, it had a slightly eerie vibe to it.

“It was a real mall, actually,” Sadie explained. “It was, like, this mall…” Caleb continued, adding, “It was a little haunted. Every time we’d be in there, we’d look at each other and be like, ‘Something’s wrong with this mall.’” Despite the occasional spooky feeling, the mall was an essential backdrop to the story, and fans will be thrilled to see it come to life on screen.

But it wasn’t just the mall’s haunted atmosphere that made things interesting. The set had a certain liveliness thanks to the mall’s patrons, who were still going about their shopping as if nothing unusual was happening around them. “We were filming, and people were shopping. They were just looking in through the windows, serious spoilers happening,” Caleb joked. “Don’t tweet this! Don’t tweet this!”

It was the sort of chaos that only a Stranger Things set could pull off — filming alongside regular shoppers, trying to keep the biggest plot twists under wraps.

Escalators, Sliding, and the Chaos That Ensues

One of the most memorable stories from the Stranger Things set involved the escalators — or rather, sliding down the escalators. The cast shared an inside joke about how they had turned the escalators into a giant slide. The idea was originally Caleb’s, and though the production team wasn’t exactly thrilled with the idea, it became a running joke on set.

“It was a great idea, bad idea, good idea, whatever,” Caleb said, laughing. “They put cones in front of it, but then we moved the cones.” The cast admitted that the escalator sliding quickly became an obsession for them. While the production team warned them to stop, the cast kept sneaking in a few slides whenever they could.

“We kept doing it. They told us to stop, so we stopped for a couple of weeks, and then we started doing it again,” Caleb confessed, as Sadie and Finn Wolfhard (Mike) nodded in agreement. In fact, Finn took the rebellious act even further, continuing the escalator rides long after the warning. “I moved the cones,” Caleb added, making it clear that the cast was always looking for ways to entertain themselves in the midst of their busy schedules.

The Invention of ‘Chicken Noodle Soup’

The cast’s bond is undeniable, and one of the funniest moments of the interview was when Caleb shared how he invented a song called “Chicken Noodle Soup” to annoy his co-stars. The song quickly became a signature bit on set, and it was clear from the laughter that followed that it had worked exactly as intended.

“It was a song to annoy Gaten and Sadie,” Caleb said with a grin. The rest of the cast quickly joined in on the joke, singing the tune together. The infectious melody and the cast’s genuine fun during the performance had the entire audience in stitches. The chorus goes something like this:

“Chicken noodle soup,
I feel good when you’re around,
Chicken noodle soup,
When I’m down.”

“That’s on key, Roots,” Caleb said, referring to The Tonight Show’s house band, The Roots, who helped the cast perform the song. While it was clear that the song was meant to be annoying, it quickly became something the cast couldn’t resist joining in on.

“Do you want to hear it?” Caleb asked the audience. And without missing a beat, they all belted out the chorus, creating one of the most hilarious moments of the interview.

“That’s just a beautiful, beautiful song,” Jimmy Fallon remarked, unable to hold back his laughter.

The Cast’s Growing Bond: A Family on and off Screen

While the fun and antics are evident, there’s no denying the deep bond that has formed between the Stranger Things cast over the years. From their first season to now, the show has brought them together in more ways than one. Finn reflected on this by saying, “I feel like I fit in okay,” with Caleb quickly chiming in, “You definitely are [part of the family].”

It’s clear that their relationship goes beyond just being co-stars. The interview had a relaxed, family-like vibe, with everyone sharing jokes and teasing each other. They’re not just a group of talented actors; they’ve grown to be friends and confidants who genuinely enjoy working together. And when the cameras aren’t rolling, it’s clear that the fun never stops, with endless bits, inside jokes, and impromptu performances happening in the downtime.

What to Expect from the New Season: One Word Descriptions

As they neared the end of the interview, Jimmy asked the cast to sum up the new season in just one word. The answers were as varied as the characters themselves, offering a glimpse into the different tones and themes that the new season will explore.

Finn’s answer was “Classic,” which hints at a return to the series’ roots, while Caleb’s pick of “gory” suggests that the darker, more intense elements of the show will be front and center. Sadie’s answer, “fun,” was a stark contrast, indicating that the new season will balance the more intense moments with lighter, funnier scenes. But it was Finn’s mysterious answer of “spreading” that really had everyone guessing. He assured everyone that it would make sense once the season aired.

Finally, when Jimmy asked Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) for her one-word description, she didn’t hold back. “Sad,” she said simply, which immediately piqued the interest of fans wondering what kind of emotional rollercoaster awaits them in the new episodes.

Final Thoughts: A Season of Surprises and Brotherhood

The new season of Stranger Things promises to be everything fans love about the show — thrilling, mysterious, and full of heart. But what makes this show truly special is the bond the cast shares, both on and off-screen. Their genuine friendship, humor, and enthusiasm shine through, making every moment spent with them just as enjoyable as the episodes themselves.

Whether you’re looking forward to the horror, the fun, or the heartfelt moments, this season is bound to deliver surprises at every turn. And as the cast prepares for the premiere, it’s clear that Stranger Things isn’t just a show — it’s a family.