Although E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is referenced throughout the first season, the allusions to the film are at their most prominent in "The Weirdo on Maple Street". The Duffer Brothers (Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer) have said: "Just as E.T. is about the connection between E.T. and Elliot, The Weirdo on Maple Street is about the connection between Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard)." In the film, Elliot feigns illness to stay home from school and be with E.T. He shows E.T. his toys, including Star Wars figures. Mike does exactly the same, showing her his Yoda figurine. When alone, Eleven explores the Wheeler house, becoming mesmerized by the television; E.T. did the same in Elliot's home.
During filming of this episode, Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) showed up to set covered head to toe in glitter, halting production for 30 minutes.
Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) says Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) might be an escapee from Pennhurst State School and Hospital - "the nuthouse in Kerley County," referencing the real-life psychiatric hospital which closed in 1987.
In the scene where Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) is leaving the school after Nancy (Natalia Dyer) attempts to console him, as the school door closes behind him, a faint voice can be heard saying "Mommy" as the door squeaks shut.
When Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) visits his dad's house to see if Will (Noah Schnapp) is there, when he pulls up and gets out of the car you can see the "Terminus" building in the background of the shot, as seen inThe Walking Dead (2010) Us (2014).