What is the story behind Stranger Things' distinctive retro title font?

The answer

The Stranger Things title sequence uses a modified version of ITC Benguiat, a typeface designed by Ed Benguiat in 1977 for the International Typeface Corporation. The font was ubiquitous in 1980s horror and thriller publishing - it appeared on Stephen King novel covers, Choose Your Own Adventure books, and the logo for the TV series Tales from the Darkside. Show creators Matt and Ross Duffer specifically chose it to evoke that era's aesthetic. Title designer Michelle Dougherty of Imaginary Forces animated the letters assembling themselves in glowing red against black, requiring over 100 iterations to perfect the timing. The sequence sparked a massive revival of ITC Benguiat; font downloads surged 800% after the show premiered on July 15, 2016. Ed Benguiat, who was 89 at the time, expressed delight at the renewed interest in his decades-old design.