I grew up in the 80s as well and it was like stepping back into my childhood at times. I remember that feeling the first time I went to a big mall. Just like, wow. The music and the hair and the outfits. Man, it brings it all back.
For me, the show is a mashup of The Goonies, Stand By Me, and Gremlins. Three movies I absolutely love.
And "It". Season 1 especially reminded me of the "It" miniseries from 1990. I grew up on those TV miniseries and made for TV movies that the major networks use to do all the time.