From Hawkins to the Dojo: Stranger Things Star Lives Martial Arts and Can’t Get Enough of Ip Man
Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin is a full-on martial arts buff, telling Square Mile he grew up on Kung Fu Panda and the Ip Man trilogy, captivated by Wing Chun’s history and those razor-sharp fight scenes.
If you have scrolled through Caleb McLaughlin's Instagram lately, you have probably noticed: the guy moves. And not just in a 'did his own stunt once' way. While Stranger Things heads toward the endgame, the 24-year-old who plays Lucas is quietly building out a very athletic lane for himself.
Martial arts kid, grown-up mindset
Talking to Square Mile, McLaughlin lit up about the stuff he grew up on: he was big on Kung Fu Panda and got deep into the Ip Man movies. He is not just a casual fan either. He digs the fight design and the history, and he treats martial arts like more than a hobby — more like a philosophy. In his words, the real ones do not go looking for fights.
Asked about those training clips he posts, he kept it simple:
'Life. I have always been into acrobatics and athleticism. I love body movement. I train for myself but also for the future.'
That checks out when you hear his training mix: he name-drops Shodokan, plus time in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing. He says he is still learning and spends a lot of time meditating — to the point he once thought he might become a monk. He also talks about growing up spiritual and staying grounded while navigating adolescence as a public figure. Translation: he is been famous since he was a kid and somehow came out of it with perspective.
He wants roles that move
McLaughlin is eyeing parts that tap into the athleticism. Superheroes, specifically. He would love to suit up as Miles Morales or Static Shock (yes, the DC one). He also has a soft spot for Peter Parker; Spider-Man was the first hero he fell for as a little kid. None of that sounds like a stretch if you have seen him flip, jump, and spar on social.
Next up on his calendar: GOAT, an animated film at Sony with Stephen Curry producing. Given his Ip Man obsession and the way he trains, do not be shocked if either the MCU or DCU comes calling sooner rather than later.
Why the Ip Man films stick
Donnie Yen's Ip Man series did not just look cool — it raised the bar for screen fighting. According to UMF Academy, those movies also helped put Wing Chun Kung Fu on the global map, showing off the style's efficiency and elegance. If you want a quick snapshot of the main run, here you go:
- Ip Man (2008) — Director: Wilson Yip; Fight choreo: Sammo Hung; Standouts: Ip Man vs. 10 black belts, and the showdown with General Miura.
- Ip Man 2 (2010) — Director: Wilson Yip; Fight choreo: Sammo Hung; Standouts: the duel with Master Hung and the fight against Wallace.
- Ip Man 3 (2015) — Director: Wilson Yip; Fight choreo: Donnie Yen; Standouts: the bout with Frank and the rooftop brawl.
- Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019) — Director: Wilson Yip; Fight choreo: Donnie Yen; Standouts: the battle with Barton Geddes and a multi-opponent clinic.
The movies are inspired by the real Ip Man — the Wing Chun master who trained Bruce Lee — and they broke out far beyond Hong Kong, connecting audiences in both East and West. No wonder they grabbed McLaughlin early.
Where to watch
Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix in the U.S. Ip Man is streaming on Prime Video in the U.S.
Would you buy Caleb McLaughlin as a screen martial artist — or better yet, a superhero? I can see it.