Stranger Things captivated audiences worldwide when it debuted on Netflix in 2016. The science fiction horror series quickly became the streaming service’s most popular offering. After nearly a decade, the saga is set to conclude with the highly anticipated Season 5, Volume 1. It premieres on November 26 at 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST.
With the finale approaching, now is the ideal time to revisit pivotal moments. These selected episodes offer essential context and highlight key character transformations leading into the final season. Seasons 1 through 4 are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
This first-season entry serves as a crucial personal turning point for several characters. It marks the significant evolution of Steve Harrington, portrayed by Joe Keery. Once a typical high school jock, Steve begins his journey to becoming a fan favorite after a fight with Jonathan Byers, played by Charlie Heaton. His perspective shifts dramatically following the confrontation, which was sparked by a misunderstanding involving Nancy Wheeler, played by Natalia Dyer.
The episode also provides critical revelations about Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown. Sheriff Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour, and Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, uncover the truth about Eleven’s mother and the origins of her extraordinary powers. Eleven also delivers a heroic moment, saving Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard, from bullies.
Season finales in Stranger Things consistently deliver cinematic spectacle, and "The Gate" is no exception. This episode dramatically escalates the threat of the Mind Flayer. It uses Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, as a direct conduit to our world. Eleven, having honed her abilities, showcases her enhanced power control by heroically closing the portal to the Upside Down.
A lighter moment sees a fun camaraderie emerge among the young friends at the school dance epilogue. Yet, a chilling image of the Mind Flayer observing them from the Upside Down foreshadows future danger. While Vecna emerged as a primary antagonist in Season 4, this episode established the Mind Flayer’s enduring menace. Its return for the final season now seems inevitable.
The Mind Flayer intensified its presence in Season 3, notably through its possession of Billy Hargrove, played by Dacre Montgomery. Billy was the troubled stepbrother of Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink. By this season’s conclusion, the Mind Flayer appeared on the verge of victory. Eleven lost her powers, and the entity found a way into the human world.
Amidst the horror, the episode offered a hilariously memorable musical interlude. Dustin Henderson, played by Gaten Matarazzo, and his long-distance girlfriend Suzie Bingham, played by Gabriella Pizzolo, perform a duet of The NeverEnding Story theme song. This moment of levity is balanced by the episode’s somber ending. It includes Billy’s death and the apparent disappearance of Hopper. Had Hopper truly perished, it would have been an epic farewell.
This episode propelled Max, played by Sadie Sink, from an ensemble member to the heart and soul of the series. Tormented by visions from Vecna, Max prepares for her perceived demise by writing heartfelt letters to her loved ones. One letter is addressed to her late stepbrother, Billy. When Vecna attempts to claim her life, Max’s friends save her by playing Kate Bush’s "Running Up That Hill."
This powerful sequence instantly went viral and propelled the 1985 song back onto global charts decades after its original release. Beyond Max’s ordeal, other scenes offer potential groundwork for the finale. Robert Englund, known for his Freddy Krueger roles, plays Victor Creel. Creel is a tormented man who recounts his family’s deaths decades earlier, a narrative deeply connected to Vecna that likely holds key information for Season 5.
Viewers seeking a happy resolution were left wanting by the fourth season finale, "The Piggyback." Eleven once again confronts Vecna but arrives too late to prevent him from fatally wounding Max. Max’s fate following Eleven’s attempt to revive her remains uncertain heading into Season 5. A larger catastrophe looms as the Upside Down has erupted into Hawkins. Repairing this breach might exceed Eleven’s capabilities.
The episode also features Eddie Munson, played by Joseph Quinn, making a heroic sacrifice. He performs an improvised heavy metal concert in the Upside Down to distract deadly creatures. Joseph Quinn has since continued his career in film, appearing in projects such as A Quiet Place: Day One and Fantastic Four: First Steps. Dustin remains deeply affected by Eddie’s death, a grief that will undoubtedly resonate into Season 5.