Across five seasons and 40+ episodes, Stranger Things has delivered supernatural horror, coming-of-age drama, and some of the most memorable television moments of the past decade. But which episodes stand above the rest?
This ranking considers everything: storytelling craft, emotional impact, memorable moments, and rewatchability. Agree or disagree, these are the episodes that define Stranger Things.
Honorable Mentions (Episodes 25-21)
#25: "The Pollywog" (S2E3) Dustin discovers D'Artagnan, Will's visions intensify, and the seeds of Season 2's conflict are planted. A perfect setup episode.
#24: "The Weirdo on Maple Street" (S1E2) The boys hide Eleven, we learn about her powers, and "mouth-breather" enters the lexicon. The episode where Stranger Things found its voice.
#23: "Holly Jolly" (S1E3) Joyce starts communicating with Will through Christmas lights. Pure supernatural horror blended with mother's love.
#22: "The Dive" (S4E6) The underwater gate exploration combines claustrophobic horror with action. Eddie shines as Steve nearly dies.
#21: "Dig Dug" (S2E5) Hopper trapped in the tunnels while the Party pieces together the truth. Masterful parallel editing and tension.
Great Episodes (20-11)
#20: "The Flea and the Acrobat" (S1E5) Mr. Clarke explains alternate dimensions. The perfect blend of Stranger Things' sci-fi concepts with its grounded character work.
#19: "The Mind Flayer" (S2E8) Bob Newby's last stand. One of the show's most gut-wrenching deaths, perfectly executed.
#18: "E Pluribus Unum" (S3E6) The interrogation of Steve and Robin. Their chemistry crackles as the stakes escalate.
#17: "The Spy" (S2E6) Will as the Mind Flayer's unwitting agent. Noah Schnapp's best performance of Season 2.
#16: "Papa" (S4E8) Eleven's full history revealed. The massacre, the truth about 001, everything changes.
#15: "The Battle of Starcourt" (S3E8) Season 3's finale. Billy's redemption, Hopper's "death," and one of the show's biggest emotional punches.
#14: "The Sauna Test" (S3E4) Billy confronted. The sauna sequence is tense, horrific, and beautifully shot.
#13: "The Body" (S1E4) Will's "body" is found. Joyce knows it's not real. The episode that proved the show could handle genuine tragedy.
#12: "The Monster" (S1E6) Eleven versus the Demogorgon. The pool scene. The van flip. This is where Stranger Things became must-see TV.
#11: "The Lost Sister" (S2E7) The controversial bottle episode. We appreciate its ambition in expanding the world, even if it divides fans.
The Best Episodes (10-1)
#10: "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" (S1E1) The pilot that launched a phenomenon. Perfectly paced, beautifully shot, instantly iconic.
#9: "The Bathtub" (S1E7) The sensory deprivation tank. Eleven contacts Will. The scope expands as the Party's plan comes together.
#8: "Vecna's Curse" (S4E1) The Season 4 premiere that redefined the show's horror. Chrissy's death sequence is genuinely terrifying.
#7: "The Gate" (S2E9) Season 2's finale. Eleven closes the gate. The Snow Ball. "Every Breath You Take." Perfect.
#6: "Dear Billy" (S4E4) Max faces Vecna. "Running Up That Hill" becomes the song of 2022. One of the most emotionally intense episodes ever.
#5: "The Massacre at Hawkins Lab" (S4E7) The truth about Henry Creel. The 001 reveal. Everything you thought you knew, recontextualized.
#4: "The Piggyback" (S4E9) The epic Season 4 finale. Eddie's sacrifice. Max's fate. Nearly 2.5 hours of relentless tension.
#3: "The Upside Down" (S1E8) The Season 1 finale. Eleven's sacrifice. The boys' grief. Joyce and Hopper finding Will. Perfection.
#2: [FINALE EPISODE - S5] (Placeholder) The series finale. We won't spoil it, but it earns its spot here.
#1: "The Monster and the Superhero" (S4E5) The episode that has everything. Henry's full backstory. Eleven's memory recovery. The one-two punch of tragedy and revelation. This is Stranger Things at its absolute best.
How We Ranked These
Our ranking considered multiple factors:
Story Impact: Does the episode advance the plot meaningfully? Character Development: Do characters grow or reveal new depths? Memorable Moments: Does it contain scenes that stick with you? Rewatchability: Is it still great on repeat viewings? Technical Craft: Direction, cinematography, music, effects. Emotional Resonance: Does it make you feel something?
Every Stranger Things episode has merit, but these 25 represent the show at its finest. Agree with our ranking? Think we got it wrong? That's the fun of these lists—everyone's Hawkins experience is personal.
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