In 2016, a little ’80s-set sci-fi/horror/fantasy show premiered on Netflix that would go on to become a pop culture phenomenon, with Stranger Things delivering five epic (if uneven) seasons from 2016 through 2025, when Stranger Things aired its series finale. The show not only made household names out of its young stars, from Finn Wolfhard to Millie Bobby Brown, but also its creators, the Duffer Brothers.

As Netflix’s biggest show, Stranger Things has evolved into a franchise, with a Broadway stageplay, immersive fan experiences, and an animated spinoff, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, premiering in April 2026. With more media to come, the Stranger Things machine isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and the brand is so beloved that almost any title under its umbrella is sure to be a hit. However, nothing will ever be as special as the coming-of-age journeys the characters experienced in the original show.

Indeed, Mike Wheeler and co. came a long way from when they were first introduced, innocently playing Dungeons & Dragons in 1983 Hawkins, Indiana. The disappearance of Will Byers and the arrival of a strange new girl called Eleven set off a chain reaction of events that saw Stranger Things‘ main characters defeat terrifying villains, experience love and loss, and ultimately come of age.

While all five installments of Stranger Things explore themes of friendship, heroism, and the unexplainable against a vivid ’80s backdrop, there is no doubt that some seasons are better than others. This is especially true because of how different each season is in terms of ambiance, plot, and worldbuilding. Although the scope certainly grows as Stranger Things progresses, that doesn’t necessarily mean that bigger is better.

5

Stranger Things Season 3 (2019)

Episodes 18-25

Truthfully, it is difficult to call any season of Stranger Things the worst, but Stranger Things season 3 would have to be at the bottom. The third season was released in July 2019 and imitated the heady ambiance of classic 1980s summer slasher films.

This was the first season to introduce a Soviet Russia plot, and it also introduced fan-favorite characters like Robin and Erica. Stranger Things season 3 was also bursting with pop culture references, themes, and new locations such as the Starcourt Mall. Ultimately, the season ended with Billy Hargrove becoming possessed by the Mind Flayer and wreaking havoc on Hawkins.

Although Stranger Things season 3 offered a more colorful and exciting vibe via its 1980s summer setting, the season still had some problems that made audiences and critics unhappy. Mainly, there were complaints that the season relied too heavily on its 1980s nostalgia, and furthermore, the narrative structure was not as riveting or stakes-heavy as past seasons, with the kids not being aware of the overarching threat for much of the season.

Where Stranger Things seasons 1 and 2 were slow burns, carefully crafting the Stranger Things world, season 3 was more frantic — not to mention garishly neon-saturated. Some appreciated this change of pace, while others thought it was too different from the Stranger Things they loved previously.

4

Stranger Things Season 5 (2025)

Episodes 35-42

With season 5 being the show’s last, Stranger Things had a lot of reveals to cover and questions to answer. As the popularity of the Netflix series grew across the last decade, so did Stranger Things‘ scope, and ultimately, season 5 bit off more than it could chew.

The final installment sees the Party, now bloated with members, living in a military-enforced Hawkins lockdown and preparing for the eventual return of Vecna. When Henry Creel does make his triumphant resurgence, it’s all hands on deck as everyone readily puts their lives on the line to save their town.

While Stranger Things season 5 has some great moments, such as Will’s satisfying character arc, Dustin’s moving tribute to Eddie in his graduation speech, and Nancy’s overall heroism, there was too much going on to offer a wholly satisfying conclusion. Mike, originally established as Stranger Things‘ protagonist, is completely sidelined, and while Joyce has a big moment in the final battle against Vecna, her overprotective mother persona grows stale throughout the season.

There is also an unrealistically small number of character deaths in Stranger Things season 5, and Vecna is defeated way too easily. However, in the end, Stranger Things‘ finale does right by its beloved characters and goes out on a high note.

3

Stranger Things Season 2 (2017)

Episodes 9-17

Coming in third place is Stranger Things season 2. Premiering mercifully only a year after the first season, in 2017, season 2 continued what its predecessor started. The series returns to Hawkins one year after Will was rescued from the Upside Down, but unfortunately, not everything is as normal or happy as it seems.

Despite Joyce’s sweet new relationship with the ill-fated Bob Newby and the arrival of the cool and mysterious Max Mayfield, Will is still haunted by the Upside Down and everything it holds. Stranger Things season 2 sees the start of Steve and Dustin’s iconic friendship, Nancy and Jonathan’s romance, and the introduction of the Mindflayer.

Overall, the second season was incredibly well-received, overcoming the typical sophomore season slump that television series often fall into and successfully maintaining the energy of the first, while also expanding on the Stranger Things world via new characters, new romances, and new monsters.

However, the one big problem that hurt Stranger Things season 2 the most was the Lost Sister plotline. This storyline only ever appeared in season 2 and was disliked by the majority of viewers because of its slow pace and lack of similarity to the rest of the plot. Unfortunately, this brings season 2’s success down a notch.

2

Stranger Things Season 4 (2022)

Episodes 26-34

Stranger Things‘ penultimate season is the show’s second-best. In season 4, the Stranger Things cast is split up, with some characters in Indiana, some in California, and others in Russia. In Hawkins, a string of disturbing murders is taking place, setting off a townwide bout of period-appropriate Satanic panic, while Max seems to be at the center of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Mike goes to visit Eleven in California, but her past quickly comes back to haunt her. Finally, Joyce travels to Russia to save the once presumed dead Hopper. This season’s highlights include the introduction of fan-favorite Eddie Munson and the series’ biggest villain yet, Vecna.

Ultimately, Stranger Things season 4 was a big success for the series as a whole. While it isn’t devoid of flaws, the season was mostly lauded by audiences and critics alike. In particular, viewers were pleased with how the series included lengthier episodes and more mature themes to match the ages of the cast, with grief, trauma, and mental health playing pivotal roles. This especially goes for Max, who was struggling to cope with Billy’s death, which made her easy prey for Vecna.

Furthermore, Stranger Things season 4 had a story that was effective both in bringing the overarching story to a peak and in dealing with its important themes. In general, season 4 succeeded at setting the stage for the show’s epic conclusion.

1

Stranger Things Season 1 (2016)

Episodes 1-8

While it is hard to judge which Stranger Things seasons are the worst, it is easy to give the top spot to the very first season, Stranger Things season 1. In the first season, audiences meet Mike Wheeler and his nerdy friends, along with single mom Joyce Byers, who is dedicated to getting her son back, and Eleven, the telepathic young girl at the very center of Hawkins’ biggest mysteries.

Though this season has the lowest stakes in order to introduce everything, this almost makes it an easier, more entertaining watch. And especially now that the show is complete, Stranger Things season 1 is particularly nostalgic.

Stranger Things season 1 is the best because it is the hook that captures audiences in the first place. The rest of Stranger Things would not be as popular without this first installment, which builds such an interesting and unique world, wearing its influences on its sleeve, from Stephen King novels to Steven Spielberg blockbusters. By combining 1980s nostalgia with scary sci-fi concepts, Stranger Things creates a story that viewers can really sink into.

With such dynamic characters and thoughtful storylines, Stranger Things season 1 is what started it all, and for that reason, it deserves the most praise. Undoubtedly, everyone can remember the time in their life when they first started watching Stranger Things.

Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Network

Netflix

Showrunner

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

Writers

Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock