19 Best Episodes of Stranger Things, ranked by IMDb scores

Created by The Duffer Brothers, this sci-fi horror series was a breakout hit for Netflix as it played into the nostalgia for the 1980s and delivered an action-packed and sinister show. It revolves around a small town in America that is the site for illegal experiments, which unleash a deadly force from another dimension. The show has many memorable episodes and here are 19 such episodes in descending order according to the IMDb scores.

1. The Massacre at Hawkins Lab - Season 4, Episode 7

With a rating of 9.6, this episode is the highest-rated on IMDb and there is a reason for that. In an insanely tense yet action-packed episode, it is revealed that Vecna is Henry Creel, who was the first subject in Brenner’s program. The episode also brings back Eleven’s powers, while Vecna targets Nancy’s subconscious.

2. Dear Billy – Season 4, Episode 5

One of the breakout episodes from the series, this one has a rating of 9.4 and is full of action. While Murray and Joyce are betrayed by Yuri and Hopper is recaptured, Max is captured by Vecna. It is only when she hears her favourite music, “Running up that Hill”, through Dustin and Lucas’s help that a flood of beloved memories comes rushing back to her and she is able to break out of Vecna’s grasp.

3. The Upside Down – Season 1, Episode 8

This one has a rating of 9.3 and is the season finale of the first season. In the episode, Steve helps Nancy and Jonathan in their battle against the Demogorgon. While Eleven protects her friends from an attack by Brenner and the deadly creature. Finally, Eleven’s power is extinguished and she vanishes from the human world, leaving everyone in bewilderment as Will begins to be haunted by the Upside Down.

4. The Gate – Season 2, Episode 9

This episode has a rating of 9.3 and focuses on Hopper and Eleven on their way to seal the gate to the Upside Down in Hawkins lab. Steve, Max, and the gang try to fight off the Demodogs and help Eleven close the gate. On the other hand, the Mindflayer is in control of Will and Joyce, Nancy, and Jonathan try to use heating to bring Will out. The episode is tense and engrossing.

5. The Mindflayer – Season 2, Episode 8

This one also has a rating of 9.2 and has a heartbreaking scene where Bob sacrifices his life for Joyce as the gang tries to flee from the free Demogorgons in Hawkins's lab. On the other hand, the creatures assemble at Byers and attack it only for them to be defeated by Eleven, who makes a grand entry after vanishing in Season 1.

6. The Battle of Starcourt – Season 3, Episode 9

With a rating of 9.2, this episode keeps the neon aesthetic of 1980s malls as the central backdrop and revolves around Billy as he sacrifices himself to save Eleven’s life and becomes a puppet of the Mindflayer. While Suzie, Dustin, and others guide Joyce and Hopper through the tunnels of the mall. In a heartbreaking finale, Hopper seemingly dies, leaving a sentimental note for Eleven.

7. The Piggyback – Season 4, Episode 9

This one has a rating of 9.1 and is the final episode of the fourth season. While Hopper and Joyce wait for the US to rescue them from Russia, they share a tender moment. Meanwhile, Max baits Vecna by distracting him and Dustin and Eddie draw away the Demobats. Finally, Nancy, Steve, and Robin get into Vecna’s lair to kill him. The episode also features Eleven and Vecna having a showdown.

8. The Spy – Season 2, Episode 8

The episode has a rating of 9.1 and revolves around Will as he begins to have violent reactions and begins to be ensnared by the Mindflayer’s presence in his subconscious. The episode also has some emotional moments as Max and Billy’s past is revealed and Nancy and Jonathan begin to develop feelings.

9. The Bathtub – Season 1, Episode 7

In this climactic episode with a rating of 9.0, Eleven saves her friends from federal agents while referencing back to E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Joyce and Hopper finally learn about the Demogorgon. While the boys help Eleven to boost her powers and put her in a sensory deprivation tank, she locates Will in the Upside Down. Jonathan and Nancy also prepare a trap for the Demogorgon.

10. The Body – Season 1, Episode 4

With a rating of 8.9, this episode comes closer and closer to the conclusion as Eleven is able to make contact with Will in the Upside Down and Lucas, Dustin, and Mike contact him through a radio setup and Eleven’s powers. On the other hand, Joyce uses Christmas lights to reach out to her son and Hopper believes in her claims.

11. The Sauna Test – Season 3, Episode 4

Another episode with a rating of 8.9, this one follows Bill as he is fully under the control of the Mindflayer and is killing people. Meanwhile, Lucas, Eleven, Max, and Mike, try to extinguish the Mindflayer in a swimming pool by using intense heat. However, Billy escapes and reveals the true strength of the Mindflayer.

12. Holly, Jolly – Season 1, Episode 3

This one has a rating of 8.8 and begins with Nancy’s friend Barb getting killed by the Demogorgon and Nancy trying to find her afterwards. While the boys try to make up a plan to find Will and save him from the Demogorgon. Eleven has a flashback of her days at the Hawkins lab and Hopper investigates the place. Meanwhile, Joyce uses Christmas lights to communicate with Will.

13. The Monster – Season 1, Episode 6

With a rating of 8.8, this one brings things to a head as Nancy gets trapped in the Upside Down with the Demogorgon and escapes with the help of Jonathan. Meanwhile, Hopper and Joyce connect the dots and realise the unethical experiments going on inside the Hawkins lab. And Eleven has a flashback of being used by Brenner to find the Demogorgon.

14. Dig Dug – Season 2, Episode 5

This one has a rating of 8.8 and begins with Joyce trying to make out meaning from Will’s drawings. Eleven takes a journey of her own to visit her mother. Hopper continues his investigation and Bob helps the gang in their investigations. The episode slowly develops the overall plotline of the season and brings together the children and adults on their quest to stop the Demogorgon.

15. The Bite – Season 3, Episode 7

The episode has a rating of 8.7 and begins amidst the setting of the Hawkins Fair. Nancy realizes that the Mindflayer will target the cabin in the woods. As the gang get inside the cabin, the Mindflayer attacks them and Eleven tries to protect her friends. Meanwhile, Dustin and Erica try to get Steve and Robin out of their drugged stupor and the children and adults assemble at the Starcourt Mall for a showdown.

16. Papa – Season 4, Episode 8

The episode has a rating of 8.6 and follows Nancy as she gets trapped by Vecna’s curse. It is revealed to her how Brenner recruited Henry Creel for his experiments. On the other hand, a Demogorgon in the Gulag in Russia goes rogue and begins to attack everyone. Eleven has an encounter with Brenner who explains her past to her and the gang begins to make a plan to take on Vecna.

17. The Flea and the Acrobat – Season 1, Episode 5

With a rating of 8.6, this episode begins with Hopper breaking into the Hawkins lab to get to know about its secrets and Mike, Dustin, and Lucas decide to make a plan to locate Will. This is also the episode where the boys also approach their teacher who explains the concept of the Upside Down and other dimensions to them.

18. The Dive – Season 4, Episode 6

This episode has a rating of 8.5 and has Government officials trying to locate Eleven while Joyce and Murray are stranded in the Russian woods and try to take the help of Yuri. Nancy and the group realize that Vecna will attack from the attic and try to come up with a plan to kill him. Meanwhile, the other group from California, arrive at Suzie Bingham’s house.

19. The Vanishing of Will Byers – Season 1, Episode 1

The inaugural episode of the series has a rating of 8.5 and the episode does a commendable job of paying homage to the 1980s and introducing the characters to the viewers. The gang of Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will play Dungeons and Dragons and as the game ends, the boys leave for their home. During this time, the Demogorgon captures Will. The characters of Hopper and Joyce are also introduced and the episode gives a glimpse of Eleven.