Top 5 Stranger Things episodes ranked: Which ones make the cut?

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The globally acclaimed series Stranger Things is gearing up for the final chapter, as after Season 5, Eleven and her squad won't return for more mysteries and thrilling adventures in Hawkins. It all began with the disappearance of Will, followed by the rise of Vecna, and now the chaos must end.

As seen in Season 1, the story kicks off with a mysterious girl with supernatural abilities who escapes from the lab. Her name is Eleven, and she joins Will’s friends in their mission. Her psychic powers become crucial in battling the strange threats emerging from the Upside Down.

The series mixes horror and science fiction with a coming-of-age story, all wrapped in nostalgic 1980s pop culture — from the music to the fashion and even the filming style. Each episode of the series feels incredibly powerful, and if you're a hardcore fan, then it would be quite challenging to find out which one made the cut.

Keep reading to know the top five most memorable episodes of the sci-fi series!

The top five episodes of Stranger Things ranked

Robin, Steve and Dustin (Image Source: Netflix)

No one could have imagined when Stranger Things initially aired how far it would burrow itself into pop culture. What began as a retro throwback love letter to '80s horror and sci-fi became an emotional epic packed with rich characters, heart-wrenching moments, and paranormal mayhem.

With each season, the series has set the bar higher—not only in terms of storytelling and suspense, but with episodes that leave viewers stunned long after the credits roll. Although the show has had plenty of its standout moments, there are some episodes that viewers find themselves returning to.

The ones that broke them, shook them, or left them in love with the characters all over again. These episodes aren't merely fan favorites; they're the emotional and narrative touchstones that make up the Stranger Things journey.

Here are five such episodes that have left a lasting impression on audiences, each for reasons very different but equally impactful.

5) "The Mind Flayer" (Season 2, Episode 8)

The key characters (Image Source: Netflix)

Just before the Season 2 finale, this episode raises the tension to a whole new level. Hawkins Lab is under lockdown as the Demodogs — terrifying creatures from the Upside Down—break free. As everyone scrambles to escape, Bob becomes the unexpected hero.

His decision to stay behind and help others flee ultimately costs him his life, and the scene is both brave and devastating. Meanwhile, Will is fully under the Mind Flayer’s influence, and his possession is growing stronger.

The final moments offer a dramatic jolt as Eleven shows up just in time, signaling her return to the fight. It’s an episode packed with action, fear, and sorrow — the kind of episode that sticks with you.

Also Read: Finn Wolfhard reveals how long the episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 are

4) "The Gate" (Season 2, Episode 9)

Eleven and her dad (Image Source: Netflix)

The second season of Stranger Things wraps with big emotions and even bigger stakes. Eleven, after being in hiding for a while, comes back with full strength and determination to close the gate to the Upside Down forever.

Meanwhile, the group is racing to liberate Will from the Mind Flayer's influence, employing heat to push the creature out of him. These two storylines — shutting down the gate and rescuing Will — reunite the group for a high-stakes conclusion.

But despite the pandemonium, the series never loses its heart: Mike and Eleven are reunited and share their first kiss at the Snow Ball dance, a gentle, hopeful moment that belies the season's bleak conclusion.

3) "The Upside Down" (Season 1, Episode 8)

Eleven confronting the Demogorgon (Image Source: Netflix)

As the Season One finale, this episode tied everything Stranger Things had set up: the horror, the friendship, and the mystery. Joyce and Hopper go into the horrifying alternate world — the Upside Down—to save Will.

Meanwhile, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas encounter the Demogorgon face-to-face. Eleven gives her life to kill the monster (but later comes back) in a scene that's both heroic and tragic. This episode not only ties up Season 1's storylines; it also establishes the tone for everything afterward. It's where Stranger Things becomes an official show about love, courage, and the unknown.

Also Read: Stranger Things cast all bid farewell to the Netflix series as Season 5 wraps

2) "Dear Billy" (Season 4, Episode 4)

Max wrote a letter to her stepbrother (Image Source: Netflix)

If there's one episode that gets both the emotional pain and fear of Stranger Things, it's this one. Max takes center stage, tormented by loss and experiencing the clutches of Vecna tightening around her.

As she sits down to pen a poignant letter to her deceased stepbrother Billy, she's getting ready for what might be her last hours. Her friends are meanwhile desperately trying to shield her.

What makes this moment so memorable in Stranger Things Season 4 isn't the peril — it's how it mixes music with emotion. That moment when Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill played as Max outran Vecna's trap became one of the most memorable moments in the series. It was raw and forceful and allowed Max the opportunity to become a star for the first time.

1) "The Massacre at Hawkins Lab" (Season 4, Episode 7)

Eleven had incredible powers (Image Source: Netflix)

Just as the episode title suggests, we finally uncover what happened at the Hawkins lab and the origin of Vecna. It's revealed that Vecna's name was Henry Creel, or we should say Number 01, who was Papa's former test subject at Hawkins Lab, just like Eleven.

She relives the memories, and we see how Eleven was indirectly responsible for the devastating massacre at the lab, which led to Vecna's creation. While that heavy backstory unfolds, another intense plot is happening thousands of miles away.

Hopper is trapped in a Russian prison and forced into a brutal fight against a Demogorgon. The stakes are life-and-death, but they’re also emotional, especially for viewers who have followed Hopper’s difficult journey.

The Stranger Things episode manages to combine deep personal histories with shocking twists and a major expansion of the show’s supernatural world.