Every Season of ‘Stranger Things, ’ Ranked

You’d be hard pressed to find a singular soul who hasn’t become completely swept up by the mind-flaying magic and fantasy allure of Netflix’s Stranger Things. From the very first episode, when fan-favorite character Will Byers is “kidnapped” and placed in the Upside Down, it was obvious that the Duffer Brothers had undoubtedly struck television gold. Since the show’s premiere back in July 2016, the fantasy sensation has developed into a culture phenomenon — with the engaging narrative sparking its own exhibit for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios and even its own day in November, appropriately titled “Stranger Things Day.”

Through each face-melting season, thrill-seeking Netflix subscribers have been introduced to a cauldron of spine-tingling creatures from a separate dimension, along with tight-lipped government conspiracies, radioactive lab experiments, crooked politicians, and a seemingly endless amount of Eggos waffles. With each passing season, devoted viewers have been blessed with subtle touches of ‘80s nostalgia and the comforting sensation of friendships and unbreakable bonds. 

That being said, the topic of which season is the undisputed best is often tossed through the wringer within the Stranger Things community. So, before the hotly-anticipated fifth season arrives on Netflix (hopefully by next year, but probably 2025), let’s dive in and rank each season of Stranger Things thus far.

4. Season 3

Let’s be honest here, there’s no horrible season of Stranger Things, so having to place one on the bottom of the list is difficult enough. But for the sake of the content, if we reeeeally have to pick one for the bottom of the pile, then it’s just going to have to be the third season. In all honesty, this season isn’t bad in the slightest. Its entire premise is chock-full of nostalgic moments of being a child during summer and playing video games with your buddies and strolling the shopping mall all day with only $20 in your pocket. 

Simply put, the third season dared to be different and separate itself from the two seasons which came before. That being said, its differences might have actually proved to be some of its downfalls, with the season not really developing characters as much as it could have.

3. Season 4

If you can sit there and pretend like the fourth season of Stranger Things didn’t have you gasping and gritting your teeth at every turn, then you’re just lying. The season’s super-sized episode lengths truly made it all seem like a blockbuster movie in the same vein as a Star Wars flick. Throughout the season, established characters experienced larger-than-life development as the series transformed back into its original roots and reached culture phenomenon status once more.

With the introduction of Eddie Munson and the brutally intense showdown between Eleven and friends against supervillain Vecna, the fourth season honestly presented the most threat that the town of Hawkins has ever faced. Of course, it helped to have a heart-stopping song such as Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” playing loudly in the background.