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The Best Episodes of Stranger Things

Every episode of Stranger Things ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Stranger Things!

Binge this in 1d 21h•Peaking at 9.6/10

When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
    9.6/10(84436 votes)

    S4:E7

    As Hopper braces to battle a monster, Dustin dissects Vecna's motives — and decodes a message from beyond. El finds strength in a distant memory.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  2. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: Dear Billy
    9.5/10(75013 votes)

    S4:E4

    Max is in grave danger... and running out of time. A patient at Pennhurst asylum has visitors. Elsewhere, in Russia, Hopper is hard at work.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Paul Dichter

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  3. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Upside Down
    9.3/10(56630 votes)

    S1:E8

    Dr. Brenner holds Hopper and Joyce for questioning while the boys wait with Eleven in the gym. Back at Will's, Nancy and Jonathan prepare for battle.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 9 - Chapter Nine: The Gate
    9.3/10(52221 votes)

    S2:E9

    Eleven makes plans to finish what she started while the survivors turn up the heat on the monstrous force that's holding Will hostage.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  5. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt
    9.3/10(59453 votes)

    S3:E8

    Terror reigns in the food court when the Mind Flayer comes to collect. But down below, in the dark, the future of the world is at stake.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  6. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: Sorcerer
    9.3/10(125819 votes)

    S5:E4

    The military tightens its grip on the town. Mike, Lucas and Robin orchestrate a daring escape. El comes face-to-face with the enemy.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writer:Paul Dichter

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Stranger Things

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  7. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Mind Flayer
    9.2/10(49034 votes)

    S2:E8

    An unlikely hero steps forward when a deadly development puts the Hawkins Lab on lockdown, trapping Will and several others inside.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  8. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 9 - Chapter Nine: The Piggyback
    9.2/10(65687 votes)

    S4:E9

    With selfless hearts and a clash of metal, heroes fight from every corner of the battlefield to save Hawkins — and the world itself.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  9. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Bathtub
    9.1/10(49366 votes)

    S1:E7

    Eleven struggles to reach Will, while Lucas warns that "the bad men are coming." Nancy and Jonathan show the police what Jonathan caught on camera.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writer:Justin Doble

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  10. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Spy
    9.1/10(46287 votes)

    S2:E6

    Will's connection to a shadowy evil grows stronger, but no one's quite sure how to stop it. Elsewhere, Dustin and Steve forge an unlikely bond.

    Director:Andrew Stanton
    Writer:Kate Trefry

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  11. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Body
    8.9/10(49606 votes)

    S1:E4

    Refusing to believe Will is dead, Joyce tries to connect with her son. The boys give Eleven a makeover. Nancy and Jonathan form an unlikely alliance.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  12. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Sauna Test
    8.9/10(45638 votes)

    S3:E4

    A code red brings the gang back together to face a frighteningly familiar evil. Karen urges Nancy to keep digging, and Robin finds a useful map.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Kate Trefry

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  13. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly
    8.8/10(50207 votes)

    S1:E3

    An increasingly concerned Nancy looks for Barb and finds out what Jonathan's been up to. Joyce is convinced Will is trying to talk to her.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Jessica Mecklenburg

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  14. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Monster
    8.8/10(47171 votes)

    S1:E6

    A frantic Jonathan looks for Nancy in the darkness, but Steve's looking for her, too. Hopper and Joyce uncover the truth about the lab's experiments.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Jessie Nickson-Lopez

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  15. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: Dig Dug
    8.7/10(42631 votes)

    S2:E5

    Nancy and Jonathan swap conspiracy theories with a new ally as Eleven searches for someone from her past. “Bob the Brain” tackles a difficult problem.

    Director:Andrew Stanton
    Writer:Jessie Nickson-Lopez

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  16. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Bite
    8.7/10(43561 votes)

    S3:E7

    With time running out -- and an assassin close behind -- Hopper's crew races back to Hawkins, where El and the kids are preparing for war.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  17. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: Papa
    8.7/10(47838 votes)

    S4:E8

    Nancy has sobering visions, and El passes an important test. Back in Hawkins, the gang gathers supplies and prepares for battle.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  18. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
    8.6/10(61649 votes)

    S1:E1

    On his way home from a friend's house, young Will sees something terrifying. Nearby, a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a government lab.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  19. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat
    8.6/10(47374 votes)

    S1:E5

    Hopper breaks into the lab while Nancy and Jonathan confront the force that took Will. The boys ask Mr. Clarke how to travel to another dimension.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Alison Tatlock

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  20. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: Will the Wise
    8.5/10(42423 votes)

    S2:E4

    An ailing Will opens up to Joyce -- with disturbing results. While Hopper digs for the truth, Eleven unearths a surprising discovery.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Paul Dichter

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  21. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Flayed
    8.5/10(42257 votes)

    S3:E5

    Strange surprises lurk inside an old farmhouse and deep beneath the Starcourt Mall. Meanwhile, the Mind Flayer is gathering strength.

    Director:Uta Briesewitz
    Writer:Paul Dichter

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  22. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: E Pluribus Unum
    8.5/10(42509 votes)

    S3:E6

    Dr. Alexei reveals what the Russians have been building, and Eleven sees where Billy has been. Dustin and Erica stage a daring rescue.

    Director:Uta Briesewitz
    Writer:Curtis Gwinn

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  23. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Dive
    8.5/10(44125 votes)

    S4:E6

    Behind the Iron Curtain, a risky rescue mission gets underway. The California crew seeks help from a hacker. Steve takes one for the team.

    Director:Nimród Antal
    Writer:Curtis Gwinn

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  24. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: The Pollywog
    8.4/10(42435 votes)

    S2:E3

    Dustin adopts a strange new pet, and Eleven grows increasingly impatient. A well-meaning Bob urges Will to stand up to his fears.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Justin Doble

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  25. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap
    8.4/10(81867 votes)

    S5:E3

    Will gains unique insight into Vecna's next move, giving the crew an opportunity to set a trap. Holly explores her new surroundings.

    Director:Frank Darabont
    Writer:Caitlin Schneiderhan

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Best Episodes Summary

"Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab" is the best rated episode of "Stranger Things". It scored 9.6/10 based on 84436 votes. Directed by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and written by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, it aired on 5/27/2022. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Chapter Four: Dear Billy".