Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most iconic originals, and after 10 years, 5 seasons, and 42 episodes, the beloved sci-fi horror drama is gearing up for its final chapter on December 31, 2025. And after the thrilling end of Season 5 Vol. 1, fans are more eager than ever to see how the story of Hawkins concludes. As everybody eagerly awaits Vol. 2, fans are keeping themselves busy by rewatching old episodes and spinning new theories. Everyone has their own personal favorites, but these are the highest-rated episodes of Stranger Things on IMDb so far.
With the massive popularity and fan-following the show has gained over the years, fans can rest assured that this show will pass the test of time. Amazing cast, gripping storyline, catchy music; the show checks all the boxes, and that’s why it’s one of the most popular TV shows on Netflix of all time. But what are the best bits of the show? Let’s find out.
Spoilers ahead!
The highest rated episodes of Netflix’s Stranger Things
Chapter Seven: The Bathtub — Season 1, Episode 7
Current Rating: 9.0/10
We have seen many powerful scenes on the show, but watching middle school kids trying to rescue their friend in this season 1 episode hits differently. Even without nostalgia, this is an intense episode. We get to see El using her power to flip a van for the first time while Dr Brenner tries to catch them. The kids create a sensory deprivation tank for El, so she can find Will and Barbara in the Upside Down. The episode has suspense, tension, thrill, and emotional drama, which makes it an awesome watch.
Chapter Six: The Spy — Season 2, Episode 6
Current Rating: 9.1/10
In episode 6 of season 2, Will is revealed to be a spy for the Mind Flayer or Vecna. During this episode, Jonathon and Nancy’s relationship develops. The episode also heralds the start of Steve and Dustin’s unlikely friendship, and they later become a fan favourite duo. It doesn’t have any dramatic showcases, but it’s an interesting episode which feeds to the storyline, and most crucially, one that links to the season 5 finale as well.
Chapter Nine: The Piggyback — Season 4, Episode 9
Current Rating: 9.1/10
In the Season 4 finale, Eleven finally regains her powers to fight Vecna. But this time, the finale is just the end of the beginning. Hopper returns from Russia. Vecna temporarily kills Max, which puts her into a coma. El tries to fight Vecna, and an immense amount of power almost breaks Hawkins into half, blending Upside Down with the real world. To the despair of all, Eddie also meets a tragic and horrific death. This episode serves as the perfect prologue for Season 5.
Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt — Season 3, Episode 8
Current Rating: 9.2/10
In season 3, the gang had to fight both the Russians and the physical manifestation of the Mind Flayer. This season also introduced us to Robin and Sussie, expanding on the lore of Hawkins. The only entry of Season 3 in the Top 10 highest rated episodes of Stranger Things, this episode features the unforgettable scene where Dustin and Sussie sing “Never Ending Story” while the mind flayer chases after the groups’ car, making for one of the most hilarious scenes of the show ever.
The kids group fight the mind flayer with Steve, Nancy, and Jonathon while Hopper, Murray, and Joyce go to fight off the Russians. But unfortunately, it takes Billy’s sacrifice to defeat the monster.
Chapter Eight: The Mind Flayer — Season 2, Episode 8
Current Rating: 9.2/10
In this episode, the kids finally identify the main villain aka the Mind Flayer. The Hawkins team conjures up a plan to get rid of the Mind Flayer bits from Will, save him, and everyone else. It’s a high-action episode with gruesome Demogorgons running around and killing people, including Bob. Making for a highly emotional and power-packed episode, Jonathon, Joyce, and Mike also recount their old memories of Will to bring him back from the monster’s mind control.
Chapter Nine: The Gate — Season 2, Episode 9
Current Rating: 9.3/10
Following up from the previous entry “The Mind Flayer”, “The Gate” is next in our list of the most highly-rated episodes of Stranger Things. In season 2, El is separated from her friends, the kids of Hawkins. And in the season finale, they finally reunite. In this episode, Joyce and the others force the Mind Flayer bits out of Will, and El uses her power to shut the primary gate inside the Hawkins Energy Department lab. Steve takes on the role of trusty babysitter as he watches over the kids while they go to set the hub on fire. This memorable episode is an emotional ride, an amazing production with suspense and thrill. And to top it off, it has the snowball scene, where all the kids are happily dancing to The Police’s timeless track “Every Breath You Take”.
Chapter Eight: The Upside Down — Season 1, Episode 8
Current Rating: 9.3/10
Even after five seasons, the final episode of season 1 is still among the most popular. To this day, it remains one of the highest rated episodes of Stranger Things, beating the season finales which came after this. In this episode, we got Steve’s iconic bat scene which later became synonymous with his character. He helps Jonathon and Nancy beat the Demogorgon, so Hopper and Joyce can rescue Will. But, a Demo also attacks the kids at the school, leading El to use her power to defeat the monster and save the day. Viewers also see Will at the wall here, which we later learned is a significant detail. This episode also hints at Will having a much bigger connection with the Upside Down than we realise.
Chapter Four: Dear Billy — Season 4, Episode 7
Current Rating: 9.5/10
This episode is not one with loads of Demogorgons, but it’s an influential and powerful episode that answers many burning questions. In this episode, we learn that Max is Vecna’s next victim, and Vecna’s curse of Max gives Sadie Sink one of the most insane moments of the show. Here, the Duffer Brothers also used the iconic song “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush, introducing the song to a whole new generation. Horror movie legend Robert Englund also makes a cameo in “Dear Billy” as Victor Creel, and as expected, gives a stellar performance. This critically-acclaimed episode is also rated 100 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Chapter Four: Sorcerer — Season 5, Episode 4
Current Rating: 9.6/10
The Vol. 1 finale of Season 5, “Sorcerer” is one of the most gripping episodes of Stranger Things. A lot happens in this 1 hour and 26 minute episode; Max tells Holly where they are trapped, Kali aka 008 from season 2 returns, and Vecna makes an appearance. But the most crucial scene of this episode, and also the most important of Vol. 1 comes when Will, after being afraid and battling with his inner all these years, taps into the hive mind and channels the power of Vecna to kill three Demogorgons and save his friends. Undoubtedly, the revelation of Will’s powers is going to be a key element in defeating Vecna in the later episodes, especially as Will is now a ‘Sorcerer’. The cinematography and acting during this scene are also unmatched. The episode debuted with a rating of 9.8, but now after over 50k+ votes, it sits at 9.6, tied with season 4’s Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab.
Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab — Season 4, Episode 7
Current Rating: 9.6/10
This episode is a very important chapter in Vecna’s story. Steve, Nancy, Robin, and Eddie end up in the Upside Down while Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Erica communicate with them from the real world. As the group tries to escape from the Upside Down, Vecna possesses Nancy and shows her a scary vision about the future of her family.
This episode shows Vecna’s origin story. El is still with Dr Brenner (Papa) training at the Nina facility to recover her powers. He tries to jog up her memories from when she was a trainee with other children, who bullied her. It also shows the time when Henry Creel aka 001, Dr Brenner’s original subject, tried to get El on his side when they were both living in the lab. He persuades her to believe that the other children will kill her and makes her remove an inhibition chip implanted in his neck, so they can escape together. But once the chip is removed, Henry gets access to his full power and brutally massacres everyone in the lab, including all the other children and staff. When he reveals his true intentions, Eleven and Vecna fight and ultimately, she uses the only memory of her mother to call a psychic force that sends him to the Upside Down where he becomes Vecna. It’s an unmissable episode of the show!
(Hero and Featured Images: Courtesy IMDb)
This story first appeared here.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
