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The Worst Episodes of Stranger Things: Tales from '85

Every episode of Stranger Things: Tales from '85 ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Stranger Things: Tales from '85!

Worst episode
S1E1 Chapter One: Welcome to Hawkins, New Kid
6.42,580 votes
Best episode
S1E10 Chapter Ten: Countdown
7.21,786 votes
Top season
Season 2
7.0avg
Binge time
8h 52m
18 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: Welcome to Hawkins, New Kid
    6.4/10(2580 votes)

    S1:E1

    A surprising new threat alters the gang's plans to shovel snow for extra cash, bringing them face to face with danger and closer to a cool new student.

    Directors:Eric Robles, Sarah Jean Partington
    Writers:Jennifer Muro, Eric Robles

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  2. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: Bad Harvest
    6.6/10(2228 votes)

    S1:E2

    Nikki joins the party — and the newly formed Hawkins Investigators Club. Strange things take root at a nearby farm and shake up the Winter Festival.

    Director:JJ Conway
    Writers:Eric Robles, Chad Quandt

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  3. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: A Storm Is Coming
    6.7/10(1697 votes)

    S1:E6

    As a blizzard bears down on Hawkins, Dustin goes on a side quest, and Max and Lucas hear a cry for help. A bold move lands some of the gang in detention.

    Director:Ashe Jacobson
    Writer:Ray Utarnachitt

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  4. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Weekly Watcher
    6.8/10(1714 votes)

    S1:E5

    When a photo that could put El in danger gets sold to a popular tabloid, the kids pull Nancy into a heist to get it back. If they can't? It's game over.

    Director:Ben Choi
    Writer:Joshua Pruett

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  5. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 1 - Chapter One: A Haunting in Hawkins
    6.8/10(439 votes)

    S2:E1

    Just when it seems like the Hawkins Investigators Club is completely out of cases, a series of strange new events pulls them into a paranormal mystery.

    Director:Ben Choi
    Writer:Dan Milano

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  6. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Mine
    6.8/10(394 votes)

    S2:E2

    After hearing Charlie's ghost story, the guys start filming their video history report in the woods. The girls go into business for Valentine's Day.

    Director:Ashe Jacobson
    Writers:Kevin Burke, Chris Wyatt

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  7. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: The Curse of Bloodaxe Bill
    6.8/10(376 votes)

    S2:E3

    Glowing flowers, Hate Sprites and a skeleton inside a spooky mine. Are ghosts real, or is the Upside Down at it again? Time for the H.I.C. to investigate.

    Director:Philip J. Allora
    Writer:Alexis Quasarano

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  8. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: Split the Party
    6.8/10(344 votes)

    S2:E5

    Danger scatters the party into smaller groups running for their lives. Mike comes up with a theory to explain what's powering the flowers' eerie glow.

    Director:Philip J. Allora
    Writer:Caitlin Schneiderhan

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  9. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: Evolution
    6.9/10(1869 votes)

    S1:E3

    The kids look for answers about the mutant creatures plaguing their town and get a helpful lesson from Mrs. Baxter, their substitute science teacher.

    Director:JJ Conway
    Writers:Jennifer Muro, Chad Quandt

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  10. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: Enter the Storm
    6.9/10(1685 votes)

    S1:E7

    Lucas and Max seek higher ground to call in a Code Red. Across town, Will, Mike and Nikki are snowed in at school — and El can see they're not alone.

    Director:Philip J. Allora
    Writer:Dan Milano

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  11. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Party
    6.9/10(1641 votes)

    S1:E8

    Dustin finds danger at the Food Mart when two terrifying creatures break in. The gang gears up to go underground just in time for Nikki's birthday.

    Director:Ben Choi
    Writers:Ray Utarnachitt, Jen Bardekoff

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  12. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Lich
    7.0/10(343 votes)

    S2:E6

    Our heroes have never seen a creature like this before — and now they're headed straight for its lair. Can El find the Lich before it's too late?

    Director:Ashe Jacobson
    Writer:Ryan Little

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  13. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Golem
    7.1/10(347 votes)

    S2:E7

    A troubling vision reveals the truth about the Lich and where it came from, but it's nearly impossible to believe.

    Director:Ben Choi
    Writer:Dan Milano

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  14. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Séance
    7.2/10(359 votes)

    S2:E4

    The gang plans a séance to summon the ghost of Bloodaxe Bill. But they'll need Nancy's Ouija board — and step-by-step instructions.

    Director:Ben Choi
    Writer:Elise Bradley

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  15. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 2 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: Count to Five
    7.2/10(364 votes)

    S2:E8

    As the Golem tightens its fear grip on Hawkins, it's up to El and her friends to defend their town — and save the people they love.

    Director:Philip J. Allora
    Writers:Kevin Burke, Chris Wyatt

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  16. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 9 - Chapter Nine: The Suspect
    7.1/10(1634 votes)

    S1:E9

    In the wake of a shocking revelation, the H.I.C. digs in to investigate, splitting up into teams to search for more clues and uncover the truth.

    Director:Ashe Jacobson
    Writer:Alexis Quasarano

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  17. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Confession
    7.1/10(1825 votes)

    S1:E4

    A worried Mike decides to come clean to Hopper, and Dustin drags Steve into the H.I.C. Nikki welcomes Will to the mosh pit. Lucas and Max hit the arcade.

    Directors:JJ Conway, Philip J. Allora
    Writer:Dan Milano

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  18. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Season 1 Episode 10 - Chapter Ten: Countdown
    7.2/10(1786 votes)

    S1:E10

    With time running out, the party pulls together for a brave battle to stay alive. Friends have to help friends — because Hawkins' future depends on it.

    Director:Philip J. Allora
    Writers:Ryan Little, Kevin Burke, Chris Wyatt

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Chapter One: Welcome to Hawkins, New Kid" is the worst rated episode of Stranger Things: Tales from '85. It scored 6.4/10 from 2,580 votes. Directed by Eric Robles, Sarah Jean Partington and written by Jennifer Muro, Eric Robles, it aired on April 23, 2026. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Chapter Two: Bad Harvest".

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