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The Best Episodes of Stranger Things Season 1

Every episode of Stranger Things Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Stranger Things Season 1!

Binge this in 6h 38mPeaking at 9.3/10

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

Airs on

Seasons5

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
    8.6/10(57079 votes)

    #1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

    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.

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  2. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street
    8.3/10(47219 votes)

    #2 - Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

    S1:E2

    Lucas, Mike and Dustin try to talk to the girl they found in the woods. Hopper questions an anxious Joyce about an unsettling phone call.

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  3. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly
    8.8/10(46442 votes)

    #3 - Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly

    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.

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  4. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Body
    8.9/10(45836 votes)

    #4 - Chapter Four: The Body

    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.

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  5. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat
    8.6/10(43741 votes)

    #5 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat

    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.

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  6. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Monster
    8.8/10(43525 votes)

    #6 - Chapter Six: The Monster

    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.

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  8. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Bathtub
    9.0/10(45510 votes)

    #7 - Chapter Seven: The Bathtub

    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.

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  9. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Upside Down
    9.3/10(52382 votes)

    #8 - Chapter Eight: The Upside Down

    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.

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" is the best rated episode of "Stranger Things" season 1. It scored 8.6/10 based on 57079 votes. Directed by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and written by Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer, it aired on 7/15/2016. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street".