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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 38m·Peaking at 9.3/10
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Upside Down
    9.3/10(56785 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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  2. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Bathtub
    9.0/10(49511 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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  3. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 4 - Chapter Four: The Body
    8.9/10(49755 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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  4. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly
    8.8/10(50356 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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  5. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: The Monster
    8.8/10(47312 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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  6. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
    8.6/10(61851 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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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Stranger Things

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  7. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat
    8.6/10(47518 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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  8. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street
    8.3/10(51237 votes)

    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.

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

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" is the best rated episode of Stranger Things season 1. It scored 9.3/10 from 56,785 votes. Directed by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and written by Unknown, it aired on July 15, 2016. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Chapter Seven: The Bathtub".