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The Worst Episodes of Stranger Things

Every episode of Stranger Things ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst 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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Bridge
    5.6/10(194275 votes)

    S5:E7

    On the anniversary of Will's disappearance, the party reunites to prepare for a battle with world-altering implications.

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy
    Writers:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

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  2. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 7 - Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister
    6.0/10(62191 votes)

    S2:E7

    Psychic visions draw Eleven to a band of violent outcasts and an angry girl with a shadowy past.

    Director:Rebecca Thomas
    Writer:Justin Doble

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  3. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 8 - Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up
    7.4/10(178512 votes)

    S5:E8

    As Vecna prepares to destroy the world as we know it, the party must put everything on the line to defeat him once and for all.

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

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  4. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 1 - Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?
    7.8/10(47436 votes)

    S3:E1

    Summer brings new jobs and budding romance. But the mood shifts when Dustin's radio picks up a Russian broadcast, and Will senses something is wrong.

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

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  5. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Crawl
    7.8/10(84701 votes)

    S5:E1

    November, 1987. The gang evades the military to scour the Upside Down for Vecna — but fails to notice a threat lurking closer to home.

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

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  6. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: Shock Jock
    7.8/10(89299 votes)

    S5:E5

    The gang hatches an electrifying plan to reconnect Will to the hive mind. Tensions flare during a search of the Upside Down's Hawkins Lab.

    Director:Frank Darabont
    Writer:Curtis Gwinn

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  7. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Mall Rats
    7.9/10(44651 votes)

    S3:E2

    Nancy and Jonathan follow a lead, Steve and Robin sign on to a secret mission, and Max and Eleven go shopping. A rattled Billy has troubling visions.

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

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  8. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 6 - Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz
    7.9/10(94565 votes)

    S5:E6

    As Holly and Max fight to escape Vecna's mind, El must find a way into Will's. Joyce wrestles with guilt. Jonathan and Nancy face a turning point.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Kate Trefry

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  9. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 1 - Chapter One: MADMAX
    8.1/10(45435 votes)

    S2:E1

    As the town preps for Halloween, a high-scoring rival shakes things up at the arcade, and a skeptical Hopper inspects a field of rotting pumpkins.

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

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  10. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Hellfire Club
    8.1/10(49959 votes)

    S4:E1

    El is bullied at school. Joyce opens a mysterious package. A scrappy player shakes up D&D night.

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

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  11. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse
    8.1/10(45388 votes)

    S4:E2

    A plane brings Mike to California — and a dead body brings Hawkins to a halt. Nancy goes looking for leads. A shaken Eddie tells the gang what he saw.

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

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  12. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Nina Project
    8.1/10(43509 votes)

    S4:E5

    Owens takes El to Nevada, where she's forced to confront her past, while the Hawkins kids comb a crumbling house for clues. Vecna claims another victim.

    Director:Nimród Antal
    Writer:Kate Trefry

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  13. Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak
    8.2/10(43413 votes)

    S2:E2

    After Will sees something terrible on trick-or-treat night, Mike wonders whether Eleven's still out there. Nancy wrestles with the truth about Barb.

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

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  14. Stranger Things Season 3 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard
    8.2/10(42939 votes)

    S3:E3

    With El and Max looking for Billy, Will declares a day without girls. Steve and Dustin go on a stakeout, and Joyce and Hopper return to Hawkins Lab.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:William Bridges

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  15. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street
    8.3/10(51076 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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  16. Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 3 - Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero
    8.3/10(44240 votes)

    S4:E3

    Murray and Joyce fly to Alaska, and El faces serious consequences. Robin and Nancy dig up dirt on Hawkins' demons. Dr. Owens delivers sobering news.

    Director:Shawn Levy
    Writer:Caitlin Schneiderhan

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  17. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 2 - Chapter Two: The Vanishing of...
    8.3/10(81566 votes)

    S5:E2

    After a vicious attack at the Wheeler home, Mike and Nancy confront the cost of secrecy, while El and Hopper embark on a rescue mission.

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

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  18. 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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  19. 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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  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 1 Episode 1 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers
    8.6/10(61648 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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  25. Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 5 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat
    8.6/10(47373 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Chapter Seven: The Bridge" is the worst rated episode of "Stranger Things". It scored 5.6/10 based on 194275 votes. Directed by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy and written by Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, it aired on 12/25/2025. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister".