The Worst Episodes of Stranger Things

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Worst Episode
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   5.6/10(187313 votes)

   #1 - Chapter Seven: The Bridge

   S5:E712/25/2025

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

   Directors:Shawn Levy, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Shawn Levy, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
2. 

   6.0/10(58884 votes)

   #2 - Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister

   S2:E710/27/2017

   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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   Director:Rebecca Thomas

   Writer:Justin Doble
3. 

   7.5/10(170639 votes)

   #3 - Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up

   S5:E812/31/2025

   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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
4. 

   7.8/10(44408 votes)

   #4 - Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?

   S3:E17/4/2019

   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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
5. 

   7.8/10(80331 votes)

   #5 - Chapter One: The Crawl

   S5:E111/26/2025

   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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
6. 

   7.9/10(41732 votes)

   #6 - Chapter Two: The Mall Rats

   S3:E27/4/2019

   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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
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7. 

   7.9/10(84821 votes)

   #7 - Chapter Five: Shock Jock

   S5:E512/25/2025

   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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   Director:Frank Darabont

   Writer:Curtis Gwinn
8. 

   7.9/10(89805 votes)

   #8 - Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz

   S5:E612/25/2025

   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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   Director:Shawn Levy

   Writer:Kate Trefry
9. 

   8.1/10(42487 votes)

   #9 - Chapter One: MADMAX

   S2:E110/27/2017

   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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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   Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

   Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
10. 

    8.1/10(46733 votes)

    #10 - Chapter One: The Hellfire Club

    S4:E15/27/2022

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

    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
11. 

    8.1/10(42312 votes)

    #11 - Chapter Two: Vecna's Curse

    S4:E25/27/2022

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
12. 

    8.1/10(40469 votes)

    #12 - Chapter Five: The Nina Project

    S4:E55/27/2022

    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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    Director:Nimród Antal

    Writer:Kate Trefry
13. 

    8.2/10(40583 votes)

    #13 - Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak

    S2:E210/27/2017

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
14. 

    8.2/10(40075 votes)

    #14 - Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard

    S3:E37/4/2019

    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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    Director:Shawn Levy

    Writer:William Bridges
15. 

    8.3/10(47813 votes)

    #15 - Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

    S1:E27/15/2016

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
16. 

    8.3/10(41206 votes)

    #16 - Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero

    S4:E35/27/2022

    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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    Director:Shawn Levy

    Writer:Caitlin Schneiderhan
17. 

    8.3/10(77407 votes)

    #17 - Chapter Two: The Vanishing of...

    S5:E211/26/2025

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
18. 

    8.5/10(39630 votes)

    #18 - Chapter Three: The Pollywog

    S2:E310/27/2017

    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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    Director:Shawn Levy

    Writer:Justin Doble
19. 

    8.5/10(39581 votes)

    #19 - Chapter Four: Will the Wise

    S2:E410/27/2017

    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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    Director:Shawn Levy

    Writer:Paul Dichter
20. 

    8.5/10(39386 votes)

    #20 - Chapter Five: The Flayed

    S3:E57/4/2019

    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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    Director:Uta Briesewitz

    Writer:Paul Dichter
21. 

    8.5/10(39622 votes)

    #21 - Chapter Six: E Pluribus Unum

    S3:E67/4/2019

    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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    Director:Uta Briesewitz

    Writer:Curtis Gwinn
22. 

    8.5/10(41086 votes)

    #22 - Chapter Six: The Dive

    S4:E65/27/2022

    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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    Director:Nimród Antal

    Writer:Curtis Gwinn
23. 

    8.5/10(77682 votes)

    #23 - Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap

    S5:E311/26/2025

    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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    Director:Frank Darabont

    Writer:Caitlin Schneiderhan
24. 

    8.6/10(57764 votes)

    #24 - Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

    S1:E17/15/2016

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer
25. 

    8.6/10(44302 votes)

    #25 - Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat

    S1:E57/15/2016

    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:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer, Alison Tatlock

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    Directors:Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

    Writers:Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer, Alison Tatlock