When it first dropped as an original Netflix series in 2016, Stranger Things became an instant classic.
Chock-full of fun 80’s references, loveable characters, and a gripping sci-fi plot filled with monsters and secret experiments, this little gem of a show has been delivering thrills for four whole seasons.
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As you eagerly wait for season five, (which should happen sometime in 2024 if the Gods of streaming are kind to us), you can enjoy a list of the best moments so far.
To refresh your memories of the Upside Down, here are the 32 best Stranger Things scenes – in Tell Tales’ humble opinion.
Spoiler alert, obviously.
1. Dungeons & Dragons
Season 1, The Vanishing of Will Byers
The show introduces us to Will and his friends in the best possible way, almost foreshadowing what’s to come in this fantasy-filled show. Showing us what a nerdy bunch they are, the kiddos play Dungeons & Dragons in a dark basem*nt like most boys their age did in the 1980s.
Will, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin all share a love of the famous role-playing game and routinely escape their ordinary little town by diving into its exciting and dangerous fantasy world. Until of course, one of them is kidnapped by a real-life monster and their childhood becomes one terrifyingly authentic D&D game for the next four years. Childhood goals.
2. Barb Dies
Season 1, Holly, Jolly
Most fans will agree that Barbara is one of the most underrated, neglected and iconic characters on Stranger Things, and the devastating way she meets her end only makes this statement truer.
After getting dragged to a party she didn’t want to go to, Barb ends up being sucked into the Upside Down by the Demogorgon, while Nancy and Steve have a romantic moment upstairs. She’s later found dead in the beast’s ‘fridge’, while Hopper and the team are looking for Will.
3. Eleven Loves Eggos
Season 1, The Monster
Starving and exhausted after escaping the laboratory she was raised in, Eleven celebrates her first steps in the outside world by stealing some Eggos in plain sight.
Using her powers to make the automatic doors shatter and prevent the staff from running after her, we’d advise against doing the same thing if you ever get hungry yourself. But if this isn’t the most badass way to take advantage of your telekinetic abilities, we don’t know what is.
4. Eleven Beats the Bullies
Season 1, The Monster
As two kids make fun of Will at school, several days after the latter disappeared, Mike understandably loses his temper and shoves one of them to the ground. Just as he’s about to fight back, the bully freezes and realizes he’s peeing himself.
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All the other kids burst out laughing as he stands there, embarrassed beyond words, and Mike realizes Eleven has discreetly used her powers to make this happen. Proud of herself, she wipes her bloody nose and they exchange a smile. A scene so memorable, we wouldn’t be surprised if this kid never bullied anyone again and became a saint.
5. Sensory Deprivation Tank
Season 1, The Bathtub
An iconic Stranger Things moment and one that’s scary enough to make you go cold. As they try to locate Will, the gang reproduces a sensory deprivation tank which could help Eleven find him.
It doesn’t get much more spooky and exciting than seeing Eleven anxiously wander in the dark, terrified of what she might come across, then finally find Will in the Upside Down. If only we could locate our lost socks that way…
6. Ghostbusters Unite
Season 2, Trick or Treat, Freak
In a TV show as action-packed and frightening as Stranger Things, having moments of joy is also important, and season 2 certainly delivered. As Will and his friends prepare for Halloween, we are given an adorable and hilarious montage of them being photographed in their Ghostbusters costumes.
This is obviously some hefty foreshadowing for the actual hunting they will have to do later on. Even more hilarious – they arrive at school only to realize no one else is dressed up. Ouch.
7. Steve’s Advice
Season 2, The Spy
Steve and Dustin were certainly the most unlikely pairing of season 2, but we’re glad the showrunners turned them into the hilarious monster-hunting duo we now know and love.
This adorable and funny scene sees them walk along railroad tracks, while Steve gives Dustin advice on how to have fabulous hair like him. It happens very early on in their friendship, but these few minutes of comedic chemistry make it clear they are meant to be friends for life.
8. Jonathan and Nancy Kiss
Season 2, The Spy
Taunted by the conspiracy theorist Murray Bauman while they are spending the night at his place, Jonathan and Nancy suddenly have to face their obvious romantic chemistry when he mocks them for clearly being in denial.
Embarrassed and confused by his remarks, the teens pace around all evening… and end up listening to Murray’s advice by finally smooching. For many fans who shipped the two since day one, this scene was worthy of applause. For those who preferred Nancy with Steve, however…
9. Max Stands Up To Billy
Season 2, The Gate
After years of being insulted and bossed around by her older brother, the intimidating and self-involved Billy, Max finally stands up to him as he savagely beats up Steve, by planting a syringe into his neck which instantly puts him to sleep.
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As he begins to zone out, she picks up Steve’s nail-bat and makes him swear that he’ll stop bothering her and her friends. Terrified, Billy says yes and passes out. Iconic is one word for it.
10. Eleven Closes the Gate
Season 2, The Gate
Although Eleven’s powers have always been badass, watching her use them against monsters 80 times her size is always impressive. The Mind Flayer might be a powerful baddie, but Eleven still manages to unleash her telekinetic gift to close the interdimensional gate it’s about to cross – a cool move which also kills all the creatures it was controlling in Hawkins.
Props to Millie Bobby Brown, who was acting in front of a green screen, but still managed to make this scene a sci-fi masterpiece.
11. Steve and Dustin’s Handshake
Season 3, Suzie, Do You Copy?
After seeing them hunt monsters together in season 2, the evolution of Steve and Dustin’s friendship was one of the most anticipated aspects of season 3, and the showrunners did not disappoint.
In this first episode, Steve is working at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream shop when Dustin comes in and the two engage in an overly complex but oh-so heartwarming handshake. It causes Steve’s colleague Robin to hilariously ask him in utter confusion – “How many children are you friends with?”
12. The Kids Go to the Mall
Season 3, The Mall Rats
Stranger Things wouldn’t honor the 80s properly if it didn’t have at least one big mall scene. The Duffer Brothers were clearly aware of that, as this colorful building was almost a character in its own right for the entire third season.
In true Breakfast Club-ish fashion, we are introduced to the chaotic Hawkins mall with a fun montage that shows Eleven and Max giving themselves a makeover, while Mike and his friends get extremely confused by a lingerie shop. Ah, being a teenager.
13. Dustin & Suzie’s Musical Moment
Season 3, The Battle of Starcourt
Nothing says ‘let’s save our friends and the world from impending doom’ like having a musical duet with your summer camp girlfriend over the phone, right?
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Dustin calls his beloved to ask how to improve their little Armageddon situation, but she refuses to give him the answer right away and forces him to…sing A Never Ending Story with her. A scene that will go down in history as being altogether extremely confusing, adorable, and unbearably funny.
14. Billy’s Sacrifice
Season 3, The Battle of Starcourt
We’ll be honest, Billy didn’t do much to redeem himself in the episodes leading up to the season 3 finale. That being said, he was still just a teen possessed by the Mind Flayer, so it’s not like he had time to show that he could change for the better. His final moments, at least, make it clear that he was not entirely cruel, and could have been a good person if he tried.
As the battle against the Mind Flayer unfolds in Hawkins’ mall, Billy protects Eleven by standing up and facing the monster, only to be impaled in front of his sister and her friends. He then dies in Max’s arms, telling her “I’m sorry”. We’re not crying, we just have a demogorgon in our eye.
15. Hopper’s Letter
Season 3, The Battle of Starcourt
After Hopper ‘died’ to save everyone whilst re-closing the gate and pushing the Mind Flayer back into its dimension, the Byers finally decide to leave Hawkins. As the family (and Eleven) packs up, Joyce gives El a letter that Hopper wrote as a speech regarding her relationship with Mike.
This ‘heart to heart’ ends up being twice as emotional for Eleven, as she knows she’ll never see him again. One part of it reads “And then I left some Eggos out in the woods and you came into my life. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel things again.” Just enough to make us weep continuously until season 4 comes out.
16. Chrissy’s Death
Season 4, The Hellfire Club
Just as we started to ship Chrissy and Eddie’s relationship at the start of season 4, Vecna killed the cheerleader off and lost all our hope. As heartbreaking as it was, though, Chrissy’s death was a delight to watch (you know what we mean).
In true horror movie style, we see the young girl get caught in Vecna’s trance and have her bones snapped and eyes sucked out. From the demented vision of her parents to seeing her broken body stuck on Eddie’s ceiling, it’s safe to say our ‘first time’ witnessing Vecna’s true powers this season is a haunting memory that will stay with us forever.
17. Eleven vs. Angela
Season 4, The Monster and the Superhero
Angela makes us madder than any Mind Flayer has. She is an A-class bully, who, let’s admit, really deserved what was coming to her. The scene that saw Eleven finally get her revenge on her classroom bully may have eventually put her in the wrong hands (Dr. Brenner), but needless to say, seeing her attack and ambush Angela with that rollar-blade deserved a round of applause.
Powers or no powers, Eleven’s gonna take you down! With the way Angela taunted El, that broken nose was long overdue. You’re gonna need a lot of tissues for that graze, honey!
18. Max Running Up That Hill
Season 4, Dear Billy
In what was the second highest-rated episode of season 4, Max manages to outlive Vecna, and the gang learn how to overcome his gruesome attacks. Turns out, music does the trick. And in true Stranger Things style, it’s classic, 80’s music.
Indeed, Max gets pulled into the Upside Down with Vecna and the only way out, as the kids discover, is by listening to music. In Max’s case – Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill. Just as she’s about to meet her doom, Max hears the song and relives memories with her friends before running for her life and escaping Vecna’s wrath.
19. Suzie’s Mad House
Season 4, The Dive
A random moment in Stranger Things, but entertaining, nonetheless. If there’s anything we’ve learned from this memorable scene, it’s that Suzie’s family is downright bonkers. When Mike, Will and co. visit Dustin’s girlfriend to track down the location of the Nina Project, they’re faced with the crazy shenanigans of her siblings.
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One is a wild child with a bow and arrow, the other is filming a fake death, two other kiddos are playing dress-up, and a so-called ‘Eden’ is a junkie. It’s basically a living situation that will make you willingly commit yourself into Brenner’s facility. There’s chaos, there’s clutter and complete craziness. But it’s what makes the entire montage hilarious to say the least.
20. Demogorgon and the Russians
Season 4, The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
This scene was pretty epic in our eyes. Hopper (or shall we say ‘Americuun’) and his fellow Russian prisoners are forced to fight for their lives against the horrifying Demogorgon.
It’s a heart-racing moment as we hear the monster banging and bellowing behind the door, only to eventually massacre all the prisoners but Hopper and Enzo. Joyce and Murray watch over the battle in fear and of course, Hopper manages to beat the beast with fire and the pair are set free.
21. A Fight in the Upside Down
Season 4, The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
One of the best battle scenes in Stranger Things, hands-down! Things are dark, things are hazy and things are a fiery red as Steve, Nancy, Robin and Eddie fight off Demobats in the Upside Down. Those winged devilish bats are terrifying and boy, can they bite.
The kids battle the feral creatures, proving themselves the ultimate Demobat slayers, but things end nasty as (shirtless *swoon*) Steve is wounded, but eventually treated by Nance (who’s totally crushing on him right now).
22. Dustin Finds the Gate
Season 4, The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
Ah, Dustin, being Dustin. The kiddo proves himself the ultimate hero once more in this moment, as he figures out a way to save Steve, Nancy, Robin and Eddie from the Upside Down. Opening up the gate where Chrissy’s death took place, Dustin, Max, Lucas and Erica help their friends make their way back to the normal world, by flickering the lights and testing gravity.
It was cool seeing the gang communicate through a Lite Brite (so 80s!) and ‘fall’ through the gate, but unfortunately, that ended with Nancy landing in Vecna’s clutches. Which brings us to the next best scene…
23. Eleven vs. One
Season 4, The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
Voldemort and Harry Potter’s duel has nothing on this fight! Eleven and One go one on one in an epic duel at Hawkin’s Lab, right as we learn the truth and backstory behind the mighty Vecna. It’s a momentous scene which sees the most powerful of Papa’s kids fight it out using their telekinetic powers.
Just when we think Eleven has been overpowered, she regains her strength and defeats One, sending him into a cosmic void to the Upside Down, where he eventually gains his new identity as the menacing Vecna…
24. Dustin Playfights Eddie
Season 4, Papa
Brotherly love at its finest. Just when we thought Dustin and Steve had the best bromance on the show, Eddie comes along and steals Mr. Henderson right out of Steve’s arms. This tender moment in Stranger Things 4 wasn’t just sweet to watch, it also had us sobbing. Simply because it was obvious these were Eddie’s last moments with his buddy…and he very much knew it.
“Never change, Dustin Henderson”. The truest words ever said. #CriesInPillow
25. Papa’s Death
Season 4, Papa
Okay, it’s never nice seeing someone die, but you’ve gotta admit – seeing Dr. Brenner dying was one of the best moments on Stranger Things. I mean, the guy was a douchebag…a nasty villain…and pretty much the root of all evil – literally.
He may have tried to escape with Eleven in his clutches, but the military got him first with a few fatal shots. As strange as it was, we kinda even felt sorry for him when Eleven said her goodbyes.
26. Eleven Takes Down the Helicopter
Season 4, Papa
Another mind-blowing and gripping scene in Stranger Things. The penultimate episode of Chapter 4 brought us this powerful moment which saw Eleven bring the military’s helicopter down to the ground.
Using her superpowers in efforts to escape their gunshots, El mustered all her energy to crash the helicopter to the ground with her bare hands. After all her suffering, it was superb seeing her with her powers again. Slay, queen!
27. Eddie Plays His Guitar
Season 4, The Piggyback
Eddie and his guitar is all we needed to make us smile this season. When tasked to distract the Demobats in the Upside Down, Eddie takes hold of his instrument and plays to his heart’s content on a rooftop. “This is for you, Chrissy”, he says before shredding on the guitar.
With a red lightning storm behind him and a swarm of bats encircling him, this is truly what bravery looks like. The guy played Metallica as his last solo ever. Eddie should be proud.
28. Eleven Fights Vecna
Season 4, The Piggyback
Hands down, the best Stranger Things fight scene ever. El comes face to face with Henry once more, but this time, he is in Vecna form, yet she’s the most confident she’s ever been. Eleven saves Max from the monster’s grasp, and almost takes Vecna out, before he finally has her tied up in his tentacles.
From seeing their head and hand powers to them floating and spider tentacles unlatching, watching these two battle it out was nothing short of epic.
29. Vecna Creates the Mind Flayer
Season 4, The Piggyback
From Will’s strange sensation in his neck to the menacing Mind Flayer that haunted Hawkins, it was Vecna all along. That’s what we pretty much learned from this particular scene, which gave a bit more background to the baddie’s story.
Seeing Vecna create the Mind Flayer was fascinating to watch, but it was also a stunning piece of art to witness. It’s not everyday we get to see a disheveled burnt dude create a gigantic spider in another dimension, right?
30. Mike Tells El He Loves Her
Season 4, The Piggyback
I’m not crying, you are…this scene was yet another tearjerker and one that reminded us how much we love these characters and their special bonds.
Mike finally tells Eleven he loves her when she needs it the most. Right when Vecna’s about to kill El, her boyfriend does all that he can to motivate her and fight on with a powerful speech about the love and admiration he has for her. In fact, if it weren’t for Mike’s sweet words, Eleven probably would’ve died.
31. Eddie’s Death
Season 4, The Piggyback
Eddie…the true hero of the show. He may have had a brief role, but his character really got our hearts. As terrified as he was to fight in the Upside Down, the iconic dude fought with all his might and bravely chose to risk his life for the sake of Hakwins and his friends.
It broke our hearts seeing Eddie fall, and Dustin’s tears completely destroyed us. But at least we know he ‘didn’t run away’ this time. Long live Eddie Munson.
32. El and Hopper Reunite
Season 4, The Piggyback
Although not as action-packed as the rest of the season 4 finale, this scene is still ranked as one of our favorites. After a long and hard battle fighting the world’s nastiest villain and missing her dad, Eleven finally reunites with Hopper.
From the “I kept the door open three inches cause I never stopped believing” to their passionate father-and-daughter hug, this emotional moment gave us all the feels. Happy ones, for once! A sensational end to season 4. Here’s to hoping Chapter 5 comes soon!
Here you have it, the best Stranger Things scenes so far! We don’t doubt for one second that the next season will make this list even longer and we can’t wait to see what otherworldly threat Eleven and her friends will have to face next.
One thing is certain – they’ve had enough training by now to defeat Godzilla itself.
As always, let us know in the comments what your best Stranger Things moment(s) is, and if we forgot any other epic scenes that you can’t get enough of.
Originally published in June 2021.
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