All 4 Seasons Of Stranger Things, Ranked Worst To Best

In 2016, Netflix released one of its biggest properties to date, Stranger Things, and now, with four seasons under its belt and Stranger Things season 5 on the way, it’s important to look back and decide which Stranger Things seasons come out on top and which are arguably the worst. Stranger Things is a sci-fi television series which takes place in the fictional and mysterious Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. The show begins with the sudden disappearance of a young boy named Will and the introduction of a strange young girl simply called Eleven. Overall, the series follows themes of friendship, heroism, and the unexplainable, all set against a vivid 80s backdrop.

While Stranger Things has been lauded for all four of its seasons, there is no doubt that some installments are better than others. This is especially true because of how different each season is in terms of ambiance, plot, and worldbuilding. Although it is exciting to see the world of Stranger Things expand, that doesn’t always mean that newer is better. And furthermore, certain mistakes made in early seasons still haunt the series to this day. Though each viewer has their own opinion on their favorite Stranger Things seasons, this is one version of the Stranger Things seasons ranked worst to best.

4 Stranger Things Season 3 (2019)

Episodes 18-25

Truthfully, it is difficult to call any season of Stranger Things the worst, but in terms of audience and critical reactions, Stranger Things season 3 would have to be at the bottom. The third season was released in July 2019 and imitated the heady ambiance of classic 1980s summer slasher films. This was the first season to introduce a Soviet Russia plot, and also introduced characters like Robin and Erica. Stranger Things season 3 was also bursting with pop culture references and themes, such as the Starcourt Mall. Ultimately, the season ended with Billy Hargrove becoming possessed by the Mind Flayer and wreaking havoc on Hawkins.

Although Stranger Things season 3 offered a more colorful and exciting vibe via its 1980s summer setting, the season still had some problems that made audiences and critics unhappy. Mainly, there were complaints that the season relied too heavily on its 1980s nostalgia, and furthermore, the narrative structure was not as well done as past seasons. Where Stranger Things seasons 1 and 2 were slow burns, carefully crafting the Stranger Things world, season 3 was more frantic and fast-paced. Some appreciated this change of pace, while others thought it was too different from the Stranger Things they loved previously.

3 Stranger Things Season 2 (2017)

Episodes 9-17

Coming in third place is Stranger Things season 2. Premiering only a year after the first season, in 2017, season 2 continued what Stranger Things season 1 started. The series returns to Hawkins one year after Will was rescued from the Upside Down, but unfortunately, not everything is as normal or happy as it seems. Despite Joyce’s sweet new relationship with Bob Newby and the arrival of the cool and mysterious Max Mayfield, Will is still haunted by the Upside Down and everything it holds. Stranger Things season 2 sees the start of Steve and Dustin’s iconic relationship, Nancy and Jonathan’s romance, and the introduction of the Mindflayer.

Overall, Stranger Things season 2 was incredibly well-received, overcoming the typical sophomore season slump that television series often fall into. The season successfully maintained the energy of the first season, while also expanding on the Stranger Things world via new characters, new romances, and new monsters. However, the one big problem that hurt Stranger Things season 2 the most was the Lost Sister plotline. This storyline only ever appeared in season 2 and was disliked by the majority of viewers because of its slow pace and lack of similarity to the rest of the story. Unfortunately, this brings season 2’s success down a notch.

2 Stranger Things Season 4 (2022)

Episodes 26-34

The most recent season of Stranger Things, season 4, is likely the second best season as of now. In this season, the Stranger Things cast is split up, with some characters in Hawkins, some in California, and others in Russia. In Hawkins, a string of mysterious murders are taking place, and Max seems to be at the center of the conflict. Meanwhile, Mike goes to visit Eleven in California, but her past quickly comes back to haunt her. Finally, Joyce travels to Russia to save the once presumed dead Hopper. This season’s highlights include the introduction of fan-favorite Eddie Munson and the series’ biggest villain yet, Vecna.

Ultimately, Stranger Things season 4 was a big success for the series. While it isn’t devoid of flaws, the season was mostly lauded by audiences and critics alike. In particular, viewers were pleased with how the series included lengthier episodes and more mature themes to match the ages of the cast. Furthermore, Stranger Things season 4 had a story that was effective both in bringing the overarching story to a peak, but also in dealing with important themes like grief, trauma, and mental health. In general, Stranger Things season 4 succeeded at setting the stage for the show’s epic conclusion.

1 Stranger Things Season 1 (2016)

Episodes 1-8

While it is hard to judge which Stranger Things seasons are the worst, it is easy to give the top spot to the very first season, Stranger Things season 1. In the first season, audiences meet Mike Wheeler and his nerdy friends, Joyce Byers, who is dedicated to getting her son back, and Eleven, the telepathic young girl who is at the very center of Hawkins’ biggest mysteries. Though this season has the lowest stakes in order to introduce everything, this almost makes it an easier, more entertaining watch. And especially now that three more seasons have come out, Stranger Things season 1 is particularly nostalgic.

Stranger Things season 1 is the best season because it is the hook that captures audiences in the first place. The rest of Stranger Things would not be as popular without this first season, which builds such an interesting and unique world. By combining 1980s nostalgia with scary sci-fi concepts, Stranger Things creates a story that viewers can really sink into. With such dynamic characters and thoughtful storylines, Stranger Things season 1 is what started it all, and for that reason, it deserves the most praise. Undoubtedly, everyone can remember the time in their life when they first started Stranger Things.