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Stranger Things Season 1, created by Matt and Ross Duffer—known as the Duffer Brothers—premiered on Netflix in July 2016 and quickly became a global sensation. Set in the 1980s in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, the story begins with the mysterious disappearance of a young boy named Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp). As his friends—Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo)—search for him, they encounter a strange girl with telekinetic powers known only as Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Meanwhile, Will’s mother Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) and Police Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) uncover a government conspiracy linked to a secretive laboratory and a terrifying alternate dimension called the Upside Down.
The show’s instant popularity stemmed from its nostalgic homage to 1980s pop culture, blending elements of classic sci-fi, horror, and coming-of-age adventure. Audiences and critics praised the Duffer Brothers for their masterful storytelling, atmospheric world-building, and heartfelt character development. The chemistry among the young cast, particularly Millie Bobby Brown’s breakout performance as Eleven, captured viewers worldwide. Combined with a synth-heavy soundtrack, cinematic visuals, and references to icons like E.T., The Goonies, and the novels of Stephen King, Stranger Things Season 1 became a cultural phenomenon almost overnight, cementing Netflix’s reputation as a leader in original content.
Here are our rankings for the episodes in the first season.
8. Chapter 2: The Weirdo On Maple Street
7. Chapter 1: The Vanishing Of Will Byers
6. Chapter 5: The Acrobat And The Flea
5. Chapter 6: The Monster
4. Chapter 3: Holly Jolly
3. Chapter 4: The Body
2. Chapter 7: The Bathtub
1. Chapter 8: The Upside Down
What’s your rankings for the episodes? Comment below.