Stranger Things season 5 will debut sometime in 2025, and the next outing will need to tie up all the loose ends from previous seasons. There’s a lot to accomplish in just eight episodes, and the stakes are higher than ever with Vecna on the loose and the Upside Down creeping into Hawkins yet again. There are many things that need to happen before Stranger Things ends, and that’s not accounting for all the character arcs the show must complete. After four seasons of adventures, all of them deserve worthy send-offs from the Netflix series’ last season.
Of course, the wait for Stranger Things season 5 has been a lengthy one. Season 4 came out in 2022, and that was also after a three-year break. This means viewers may need a refresher on all the storylines the show needs to wrap up and questions it needs to answer. Even if they don’t have time for a full rewatch of the Netflix series, there are a handful of episodes that will jog their memories ahead of the fifth and final season.
10 “The Vanishing Of Will Byers”
Season 1, Episode 1
Any rewatch of Stranger Things needs to start with the show’s very first episode, “The Vanishing of Will Byers.” This installment sets the stage for everything that follows, introducing the town of Hawkins, the show’s main characters, and the Upside Down. It also features Will’s disappearance, which is pivotal to the entire series — and which could come back in a big way in Stranger Things season 5. It’s clear Will’s connection to the Upside Down will come into play during the final season, and this is where that link comes from.
Those needing a refresher before
Stranger Things
season 5 will benefit from watching this installment, as it’s full of critical details.
This isn’t the only important aspect of the series established in the series premiere. “The Vanishing of Will Byers” also reveals details of Jim Hopper’s backstory and Eleven’s origins, both of which are expanded on later. Those needing a refresher before Stranger Things season 5 will benefit from watching this installment, as it’s full of critical details.
9 “The Upside Down”
Season 1, Episode 8
The title of Stranger Things‘ series finale is “The Rightside Up,” which draws an obvious parallel to season 1’s last episode, “The Upside Down.” That alone is a reason to include Stranger Things season 1, episode 8 in a rewatch. However, there are also more specific details that could come up again later. “The Upside Down” sees Hopper and Joyce venturing to the titular dimension and finding Will, and this could hold clues about why he’s still connected to the place.
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Additionally, “The Upside Down” kicks off Steve Harrington’s redemption arc in earnest, with him learning about the Upside Down and Demogorgons as Jonathan and Nancy attempt to take one down. Mike also admits his feelings for Eleven in the season 1 finale, and those persist throughout the show. Overall, there’s a lot that begins in Stranger Things season 1’s finale. It’s also just an all-around great episode, adding another reason to revisit it before 2025.
8 “MADMAX”
Season 2, Episode 1
Stranger Things season 2 doesn’t surpass the show’s first outing, and it doesn’t really pick up until later on. However, the season 2 premiere is an important addition to the series overall, as it introduces characters like Max Mayfield, Billy Mayfield, Murray Bauman, and Bob Newby. All of these characters are important in later installments during a rewatch, and both Max and Murray will appear in Stranger Things season 5. Despite ending season 4 in a coma, Max may even play a significant role when it comes to defeating Vecna.
Will Byers claims he can feel Vecna’s presence during
Stranger Things
season 4’s finale.
Needless to say, “MADMAX” is worth revisiting just to remind oneself of these characters and their backstories. The Stranger Things season 2 premiere also touches on Will’s lingering connection to the Upside Down, which is certain to be important during the Hawkins gang’s last stand against the dark dimension. This chapter could hold clues about why Will can still feel the Upside Down and Vecna in Stranger Things season 4, and presumably, 5.
7 “The Spy”
Season 2, Episode 6
Speaking of Will’s connection to the Upside Down, perhaps no Stranger Things episode shows the potential consequences of that better than “The Spy.” While Will is no longer possessed by the Mind Flayer, it’s possible Vecna could use his connection to Will or another character to bring about similar destruction. The Mind Flayer spies on the characters through Will and uses their ignorance to his advantage in this installment. It’s worth watching how this plays out again, as something similar could take place in season 5.
It’s the installment that establishes Dustin’s bond with Steve and Nancy’s relationship with Jonathan, two dynamics that continue into the final season.
Stranger Things season 2, episode 6 also shows the tunnels that form beneath Hawkins as a result of the portals to the Upside Down being opened. While Eleven closes the gate between worlds at the end of season 2, the Upside Down clearly bleeds back into Hawkins again at the end of Stranger Things season 4. We could see similar occurrences in the final outing, so “The Spy” is worth revisiting. Plus, it’s the installment that establishes Dustin’s bond with Steve and Nancy’s relationship with Jonathan, two dynamics that continue into the final season.
6 “The Mind Flayer”
Season 2, Episode 8
The final installments of Stranger Things season 2 are crucial rewatches before the last outing, as they’re action-packed, entertaining, and pivotal to the Upside Down storyline. Episode 8, “The Mind Flayer” is certainly worth revisiting in preparation for the show’s last hurrah. After a questionable sibling narrative that takes Eleven to Chicago, “The Mind Flayer” finally reunites her with the Hawkins gang. This includes Max, who fully becomes involved in the supernatural happenings of Hawkins at the end of season 2.
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“The Mind Flayer” shows more of Hawkins Lab, which could prove important to Stranger Things season 5’s Upside Down narrative. It also marks the beginning of Steve as the group’s babysitter, which is sweet and fun to revisit — and sets up his role in the series going forward. Bob’s death also helps establish the stakes of the series, and the emotional impact makes this a roller coaster to rewatch. It’s well worth it, however.
5 “The Gate”
Season 2, Episode 9
Every Stranger Things season finale is worth rewatching ahead of season 5, and that includes season 2’s “The Gate.” This chapter sees Eleven closing the gate to the Upside Down, then getting the go-ahead to live like a normal kid — something Hopper arranges with Dr. Owens. Both of these incidents heavily impact Eleven’s character arc going forward, and the former offers insight into Eleven’s connection to the Upside Down. As she closes the gate, we get scenes of her admitting she opened the gate to the Upside Down and Dr. Brenner claiming it will kill her.
Given all the theories surrounding Eleven’s fate in Stranger Things season 5, her showdown with the gate in season 2 could be incredibly important. It’s possible Brenner’s prediction will come true during the final season, something that would be devastating for the viewers and characters alike. “The Gate” also establishes the depth of Eleven and Hopper’s relationship, and it sets up many of the series’ romances during its final dance scene. It’s an important and satisfying conclusion that’s worth returning to.
4 “The Battle of Starcourt”
Season 3, Episode 8
The Stranger Things season 3 finale, “The Battle of Starcourt,” is one of the series’ best episodes — and it sets up a lot of what unfolds during season 4. While the Mind Flayer doesn’t turn out to be the biggest villain from the Upside Down, the battle against him costs Billy Mayfield his life. This informs Max’s character arc going forward, and Billy isn’t the only loss during “The Battle of Starcourt.” Hopper also appears to die when he and Joyce close the gate to the Upside Down beneath the Starcourt Mall.
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Although Hopper doesn’t actually perish, his being taken captive by Russian soldiers dramatically affects his storyline in season 4, as well as Joyce’s and Eleven’s. Since season 4 is among the most important additions to the show heading into its final episodes, watching the season 3 finale is crucial. It sets up everything well, and developments from “The Battle of Starcourt” seem likely to come up again when Stranger Things season 5 debuts.
3 “Dear Billy”
Season 4, Episode 5
Stranger Things season 4 is probably the most important one to rewatch ahead of the next outing, as it directly leads into the events of season 5. Those who don’t have time to tackle the whole thing should fit at least a few episodes in before season 5. Among them is Stranger Things season 4, episode 5, “Dear Billy,” which focuses heavily on Max. This is because Vecna targets her, and the remaining members of the Hawkins gang do everything in their power to save her.
They actually manage to help her escape the Stranger Things villain — at least temporarily — revealing that music can help his victims break their trance. This is a critical piece of information heading into season 5, as the group will be tasked with facing Vecna once again. It’s possible Max’s run-in with him holds clues about how to defeat him. Rewatching “Dear Billy” ahead of time could prove useful if the final episodes call back to it.
2 “The Massacre At Hawkins Lab”
Season 4, Episode 7
Stranger Things season 4, episode 7, “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab,” contains crucial details about Eleven’s backstory and her history with Vecna. The episode reveals that she and Henry Creel — the boy who becomes the Upside Down’s greatest threat — used to be friends when they were at the Hawkins Lab together. It also shows how Henry killed their siblings, leading him to a face-off with Eleven. They’ll likely have another one in Stranger Things season 5, and this installment proves how personal it really is.
This Upside Down scene raises numerous questions about the dimension bleeding into Hawkins, and they’re worth revisiting before season 5 answers them.
“The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” also reveals intriguing bits of information about the Upside Down, as the older members of the Hawkins gang venture there. Upon going to Nancy’s house in the Upside Down, they realize that the dimension’s iteration of Hawkins is stuck in the past. It could have something to do with Will’s disappearance, as Nancy’s Upside Down journal stops on the day Stranger Things starts. This Upside Down scene raises numerous questions about the dimension bleeding into Hawkins, and they’re worth revisiting before season 5 answers them.
1 “The Piggyback”
Season 4, Episode 9
“The Piggyback” is the final installment of Stranger Things season 4, and it goes without saying that viewers should revisit it before diving into the next chapter. This epic conclusion to the fourth outing will inform much of what happens in season 5. From the Upside Down seeping into Hawkins to Max going into a coma, there are a lot of loose ends that will be tied up in the final eight episodes of the series. This chapter also reveals that Will is still connected to Vecna, and it sees Dustin losing and grieving Eddie Munson.
Although Stranger Things season 5 will kick off with an 18-month time jump, everything that happens in “The Piggyback” gives viewers an idea of where the characters will be when we return to this story. Dustin’s grief is likely to continue into the final season, while Will’s and Eleven’s connections to Vecna will probably come up again. Max not being completely killed off means she still has a role to play, and the Upside Down clearly isn’t done with Hawkins. All that indicates that Stranger Things season 4, episode 9 is the most important installment to prepare for season 5.
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Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King’s works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana.
When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole. -
Stranger Things
The Stranger Things franchise is a cultural phenomenon that blends supernatural horror with nostalgic 1980s references. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the series follows the residents of Hawkins, Indiana, as they face the terrifying realities of a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. Since its debut in 2016, Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s most popular and critically acclaimed series, spawning multiple spin-offs and expansions, including an animated series and a stage play.
