Nearly ten years after it first premiered on Netflix, Stranger Things is racing toward its epic conclusion. The highly anticipated fifth season will release its first four episodes on November 26, followed by the next three on Christmas Day, and the grand finale on New Year’s Eve. In her cover story for British Vogue’s December 2025 issue, Millie Bobby Brown shared that she started crying just 20 pages into reading the final script. She and her castmates then “all huddled and cried for five minutes straight.”

Before we get there—and since it’s been a staggering three years since our last visit to Hawkins—a quick refresher is in order. If you don’t have time for a full rewatch, here are five unforgettable episodes to stream now—one from each season, including where it all began.

“Dear Billy” (Season 4, Episode 4)
Stranger Things always delivers with its grand finales and jaw-dropping penultimate episodes, but this mid-season standout is truly one of a kind—especially because its impact caught us off guard. In this episode, Jonathan, Mike, and Will get caught in a shootout at home; Nancy and Robin interview a tormented Victor Creel; and Max, played by Sadie Sink, is brought back with the help of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” which shot to number one on the charts soon after. It’s heartbreaking, terrifying, and ultimately life-affirming. Just thinking about it gives me chills.

“The Battle of Starcourt” (Season 3, Episode 8)
The neon-lit mall at the heart of Season 3 sets the stage for an intense showdown in this gripping finale. With the Mind Flayer stalking the halls like the T. rex in Jurassic Park and Eleven left powerless, things look bleak. But the gang fights back with a stash of fireworks, and Billy, played by Dacre Montgomery, makes a tear-jerking sacrifice. The emotional moments are handled brilliantly—is Hopper really dead?!—but it’s the stunning visuals that keep me coming back, including incredible special effects best seen on the biggest screen possible.

“The Mind Flayer” (Season 2, Episode 8)
This penultimate episode of Season 2 kicks off with a possessed Will and a gruesome Demodog attack in the lab, and the tension never lets up. The brutal death of Bob, played by Sean Astin, witnessed by a screaming Joyce (Winona Ryder), is truly horrifying. After that, our heroes confront their enemy and communicate with Will using Morse code. In the final seconds, a Demodog corpse crashes through the Byers’ window, and the front door swings open to reveal Eleven, nose bleeding. Chilling.

“The Bathtub” (Season 1, Episode 7)
While the Season 1 finale, “The Upside Down,” is excellent—featuring Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve setting the Demogorgon on fire amid twinkling fairy lights, Hopper and Joyce venturing into the Upside Down, and Eleven destroying her enemy—don’t overlook the episode just before it. In “The Bathtub,” the kids go on the run with Eleven, and using a makeshift sensory deprivation tank, she discovers what happened to both Barb and Will. It opens with one of the most heart-pounding moments of the entire series: as Dr. Brenner and his crew chase Eleven and Mike, she flips their van into the air, sending it crashing to the ground just before the opening credits roll. Talk about a power move.

“The Vanishing of Will Byers” (Season 1, Episode 1)
To understand how this sci-fi giant became the cultural phenomenon it is today, look no further than the very first episode.From the very first scene, which feels like classic Spielberg, to the confident acting by the talented young cast, the unsettling disappearance of Will, and the arrival of our beloved telekinetic runaway—this show pulls you in completely. With its gripping story, rich world-building, and plenty of heart-pounding suspense, it instantly takes you back to 1980s Indiana. I can’t understand how anyone could watch this and not be eager to binge the next four seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a helpful and clear FAQ about the top Stranger Things episodes to revisit before the final season

Top Stranger Things Episodes to Revisit FAQs

Beginner General Questions

Q1 Why should I rewatch specific episodes before the final season
A Rewatching key episodes helps refresh your memory on the most important plot points character relationships and unresolved mysteries making the final seasons story more impactful and easier to follow

Q2 Do I need to rewatch the entire series
A No you dont have to Rewatching a few select episodes is a great way to get caught up without the time commitment of a full series rewatch

Q3 What are the top five episodes I should watch
A While lists can vary most fans and experts recommend these five for their major plot and character developments
1 S1E3 Chapter Three Holly Jolly
2 S1E6 Chapter Six The Monster
3 S2E8 Chapter Eight The Mind Flayer
4 S3E4 Chapter Four The Sauna Test
5 S4E7 Chapter Seven The Massacre at Hawkins Lab

Q4 What is the main thing I should pay attention to in these episodes
A Focus on the origins and motivations of the main villains the establishment of Elevens powers and the core bonds between the original group of friends

Advanced Detailed Questions

Q5 Why is the season 2 episode The Mind Flayer so crucial
A This episode formally introduces the shows overarching villain the Mind Flayer It establishes the hivemind concept and shows that the threat is far bigger than a single monster setting the stage for all future conflicts