10 Best Episodes of Stranger Things So Far, Ranked Over 9.0/10 On IMDb

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The first part of the final season of Stranger Things has been a huge hit with viewers! Four new episodes have earned ratings of 9.0 or higher on IMDb, with one episode becoming the highest-rated in the entire series. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the final four episodes on December 25th, 2025, and New Year’s Eve.

As a huge fan, I’ve been totally hooked on Stranger Things for five seasons now, and it’s all been building to this massive showdown between the people of Hawkins and this seriously creepy villain, Vecna – who, mind blown, was originally Henry Creel! For nearly ten years, we’ve seen Hawkins constantly under attack from the Upside Down and all its monsters, and honestly, it’s given us some of the most dramatic, intense, funny, and just plain amazing moments I’ve ever seen on TV. It’s no surprise the show’s so popular – ten episodes have actually scored over 9.0 on IMDb, one from each season, which is pretty incredible!

10) “Chapter Seven: The Bathtub” — Season 1, Episode 7 (9.0/10)

With a score of 9.0 out of 10 from over 31,000 viewers, the second-to-last episode of Stranger Things season 1, titled “The Bathtub,” brought together many of the season’s separate storylines, leading directly into the finale. The episode features a memorable scene where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) uses her powers to flip a van as she and her friends escape from Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine). It also solidified the strong bond between Eleven and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), a relationship that continues throughout the series. Filled with suspense, emotional moments, and relief as Eleven locates Barb (Shannon Purser) and Will (Noah Schnapp) in the Upside Down, “The Bathtub” is a truly excellent episode.

9) “Chapter Six: The Spy” — Season 2, Episode 6 (9.1/10)

Season 2, episode 6 of Stranger Things, titled “The Spy,” could be a crucial turning point as the show approaches its conclusion. The episode revealed that Will was unknowingly acting as a kind of scout for Vecna (who wasn’t identified yet), a result of being exposed to particles from the Mind Flayer when he was trapped in the Upside Down. It also marked the beginning of the beloved duo of Dustin and Steve, showed a funny development in Nancy and Jonathan’s relationship, and included a thrilling scene with the Demodogs. With its strong writing, great acting, and genuinely scary moments, “The Spy” really showcases what makes Stranger Things so effective at telling stories.

8) “Chapter Nine: The Piggyback” — Season 4, Episode 9 (9.1/10)

The finale of Stranger Things season 4, titled “The Piggyback,” received a strong 9.1 out of 10 rating from over 43,000 viewers, surpassing the 29,000 ratings for the previous episode, “The Spy.” This episode was a major event for the series, featuring Eleven regaining her powers and battling Vecna, Hopper’s return from Russia, Vecna’s attempt to destroy Hawkins (even after briefly killing Max), and a final stand from the Hawkins team. It significantly expanded the show’s overall story and expertly prepared viewers for the fifth and final season, as the boundary between the real world and the Upside Down began to break down.

7) “Chapter Eight: The Mind Flayer” — Season 2, Episode 8 (9.2/10)

The eighth episode of Stranger Things season 2, “The Mind Flayer,” earned a 9.2/10 rating on IMDb with over 31,000 votes, making it the second highest-rated episode of the season. The episode focused on the group’s desperate attempt to save Will from the Mind Flayer, but tragically resulted in the death of Bob (Sean Astin). The emotional impact was heightened by Joyce, Jonathan, and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) using memories to try and reach Will, following Bob’s heartbreaking demise. This episode also saw Eleven return after a period away. Filled with intense drama, emotional moments, and a heroic sacrifice, “The Mind Flayer” remains one of the most memorable episodes of Stranger Things.

6) “Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt” — Season 3, Episode 8 (9.2/10)

Each season finale of Stranger Things has consistently ranked among the show’s highest-rated episodes, including season 3’s “The Battle of Starcourt.” In that episode, the team made a desperate last stand against the terrifying physical form of the Mind Flayer – a creature built from the remains of rats and people from Hawkins. While Joyce, Hopper, and Murray battled Russians, the heroes at the mall received help from Billy, who bravely sacrificed himself to save his sister and her friends. Eleven lost her powers, Hopper appeared to die, and the Mind Flayer seemed to be defeated, but the story of Stranger Things wasn’t over yet.

5) “Chapter Nine: The Gate” — Season 2, Episode 9 (9.3/10)

The season 2 finale of Stranger Things, titled “The Gate,” received a very high rating of 9.3/10 on IMDb with over 34,000 votes – even more than the season 3 finale. In the episode, Joyce, Jonathan, and Nancy successfully remove the Mind Flayer’s influence from Will, which allows the group to destroy the tunnels connecting Hawkins to the Upside Down. This also helps Eleven strengthen her abilities and close the gate to that alternate dimension. The finale concluded with a touching scene at the school dance, but ended on a suspenseful note, suggesting the Mind Flayer is still out there, setting the stage for future storylines in Stranger Things seasons 4 and beyond. Thanks to its high quality production, strong emotional moments, and overall successful storyline, “The Gate” remains a standout episode of the series.

4) “Chapter Eight: The Upside Down” — Season 1, Episode 8 (9.3/10)

As I revisited the earlier seasons of Stranger Things after finishing season 4, I was struck by how strong the season 1 finale, “The Upside Down,” still is. I’d give it a solid 9.3 out of 10, and it’s clear over 36,000 viewers agree. This is where everything really kicked into high gear: we finally saw Will rescued from that terrifying alternate dimension, and it’s where Steve truly stepped up as a hero alongside Nancy and Jonathan. Plus, Eleven really came into her own, unleashing the power she needed to take down the Demogorgon and save her friends. The episode left us with a lot of questions, particularly about where Eleven went afterward – something I’m hoping season 5 will finally answer. And, crucially, it hinted at a much deeper connection between Will and the Upside Down, a thread that I believe will be central to the show’s ultimate conclusion. It’s clear now that this episode laid a lot of groundwork for what’s to come.

3) “Chapter Four: Dear Billy” — Season 4, Episode 4 (9.5/10)

The fourth season episode of Stranger Things, titled “Dear Billy,” quickly became a fan and critical favorite. It’s especially remembered for powerfully featuring Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill,” bringing the song back into popularity and providing Sadie Sink with a standout performance. The episode also included a guest appearance by horror icon Robert Englund and earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many consider “Dear Billy” to be one of the best TV episodes of 2022, and even one of the greatest of all time, surpassed within Stranger Things only by two other episodes.

2) “Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” — Season 4, Episode 7 (9.6/10)

For most of Stranger Things season 4, viewers thought Eleven was responsible for the deaths of the other children experimented on at Hawkins Lab. However, episode 7, “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab,” revealed that it was actually Henry Creel – later known as Vecna – who committed those murders, and Eleven simply banished him to the Upside Down. This long episode also explained the origins of the Upside Down, Hopper’s experiences in Russia, Henry Creel’s backstory, and Dr. Brenner’s real motives, significantly changing the direction of the show. While “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” was a dramatic conclusion to the first part of season 4, the first volume of season 5’s finale still received higher ratings.

1) “Chapter Four: Sorcerer” — Season 5, Episode 4 (9.7/10)

I was so excited when the first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 dropped on November 26, 2025! The finale of that first part, “Sorcerer,” was incredible – seriously, it’s already the best episode of the whole series, scoring a 9.7/10 with over 47,000 ratings! It brought Vecna back into the mix, right in the middle of a Demogorgon attack, and we started to see his plan to take the kids of Hawkins unfold. It was great to see Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) return after being in the least popular episode, and I’m hoping she’ll have a bigger role going forward. We finally learned where Max and Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) were hiding, but the real standout moment for me was Will discovering his own psychic abilities by tapping into Vecna’s hive mind! He used them to destroy three Demogorgons and save everyone, and it was honestly such a powerful and emotional scene. I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see how all of this sets up the final four episodes of Stranger Things!

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2025-12-08 16:43