10 Best Stranger Things Episodes to Rewatch Before Season 5 (& Why Each Is Important)

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The first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 premiere on Netflix November 26th. Since the last season came out over three years ago, you might want to remember what happened! It’s a good idea to rewatch Season 4, and even the earlier seasons, to refresh your memory. Key events like Will Byers’ disappearance, his return, and the Mind Flayer’s attacks on Hawkins will all be important. This final season needs to wrap up all the storylines, so a refresher will help you understand everything.

With the final season premiering soon, it’s probably too late to rewatch the entire Netflix series. But if you want to refresh your memory, focus on the episodes that will likely be most relevant to the final battle against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and the Upside Down. While each season introduces new challenges, the show often hints at future events. So, revisiting those key episodes will probably give you the best understanding of what’s to come in Season 5.

10) Season 1, Episode 1, “The Vanishing of Will Byers”

As Stranger Things heads towards its conclusion in Season 5, it’s a great time to revisit the very beginning: the first episode, “The Vanishing of Will Byers.” Will’s disappearance kicks off the entire story, and the opening scene of Season 5 shows how important he is to Vecna’s plans. Pay close attention to that moment when you rewatch it! It seems history is repeating itself, as one episode in Season 5 is titled “The Vanishing of [Redacted].” Even seemingly small details, like the group’s Dungeons & Dragons game, might hold clues to how everything ends, making a rewatch of the premiere especially worthwhile.

9) Season 1, Episode 5, “The Flea and the Acrobat”

In Stranger Things Season 1, Episode 5, ‘The Flea and the Acrobat,’ we start to understand the Upside Down, explained through a science lesson by Mr. Clarke, who doesn’t realize what he’s actually describing. His demonstration of parallel dimensions is a helpful visual for understanding the concept. He also explains what would happen if a gateway between worlds existed. Beyond revealing this important backstory, the episode gives us more information about Hawkins Lab and Eleven’s history, and Nancy ventures into the Upside Down. It’s a crucial episode that sets up a lot of what follows.

8) Season 1, Episode 8, “The Upside Down”

The finale of Stranger Things Season 1 is packed with action and definitely worth another watch. Beyond just being entertaining, the ending also has important implications for the rest of the series. Eleven manages to close the gate to the Upside Down, but its eventual reopening raises questions about what really caused it – and could hint at a future sacrifice from her. Plus, the rescue of Will by Hopper and Joyce, which seemed like a victory at the time, is revealed in Season 5 to have actually helped Vecna. This completely changes how we look at that ending.

7) Season 2, Episode 4, “Will the Wise”

In Stranger Things, Will Byers continues to be affected by his connection to the Upside Down, even after Season 2 and into Season 4. While the influence isn’t as strong now, the show highlights how deeply the Upside Down has impacted him, both mentally and because of the hive mind. As the series revisits this storyline, it’s a good time to remember the episode “Will the Wise,” which really shows the extent of this connection. Additionally, an explanation from Sam Owens about why the government wants to keep the Upside Down secret hints at events in Season 3 and potentially connects to the military involvement we see in Season 5.

6) Season 2, Episode 6, “The Spy”

Episode 6 of Stranger Things Season 2 is particularly scary, focusing on the consequences of Will’s return from the Upside Down. Titled “The Spy,” the episode shows the Mind Flayer using its link to Will to get into Hawkins Lab and attack anyone who gets in its way. We also learn that if you hurt one of the Mind Flayer’s creatures, you hurt them all. These details are probably important for Season 5, as Will is still dealing with the trauma of his time in the Upside Down. He might even have to make a big sacrifice, or use his connection to the Upside Down, to defeat Vecna. This episode sets up that possibility. It also strengthens the beloved friendship between Steve and Dustin, a relationship that could be heartbreaking in the final season. Hopefully, that won’t happen!

5) Season 2, Episode 9, “The Gate”

As a longtime viewer, I’ve noticed a pattern in Stranger Things: they keep closing the gate to the Upside Down, but it never stays closed. Season 2’s finale is a prime example – Eleven manages to seal it again, and Joyce and Jonathan work to free Will from the Mind Flayer’s control. But we know that doesn’t last, and Season 5 clearly needs to find a more permanent solution. Beyond the plot, this finale is important for the show’s relationships. Revisiting it now gives those moments – and the fates of the characters – a lot more emotional weight. And then there’s Dart, Dustin’s little Demodog. His reaction to seeing other creatures from the Upside Down really made me wonder: could understanding, or even accepting, that dimension be the key to actually defeating it?

4) Season 3, Episode 8, “The Battle of Starcourt”

Season 3 of Stranger Things feels a bit separate from the main storyline compared to the other seasons. Because of this, you might be able to quickly review it and then jump straight to the finale. “The Battle of Starcourt” is a really strong ending, and it includes some hints about what might happen in Season 5. For example, Joyce and Hopper shut down the Russian machine that was opening the gate to the Upside Down, showing there are other ways to open and close it besides using Eleven. This knowledge could be useful later on. Also, Max’s grief over Billy’s death and Eleven losing her powers are both important plot points that could reappear before the series ends.

3) Season 4, Episode 4, “Dear Billy”

In Season 4 of Stranger Things, Vecna harms many people, but viewers are especially concerned about Max (Sadie Sink) when she becomes a target. A major focus of Episode 4, “Dear Billy,” is the group’s effort to save her, and they discover something important: playing music can temporarily protect someone from Vecna’s attacks, which might be key to defeating him in Season 5. The episode also follows Nancy and Robin (Maya Hawke) as they investigate Victor Creel (Robert Englund) and learn about his family’s tragic past. Understanding Vecna’s history through Creel’s story could be crucial in the final showdown.

2) Season 4, Episode 7, “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”

As we head into the final season of Stranger Things, the main goal is to defeat Vecna, and knowing his history is key to doing so. That’s why it’s essential to rewatch the Season 4 episode “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab.” This episode reveals Vecna’s true identity and shows how he tried to manipulate Eleven while harming their fellow test subjects. It explains his origins and what drives him to cause destruction. The initial fight between him and Eleven also foreshadows their later battles, including the one we’ll see in Season 5. Additionally, the group’s journey to the Upside Down shows us that this alternate dimension is frozen in time, specifically at the moment Will Byers disappeared.

1) Season 4, Episode 9, “The Piggyback”

The finale of Stranger Things Season 4 sets up several key plot points for Season 5, making a rewatch worthwhile. While Eleven’s battle with Vecna and the Upside Down’s impact on Hawkins are central, other details—like what happens with Max after Eleven revives her, Will’s unsettling premonitions, and the aftermath of Eddie’s death—will likely be important to the show’s ending. Pay close attention during your rewatch, as the finale, “The Piggyback,” may hint at future events.

Which episode of Stranger Things are you most excited to rewatch before the final season? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-20 22:41