With the destruction of the Upside Down and the closing of the final gate in Hawkins, Indiana, fans worldwide are still coming to terms with the end of Stranger Things. Since 2016, viewers have watched the core group of friends grow up, sharing in their triumphs and heartbreaks – and learning a valuable lesson about the importance of honesty. But even though the series has ended, the rich and detailed world created by the Duffer Brothers doesn’t have to stay finished. There are countless untold stories, forgotten experiments, and characters whose adventures feel far from over. The possibilities for continuing the story – whether in the 1980s or in a new town facing similar mysteries – are as limitless as the supernatural threats we’ve already seen.
Thinking about possibilities and future outcomes helps us keep the story going, allowing the world of Hawkins to continue in fresh and surprising ways.
11) Max’s Lost Months
Many viewers love Max Mayfield, and a spin-off series exploring her experiences inside Henry Creel’s mind could be incredibly compelling. Instead of a straightforward story, it could be a psychological thriller, delving into the strange and unpredictable world of Henry’s thoughts. We know Max spent almost two years navigating a confusing mix of her own memories and Henry’s past traumas, essentially playing a dangerous game within a psychic maze where reality didn’t matter. Seeing the full story of how she survived those two years would add valuable depth to the upcoming fifth season.
While struggling to hold onto who she is and desperate to reunite with her friends, Max might encounter echoes of others trapped by Henry’s terrifying psychic world over the years. The story would focus on her strength and the enduring power of the human spirit to remain conscious even in the darkest of places, ultimately leading to a hopeful and moving return.
10) Mr. Clarke Deserves More Time to Shine
Mr. Clarke, the Hawkins science teacher, always unknowingly provided the crucial knowledge to solve the town’s strange occurrences. Now that he knows about the supernatural, a spin-off series could explore his investigations into local mysteries – not always connected to the Upside Down. Imagine a feel-good, retro show reminiscent of The X-Files, but with lower stakes and set in a 1980s middle school science department. It would be a charming way to see him investigate unexplained events.
This new show would be fun and upbeat, focusing on the excitement of learning and the value of being open to new ideas, similar to Bill Nye the Science Guy. Mr. Clarke could team up with other scientists, expose common myths, and maybe even uncover more hidden government secrets in Hawkins. It would be a celebration of curiosity, showing that you don’t need superpowers to appreciate the world around you – just a willingness to learn and explore.
9) Tales from the Upside Down
As a huge fan of Stranger Things, I’ve been thinking about how cool it would be to see an anthology series. It’s a fantastic way to explore characters we lost too soon and really dive into their stories. Think about Eddie Munson – we barely got a glimpse of his life before everything went down in Season 4. An anthology episode could show us exactly what he was like before Hellfire, fleshing out a beloved character without needing the actors to commit to seasons and seasons of filming. It’s a win-win – more story, and a way to honor those characters we miss!
This format would let the show explore a wide range of genres, like scary slashers or lighthearted comedies. It would also give satisfying endings to beloved characters, such as Bob Newby, and delve deeper into the history of the town. By focusing on regular people facing unbelievable events, the series could capture the emotional core that made the original show so popular, while still keeping the stories relatable and personal.
8) The New Guard
Taking place a few years after the events of Season 5, this new series could center on teenage Holly Wheeler and Erica Sinclair as they deal with a world forever altered by the 1986 events. With the older kids now living in different parts of the country, a fresh supernatural danger emerges in Hawkins, and it’s up to this younger group to take action. Erica, as you’d expect, confidently leads the charge with her smarts, bravery, and knack for strategy.
The new season will capture the same fun, adventurous spirit as the original show, but with a distinctly 1990s vibe to show how time has passed. Holly, deeply impacted by her experiences with the supernatural, might have a special connection to the mysterious Abyss due to her time being held captive by Henry and the Mind Flayer. Alongside a fresh group of friends – including a character named Delightful Derek – this new generation will have to show that the kids of Hawkins are still the best hope for protecting the world from monsters and danger.
7) The Missing Numbers
Though Eleven, Henry, and Kali are the most well-known, Dr. Brenner experimented on many other children who were taken to Hawkins Lab. A potential spinoff series could be a dark and emotional story focusing on each child’s background – how they were kidnapped and what their lives were like beforehand. The series could also explore how each child developed their own, potentially dangerous, power after being exposed to Henry’s blood.
We’re familiar with Eleven’s experiences at Hawkins Lab and how she ended up there. While Kali, also known as Eight, shared her escape story, we never actually saw it happen on screen. This opens up possibilities for Kali to return, perhaps in a storyline showing the events leading up to her own escape. Since we know so little about these lab subjects, there’s a lot of creative freedom to explore their pasts.
6) Steve & Robin are Never Unemployed
Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley have amazing chemistry and are quickly becoming one of the most beloved TV duos. A spin-off series following their lives after leaving Hawkins isn’t just something fans want—it’s essential! Throughout Stranger Things, Steve and Robin have always worked side-by-side, from their days at Scoops Ahoy to Family Video and WSQK. Imagine them running a store in a new town or getting caught up in a quirky mystery at a 90s tech company—their dynamic would be the heart of the show. It could be a funny, intriguing workplace comedy where the biggest challenges come from difficult customers, rather than supernatural threats.
This story would center on the deep, non-romantic connection between the two characters as they experience the challenges and joys of growing up and dating. Eventually, one of them pursues a career as a middle school teacher and baseball coach, similar to what we see in the ending of Stranger Things. Though hints of the supernatural might appear now and then, the show would primarily focus on their conversations, their strong bond, and their enduring friendship. It would be a feel-good, character-driven story offering fans a lighter experience after the intense events of the final season, demonstrating that life continues even after extraordinary circumstances.
5) Discovering the Abyss
This new series would be a prequel, set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and would explore Dr. Martin Brenner’s intense drive to connect our world with the mysterious “Abyss.” After Eleven sent Henry Creel away, Brenner became fixated on finding him and using Eleven’s powers to reach the other dimension. The show would rewind to the beginning of Brenner’s obsession, presenting a chilling and methodical scientific thriller that reveals his morally questionable experiments and the political strategies he used to maintain his laboratory.
The show could explore Brenner’s inner world, revealing him as more than just a villain – a man motivated by a risky but groundbreaking curiosity. It might even depict the origins of his secret program, detailing how he developed the techniques used to train Eleven and her fellow subjects to control their powers. This spin-off would offer a disturbing glimpse at the price of advancement and the unsettling truth of a government agency experimenting with powers beyond its comprehension.
4) The First Shadow
This new series, inspired by the popular stage play, takes viewers back to 1959 Hawkins to tell the story of the Creel family’s brief time in town. We’ll see a young Jim Hopper, Joyce, and Bob Newby as high school students, completely unaware of the terrifying events about to unfold. The story also hints at a sweet romance – Bob’s sister, Patty, will fall for the man who will eventually become Vecna. The main focus is on Henry Creel and his mysterious few months at Hawkins High, where he stands out as someone truly unique and unsettling.
This series tells the complete origin story, revealing how the seemingly normal 1950s gradually led to the terrifying events of the future. By showing younger versions of beloved characters, The First Shadow helps fans understand what drives them and the painful experiences that shaped them. It’s a heartbreaking and self-contained story that proves the evil in Hawkins existed long before Eleven’s experiments began.
3) Henry Creel’s Backstory is Still Filled With Questions
Before he became the Mind Flayer and was experimented on in a lab, Henry Creel was a deeply troubled boy with a frightening ability. This story, a psychological horror prequel, builds on elements from the play The First Shadow, but goes much further, offering a deeper look into Henry’s life. It would detail his childhood, specifically the years before his powers developed and he met Brenner. The story could explore how a young boy saw and felt disconnected from the world around him, and how that feeling of isolation fueled the darkness within him and began to warp his perception of reality.
This potential series would focus on building suspense and psychological tension, delving into Henry’s thoughts as he battles to maintain control while influenced by the Mind Flayer. It would explore how his family slowly loses their grip on reality as they recognize something deeply disturbing about their son – something the brief flashback and explanation from Victor Creel in Season 4 only hinted at. Ultimately, it would be a dark and intimate look at Henry’s character, questioning whether he was inherently evil or truly corrupted by the Mind Flayer, as he asserted in the show’s ending.
2) Nancy Wheeler’s Story Continues
Nancy Wheeler has always been a skilled investigator and sharpshooter in Hawkins, and a spin-off series could explore her becoming a police officer. While she once planned to work at the Boston Herald after leaving college, what if she decided to return home? This series would follow Nancy as she joins the Hawkins police force under Jim Hopper’s guidance, using her shooting skills, bravery, and determination to help the town. Set after the events of the original series, it would focus on Nancy dealing with the aftermath as Hawkins tries to return to normal—though things may not be as they seem.
The show would follow a case-of-the-week format, with Nancy solving mysteries that still have echoes of the supernatural world, even though the portal to the Upside Down is closed. She’d have to navigate the frustrating rules and paperwork of being a detective while knowing there are strange and hidden things happening around her. This would be a natural next step for Nancy, showing how she’s grown from a typical teenager into a determined detective fighting for justice in a town still recovering from past trauma.
1) We’re Not Ready to Let Go of Steve & Dustin Just Yet
Fan favorites Steve and Dustin are back! This new series follows them as they travel the country, investigating mysterious events. Even though they seemingly closed the gate to the Upside Down, strange things are still happening. Dustin brings the smarts and tech, while Steve provides the brawn, driving skills, and surprisingly good hair advice – their funny and effective partnership is sure to be a hit.
This new show would be an exciting, episode-by-episode adventure, reminiscent of Supernatural but with a fun, 80s and 90s vibe. The story follows two brothers who connect through shared hardship and a strong bond, and who end up helping other families facing terrifying, unexplained events. It’s a great mix of emotional moments, comedy, and scares – giving fans everything they love about the show’s famous friendship, and more of it.
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2026-01-06 05:13