As a huge fan of streaming shows, I think it’s safe to say Stranger Things is probably the most impactful one ever made. What started as a really fun, nostalgic trip back to the ’80s has become a seriously epic paranormal story. But as the show’s gone on, it’s become clear these kids in Hawkins are dealing with the consequences of things that happened a long time ago. Season 4 finally gave us the big reveal: the real villain, Vecna, who we learn was originally a character named Henry Creel. Through a lot of flashbacks, they showed us Creel’s whole story, and it turned out Vecna was actually the mastermind behind everything all along – a pretty clever twist!
Here’s a complete timeline of events from Stranger Things so far. This timeline intentionally leaves out extra stories from books or other media, as many of them don’t quite fit with what happens in Season 4 and their official status is questionable. Specifically, it doesn’t include Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a play that offers a different backstory for Henry Creel, because the ending of Season 4 seems to contradict the play’s story.
The Creel Family Move to Hawkins – 1959
In flashbacks during Season 4 of Stranger Things, episodes 4 and 7, we learn that Victor Creel moved his family – his wife, Virginia, and daughter, Alice – to Hawkins in 1959. Soon after, they were tormented by the psychic abilities of their son, Henry. Desperate for help, they turned to Dr. Martin Brenner. When Henry feared his powers would be discovered, he murdered his mother and sister, framing his father for the crimes. This led to Henry being subdued and restrained by Dr. Brenner, who was fascinated by his abilities. Brenner then began secret experiments, hoping to create children with similar powers to be used as weapons.
The Birth of Jane Ives – June 7, 1971
Dr. Brenner tried to copy the abilities of Henry Creel by experimenting on pregnant women. He used LSD and kept them isolated, hoping to influence the developing fetuses. Terry Ives was one of these test subjects and gave birth to a daughter, Jane, on June 7, 1971. Brenner then took Jane, falsely telling everyone she had died, and raised her as his eleventh test subject. A quick glimpse of Jane’s birth is shown in a flashback during Season 2, Episode 7 of Stranger Things.
Terry Ives Tries To Rescue Her Daughter – 1974
In Season 2 of Stranger Things, Eleven accessed her mother’s memories and discovered Terry Ives tried to save her in 1974 by breaking into Hawkins Lab. However, in Season 4, Doctor Brenner revealed that the facility was actually a hospital back then.
Sara Hopper’s Death – 1978
In 1978, Jim Hopper, a Hawkins resident who was then living in New York with his wife Diane, experienced a heartbreaking loss when his daughter, Sara, died of cancer. Hints in the first season of Stranger Things suggest Sara may have passed away at the Hawkins Lab – which was likely a hospital at the time – potentially linking Hopper to the facility. Following this tragedy, Hopper and Diane separated, and he moved back to Hawkins, where he became the town’s police chief.
Kali Escapes Hawkins Lab – Date Unknown
Kali Prasad, also known as “Eight,” was a young girl with the ability to create illusions. She was kidnapped by Dr. Brenner and subjected to experiments at Hawkins Lab, but she eventually managed to escape. Driven by a desire for revenge, she went on the run, determined to make the scientists who harmed her pay for their actions, as depicted in Season 2 of Stranger Things.
Henry Creel Manipulates Eleven In A Brutal Escape Attempt – 1979
While held at Hawkins Lab, Henry Creel was secretly planning his escape, as shown in flashbacks during Season 4, episode 7 of Stranger Things. He cleverly caused trouble between Eleven and the other children, which allowed him to break free from the devices Brenner had implanted in his neck. Once free, Henry unleashed a violent attack on the lab, killing all the other test subjects. The rampage only stopped when Eleven faced him and, in a powerful confrontation, banished him to what would become the Upside Down.
Stranger Things Season 1 – November 1983
In November 1983, Dr. Brenner’s experiments with Eleven took a new turn as he tried to uncover the truth about Henry Creel. These experiments accidentally opened a portal to the Upside Down. Creel seized the chance, sending a Demogorgon through the portal to attack Hawkins Lab and kidnap Will Byers, hoping to use him as leverage. During the resulting chaos, Eleven escaped and sought refuge with Will’s friends. Dr. Brenner was presumed dead, and Eleven bravely fought to destroy the Demogorgon, putting herself in danger.
Stranger Things Season 2 – October and November 1984
Okay, so Season 2 of Stranger Things jumps ahead a year, landing us in the fall of 1984. After the disappearance of Dr. Brenner, a new guy, Sam Owens, is running the Hawkins Lab, keeping tabs on Will and that creepy gate. But they seriously underestimated this new villain, Henry Creel, and the truly terrifying Mind Flayer he cooked up. Luckily for everyone, they didn’t count on Eleven being hidden away and cared for by Hopper. She’s still incredibly powerful, and ultimately manages to shut the gate, giving everyone a bit of breathing room… for now.
The Snow Ball – December 15, 1984
The second season of Stranger Things concludes on December 15, 1984, at the high school’s snow ball dance. By the end of the season, Eleven has officially become Hopper’s adopted daughter with help from Sam Owens, and she and Mike finally become a couple. However, their happy moment is overshadowed by the continuing threat of the Mind Flayer, which is still watching them from the Upside Down.
Stranger Things Season 3 – June / July 1985
The American government stopped researching the Upside Down, but the Soviets tried to recreate the experiments. They found that openings between worlds could only be made in Hawkins, Indiana, where the barrier was weak. The Soviets used a local, dishonest politician, Mayor Kline, to secretly build a device under the town to create a new opening. While the Mind Flayer tried to control or destroy Eleven, Hopper and Joyce Byers were able to shut down the Soviet device before it was fully operational. Hopper was captured during the attempt and presumed dead, leading Joyce and her family, including a now powerless Eleven, to leave Hawkins.
Stranger Things Season 4 – March 1986
Once Eleven was seemingly defeated, Henry Creel – known to the kids as Vecna – started using his powers to kill people and create openings between Hawkins and the Upside Down. Recognizing the connection to Victor Creel, Dr. Owens and Brenner convinced Eleven to undergo a risky new procedure to regain her abilities. However, she didn’t recover in time to stop Vecna from attacking her friend Max, and he used Max’s near-death experience to create massive portals to the Upside Down, throwing Hawkins into turmoil. Eleven and her friends, now reunited with Hopper after his rescue by Joyce, all returned to Hawkins to face Vecna in a final showdown.
Stranger Things Season 5 picks up 18 months later, in September 1987.
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2025-11-25 19:11