Series Page

Season 1 – Stranger Things

Play trailer

2:11

Jul 2016

Drama

Sci-Fi

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

92 Reviews

96%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Mysteries unravel in a small Midwestern town in the 1980s, involving supernatural forces, secret experiments and one strange girl.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Exciting, heartbreaking, and sometimes scary, Stranger Things acts as an addictive homage to Spielberg films and vintage 1980s television.

Read Critics Reviews

Jonathan Pile

Empire Magazine

Nov 6, 2017

3/5

There are enough human dramas, soapy teenage love triangles and nostalgia-coated kids' adventures to make it an engaging eight episodes.

Go to Full Review

Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Oct 4, 2016

From time to time in the early episodes it does feel as though Stranger Things is only a gratuitous reference or two away from tipping over into uninspired pastiche, but it has enough ballast to keep righting itself.

Go to Full Review

Ben Travers

IndieWire

Aug 24, 2016

The films "Stranger Things" honors transcended their genres. This seems happy to propitiate them.

Go to Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 19, 2022

4.5/5

“Stranger Things” is a fascinating stew that juggles numerous genres and influences. Yet it all comes together to form an enthralling eight-episode television season that plays like one well-paced and impressively conceived movie.

Go to Full Review

Nathan Mattise

Ars Technica

Jul 27, 2021

Stranger Things succeeds on-screen in its first season. You'll get all of the timeless feels whether the show depicts the life you lived, the life you wanted after watching that decade's films...

Go to Full Review

Kelechi Ehenulo

Confessions From A Geek Mind

Jul 15, 2020

4.5/5

To conclude, Stranger Things is a blast, thanks to its strong storytelling and high production values.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Melchizedek Franz Noval S

@Melchizedek 1 day ago

Season 1 is a fantastic blend of sci-fi, horror, mystery, and ’80s adventure. The disappearance of Will Byers gives the season a strong central mystery, while the introduction of Eleven adds an intriguing supernatural element. The biggest strength is the ensemble cast, particularly the chemistry between Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Eleven. The season also balances the kids’ adventure with the stories of Joyce and Hopper, giving the mystery an emotional weight beyond simply finding Will. The Upside Down is especially effective because the show reveals it gradually, creating a creepy sense of mystery rather than explaining everything immediately. The atmosphere, synth-heavy score, practical effects, and ’80s setting also give the series a distinctive identity. There are a few slower moments and some familiar genre ideas, but the characters, suspense, atmosphere, and memorable finale makes a very strong start.

Family M

@FamilyMovies1968 3 days ago

Everybody Loved Stranger Things! It was a funny, scary, and intense best TV show ever

Esqueleto5678 T

@RT15316404 5 days ago

A great start. The mystery and storyline are incredible, and the pacing is perfect; it never gets boring. The characters are really good, and honestly, they’re excellent in this season. The ending was beautiful, in my opinion. The second-best season. 9/10.

Dixie M

@DMDarne123 Sep 6, 2026

Bring me back to rewatching the whole season

Lincoln D

@Linclovesmovies Sep 1, 2026

Very popular, I watched, absolutely terrible show, the worst thing i've seen in ages.

Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

really good and creative storytelling episode after episode very much sci-fi the goonies vibes.

Read all reviews

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Winona Ryder

Joyce Byers

David Harbour

Chief Jim Hopper

Matthew Modine

Dr. Brenner

Finn Wolfhard

Mike Wheeler

Natalia Dyer

Nancy Wheeler

Cara Buono

Karen Wheeler

Episode 1

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

On his way home, Will sees something terrifying; a sinister secret lurks in the depths of a nearby government lab.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

Mike, Dustin and Lucas try to talk to the girl they saw in the woods; Hopper questions Joyce about a disturbing phone call.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly

Increasingly concerned, Nancy searches for Barb and tries to find out what Jonathan has been up to; Joyce thinks Will is trying to talk to her.

Details

Episode 4

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Four: The Body

Refusing to accept that Will is dead, Joyce tries to connect with him; the boys decide to give Eleven a makeover; Jonathan and Nancy form an unexpected alliance.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Five: The Flea and the Acrobat

Hopper gets into the lab; Jonathan and Nancy confront the force that took Will; the boys talk to Mr. Clarke about traveling to another dimension.

Details

Episode 6

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Six: The Monster

Jonathan frantically looks for Nancy in the darkness as Steve looks for her too; Joyce and Hopper learn the truth about the lab's experiments.

Details

Episode 7

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Seven: The Bathtub

Eleven tries to reach Will; Lucas issues a warning about the arrival of the bad men; Jonathan and Nancy show the police what was caught on camera.

Details

Episode 8

Aired Jul 15, 2016

Chapter Eight: The Upside Down

Dr. Brenner holds Joyce and Hopper for questioning as the boys wait for Eleven in the gym; Jonathan and Nancy prepare for battle.

Details

Yanxi Palace: Princess Adventures

Watchlist

The Journalist

100%

88%

The Journalist

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Journalist

Ginny & Georgia

68%

77%

Ginny & Georgia

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Ginny & Georgia

Northern Rescue

89%

Northern Rescue

Watchlist

Resurrection: Ertugrul

92%

Resurrection: Ertugrul

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

The Biggest and Best TV & Streaming Series of the Last 25 Years

“Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong” About… Stranger Things

Binge Guide: The 5 Most Bingeable Shows Ever!

Stranger Things: Season 1 Featurette - Bloopers