Sorcerer or The Rightside Up? Top-rated Stranger Things episodes after series finale
After 10 years, fan-favourite Stranger Things has ended. The final episode premiered on January 1 on Netflix. Now it's time to see the top-rated episode of each Stranger Things season.
Stranger Things Season 5
Last Updated: 05.52 PM, Jan 01, 2026
Stranger Things finale premiered on January 1, 2026, on Netflix and with this, a 10-year fan favourite series came to an end. Stranger Things is popular for its strong nostalgic appeal, interesting characters, and an extraordinary blend of science fiction, horror, and coming-of-age drama. Fans are already missing the show because they have developed deep emotional bonds with the characters over the years and feel that this show is the culmination of a special, shared cultural experience. After the Stranger Things finale and bidding goodbye to the Hawkins gang, here are the top-rated episodes of each season.
Top-rated Stranger Things episodes
Stranger Things has received phenomenal responses in every season, making it one of the greatest series of all time. As per IMDb, the top-rated episode of Stranger Things Season 1 is Chapter Eight: The Upside Down, where Joyce and Hopper are pulled in for questioning, and Nancy and Jonathan steel themselves for a dangerous showdown to save Will from the monster.
Stranger Things Season 2's top-rated episode is Chapter Nine: The Gate. In the episode, determined to end it forever, Eleven puts her plan into action while the survivors intensify their fight against the monster holding Will captive.
Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt is the top-rated episode for Stranger Things Season 3, where the Mind Flayer descends on the food court, spreading terror.
Stranger Things Season 4's top-rated episode is Chapter Seven: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab. In this episode, Hopper prepares for a brutal fight as Dustin unravels Vecna's intentions and translates a message from beyond. Elsewhere, El finds strength in a haunting memory.
Lastly, Chapter Four: Sorcerer is the top-rated episode of Stranger Things Season 5 (final season). In this episode, Will Byers reveals powerful new telekinetic abilities, stopping Demogorgons by embracing his inner self.
About Stranger Things 5
The OTTplay review for Stranger Things Season 5 finale stated that the grand conclusion to this supernatural saga ultimately chooses safety over substance. "While it provides necessary closure, the execution feels hollow, trading genuine narrative stakes for crowd-pleasing moments," it read.
Meanwhile, Stranger Things 5 brings the final battle to Hawkins in Fall 1987, with the gang uniting to find Vecna amidst military quarantine and government hunt for Eleven.
Stranger Things finale FAQs:
Q: Is the Stranger Things finale out in India?
A: The final episode of Stranger Things Season 5 was released in India at 6:30 AM IST on January 1, 2026.
Q: How many episodes are in Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 3?
A: Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 3, aka the finale, consists of only one episode, titled 'The Rightside Up.'
Q: Is there a season 6 of Stranger Things?
A: Stranger Things doesn’t have a Season 6, but the Duffer Brothers have hinted at a possible spin-off featuring new characters, something not exactly Stranger Things, but with a similar vibe.