4 Devastating Stranger Things Deaths That Set Up Season 5

Stranger Things is finally heading into its last chapter. Most of the core gang has somehow dodged the grave so far, but the show has left some real scars along the way. Before we all dive into Season 5, let’s pour one out for the major characters who didn’t make it here. And yeah, I’m still thinking about Barb.

The big losses that still haunt the show

• Barbara Holland (Shannon Purser) – Season 1
  Nearly a decade later and Barb’s death still stings. She was snatched by the Demogorgon early on, turning a poolside sulk into Hawkins’ first real tragedy courtesy of the Upside Down. Beyond the shock, it mattered: it was the moment the show made it clear there were stakes. The Duffers later admitted they didn’t give Barb’s fallout the time it deserved because they were stretched thin back then, and they regret it.
• Bob Newby (Sean Astin) – Season 2
  Joyce’s sweet, practical boyfriend who actually listened to Will and wanted a normal life away from Hawkins. Bob died a hero at the lab, taken out by demodogs (think juvenile Demogorgons) after he literally unlocked the way out and bought everyone else time to escape. He’s still remembered as one of the show’s best surprise additions, which is funny considering he wasn’t exactly designed as a long-term player.
• Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) – Season 3
  Introduced as Max’s jerk stepbrother, Billy got possessed by the Mind Flayer, and then, in a rare moment of clarity, chose to do the right thing. During the Starcourt Mall showdown, he sacrificed himself to protect Max and her friends. It flipped him from villain to tragic protector in an instant—and that loss has been sitting heavy on Max ever since.
• Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) – Season 4
  The Hellfire Club’s metalhead mascot showed up for one season and left like a legend. Stuck in the Upside Down, Eddie made the ultimate call: grab the guitar, make noise, pull the monsters away, and give the others a shot. He stayed when he could have run, and he paid for it. The Duffers have said Eddie was drawn from their own high school experiences, which probably explains why he felt so specific—and why his exit hits so hard.

Where things stand now

Stranger Things has four seasons out, with the fifth and final one on the way. It’s created by the Duffer Brothers and led by Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo. The show’s still holding strong with an IMDb score of 8.6/10 and a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 drops November 26, 2025 on Netflix.

Which loss wrecked you the most—Barb, Bob, Billy, or Eddie? Tell me below.