It’s been 10 years since we first stepped into the moody lil town of Hawkins, and the kids have really been through it — especially Eleven, Will, Lucas, Mike, and Dustin. But honestly? So have we. We signed up for a cute, spooky kids’ show and got… trauma. And the emotional damage is far from over.
Who will die in Stranger Things Season 5? More like… who’s actually making it out alive?!
The final season will have eight (longer-than-your-last-situationship) episodes, released in three parts: Part One drops November 26, Part Two lands December 25, and Part Three arrives December 31, 2025.
So let’s begin the annual tradition of spiralling over which beloved characters might be hitting their expiration date.
Who Dies In Stranger Things Season 5?
As if we weren’t already stress-sweating over the final season of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers showed up to stir the pot. The showrunners previously told Entertainment Weekly that season five will be “brutal,” and that any deaths would feel “earned” — meaning if someone goes down, it’s not for drama, it’s because it’ll actually wreck the story in a meaningful way. Cute!
In a recent interview with EW, Matt Duffer revealed that he, Ross, and the writers “always talk about it” when it comes to killing off main characters. He even used Mike as an example in a very chill, not-at-all-threatening way: “This is a total hypothetical: You kill Mike. It just makes the show rather depressing and bleak, and it becomes entirely about that. Even these more supporting characters like Eddie or Bob or Barb, of course, have really long-lasting repercussions on our characters.”
While nothing is confirmed, the fact that Matt Duffer casually slotted Mike into a list of characters who’ve already been killed off might be a tiny, subtle, horrifying hint that Mike could be in real danger this season. Or reverse psychology that he isn’t in any danger — I need help.
Is Eddie Actually Dead?
In the season four finale, after going full metal hero against a swarm of Vecna’s demobats with Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) by his side, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) sacrificed himself in one of the most emotional and chaotic scenes of the show.
And even though he joined the series literally that season, we all fell in love with him immediately. Which is why, despite watching him get devoured like a drunk girl hitting a 2 a.m. kebab, we collectively convinced ourselves there had to be a loophole. A miracle. A demobat misfire. Something. Especially when Quinn kept fanning the delusion flames with his little interviews and teases.
But sadly, the gaslighting ends here: producer Matt Duffer has once again confirmed that Eddie Munson is, in fact, deader than your last situationship.
“I love that Joe Quinn is toying with people! But no, he’s dead,” Matt said. “Joe is so busy, anyway, that everyone should know he’s not coming back. He’s shot like five movies since! When the hell has he got time to come and shoot Stranger Things? No, sadly, RIP. He’s fully under that ground.”
So yes, he’s dead. And he’s staying dead. Eddie is not the one coming back, but the heartbreak? Eternal.
Stranger Things Season 5 Death Theories
Theory 1: Someone New
Let’s start projecting, besties! Historically, the newest characters are basically sacrificial lambs. Just look at Bob Newby (Sean Astin) in Season 2 or Eddie Munson in Season 4 — both adored, both immediately snatched by the Upside Down.
This season, we’re meeting Linda Hamilton as a mysterious new character named Dr. Kay. Could she be a classic “last to arrive, first to die” situation? Honestly… the math is mathing.
Theory 2: Max Mayfield
BUT this rule doesn’t always track. Billy Hargrove’s (Dacre Montgomery) heartbreaking Season 3 death says hello. As does Barb (Shannon Purser), who was aggressively yeeted out of Season 1 before she even got a proper storyline. RIP, justice for that queen forever.
And because final seasons love emotional terrorism, beloved characters are very much on the chopping block.
Max Mayfield’s (Sadie Sink) fate has been one giant question mark since her run-in with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) left her blind, bone-shattered, and basically held together with pure willpower and Kate Bush. (Which, turns out, was not enough.)
That said, if the Duffers planned to kill her, they probably would’ve done it in Season 4 when she literally died for a minute. So maybe the real twist is that Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) goes down saving her again?
Protect Lucas at all costs, I’m begging.
Theory 3: Will Byers
If there’s anyone who has “final season martyr” energy, it’s Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). He’s been Vecna’s emotional support hostage since literally episode one, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he ultimately becomes the one to pay the biggest price. His disappearance kicked off the entire series, he’s been intertwined with the Upside Down from the start, and narratively? A tragic, full-circle ending for him would unfortunately… make sense.
We already know Vecna has plans for him in Season 5 — the trailer even features him saying, “You are going to help me one last time.” Not ominous at all! Totally fine! Love that for him!
Maybe this is the season Vecna finally gets what he’s wanted since day one: Will, permanently.
Theory 4: Eleven
Much like Will, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is literally the center of the entire chaos. She’s the one who accidentally opened the door to the Upside Down, and she’s the only one capable of taking down Vecna. Big responsibilities, bigger stakes.
Her powers also always take a physical toll, so maybe the final battle will demand more than her body can handle. But we doubt Vecna straight-up kills her — then who would stop him?
Or… hear us out — she survives but ends up taking over the Upside Down herself.
Theory 5: Hopper
Killing off one of the beloved D&D crew feels too cruel, even for the Duffers (I said feels, not isn’t), so maybe it’s time to picture an adult taking the hit. Hopper (David Harbour) is always first in line to sacrifice himself for Eleven, and the trailer definitely hints at another gut punch — including that heart-shredding shot of Dustin hugging Steve like he’s trying to keep him from evaporating.
Plus, Hopper’s whole redemption arc puts a big neon “AT RISK!!!” sign over his head.
But Season 3 already gave us the Great Hopper Death Fakeout of 2019, so killing him again would be… repetitive? So probably not him.
(Although let’s be honest: if Stranger Things doesn’t take him out, Lily Allen fans might.)
Theory 6: Ted Wheeler
Reddit and TikTok detectives have been obsessively analyzing every trailer frame, and one of the wildest theories involves Ted Wheeler (Joe Chrest) — yes, Mike and Nancy’s dad.
You might be like… who? Fair. Ted has stayed pretty safely out of the supernatural chaos until now. But Season 5 could finally throw him into the fire. If Ted dies, the Wheeler family gets obliterated emotionally. Karen Wheeler (Cara Buono) gets a tragic arc, and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) are shoved even further into trauma town. In classic Stranger Things fashion, this would be an “earned” heartbreak — exactly what the Duffers promised.
One clue fueling this theory? That shot of Nancy crying while scrubbing blood off her hands in the trailer. Could be anyone’s blood, sure. But her dad’s? Ouchie.
Theory 7: Steve Harrington
Most fans are convinced our boy Stevie (Joe Keery) is going to bite it. And honestly? It would hurt so much. From douchebag jock to lovable hero, Steve’s arc screams “tragic, selfless death to save the gang.” Heartstrings = officially tugged.
Further evidence? That gut-wrenching trailer shot of Dustin hugging Steve. TV obsessors know a bad omen when they see one.
Plus, his death would finally dissolve the awkward love triangle with Nancy and Jonathan. Let’s be real — IRL, Nancy and Jonathan are endgame.
Theory 8: Jonathan Byers
But let’s not sleep on Jonathan (Charlie Heaton). That love triangle drama still needs resolution, and final seasons love using devastating deaths to clear the romantic field.
What if, instead of Steve, sweet Jonathan gets taken out? Not only would Nancy be shattered, but it could also serve as a heroic sacrifice to save Will, who, yes, is still very much at risk from Vecna this season.
Everyone’s obsessing over Steve, but maybe Jonny boy is the one we actually lose. Keep tissues nearby.
Will Vecna Die In Season 5?
Okay, let’s be real: Henry Creel, a.k.a. Vecna, has to die this season. Like, there’s literally no way the show ends without him being obliterated, right? Can you imagine the ultimate letdown of a final season where the big bad just… survives? No.
We’re expecting Eleven to finally bring the heat in an epic, high-stakes telekinetic showdown — think sparks, debris flying, and every bit of Eleven’s energy pushed to the absolute max. And of course, she won’t be doing it alone. Dustin, Mike, Lucas, Max, and the whole gang are probably going to be right there, risking life and limb, screaming, crying, and maybe even delivering a few one-liners while the Upside Down collapses around them.
And honestly? If he doesn’t die, we riot.
We’ll keep you posted, besties.