Stranger Things Finale Marathon: Essential Episodes for January 1st

The foundation of the entire series. To understand the finale, you must return to the moment Will Byers first encountered the Upside Down and Eleven escaped the lab.

Recommended by the Duffer Brothers for Season 5 prep. This episode explores Will’s viral connection to the Mind Flayer, a tether that remains central to the final showdown.

A deep dive into the mythology of the hive mind. The Duffer Brothers highlighted this episode as vital for understanding the 'seeds' of the final conflict.

The essential origin story of Henry Creel (001/Vecna). This reveals how Eleven inadvertently created her greatest nemesis and the Rift itself.

The Season 4 finale that literally breaks Hawkins. It leaves Max in a coma and the Upside Down bleeding into reality, setting the stage for the final war.

The beginning of the end. Premiered in late 2025, this episode deals with the immediate aftermath of the rifts opening and the military quarantine of Hawkins.

A high-stakes episode from the 2025 release cycle that echoes the pilot, shifting the focus to the younger generation as Vecna's influence spreads.

Part of the Christmas Day 2025 drop. This episode features critical lore regarding the radio waves and psychological warfare Vecna is using against the survivors.

The penultimate episode released just days ago on December 25, 2025. It concludes with the group's final plan to cross into the 'Rightside Up' for the ultimate battle.

The series finale event. Watching this on January 1, 2026, concludes a decade of storytelling. Note: Also screening in select theaters for New Year's Day.