Stranger Things 3: 6 reasons [spoiler] is still alive

He’s gotta be the American

Let’s just say what we’re all thinking: Hopper’s gotta be “the American”, right? The ST3 finale ends with a mid-credits scene set in some Russian bunker. A couple of communist soldiers comment that one of their cells holds an “American”, right before they feed another poor prisoner to a Demogorgon!

There are a few other candidates who this unfortunate citizen of the United States could be – maybe Murray or Mayor Kline – but the chief suspect has to be Hopper. It’d make sense – the only reasons he wouldn’t return to Hawkins would be if he were stuck in the Upside Down or incarcerated somewhere.

He’s Chief Jim Hopper!

Last but not least, the most important reason why he’s got to be alive is that this is frickin’ Chief Jim Hopper we’re talking about! Thanks to David Harbour’s great performance, Hopper’s become one of the most fan-favorite characters on Stranger Things. 

He’s been such a core part of the series since the beginning, with us witnessing his growth from a broken man grieving the tragic loss of his daughter to opening himself up to the chance of loving others again. It’d be a huge loss to the show if he wasn’t in season 4 – which may very well be the final ever season.

So for all these reasons and more, I think we can feel pretty confident that Hopper will be dad-dancing his way back on over to Hawkins in Stranger Things 4.