6 most brutal Stranger Things deaths so far, ranked

Stranger Things isn’t just another Netflix hit. It's the show that defined an entire era of streaming television. From the moment it premiered in 2016, it became a global obsession and arguably the best Netflix series ever created. It captured lightning in a bottle with its irresistible mix of ’80s nostalgia, supernatural terror, small-town mystery, and heartfelt character drama. When people talk about shows that changed television, Stranger Things is always at the top of the list, right where it belongs.

What makes this show truly special is how deeply it connects with viewers on an emotional level. Beneath the flashing neon lights, the D&D references, and the terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows, it’s a story about friendship, family, courage, and sacrifice. But with great storytelling also comes great heartbreak, and no show delivers emotional devastation quite like this hit sci-fi series.

As we gear up for Stranger Things 5, we've decided to take a trip down memory lane and rank the six most savage deaths the series has delivered so far.

6. Alexei

• When does Alexei die? - Season 3, episode 7

Alexei wasn't a character fans were supposed to like, given that he was a Russian scientist working for the villains, helping conduct dangerous experiments in the secret lab beneath Starcourt Mall. However, his innocent demeanor, love for American junk food, and genuine kindness quickly won over the audience, turning him into one of the most beloved characters in Stranger Things 3.

Sadly, Alexei didn't make it out alive in the third season. As he was enjoying himself at the Independence Day Fun Fair, Murray left him unattended, and Russian agent Grigori fatally shot him. Murray went to get help, but once he came back, Alexei had already passed away.

5. Barb Holland

• When does Barb die? - Season 1, episode 3

Barb's death happened in the very first season of Stranger Things, and it still haunts fans years later as one of the most shocking and unfair losses in the series. Unlike some of the other dramatic deaths in the series, Barb wasn’t killed in a heroic battle or a selfless sacrifice. She was an innocent bystander, a loyal friend, and a character who simply got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

What's even worse is how the show initially overlooked her absence. While the main characters were consumed with fighting the Upside Down and saving Will, Barb’s disappearance was largely ignored by the adults and her friends. After being pulled into the Upside Down (via a pool) by a Demogorgon while at a party with Nancy and others, Barb is then attacked and killed by the monstrous creature in the dark, parallel dimension.

4. Eddie Munson

• When does Eddie die? - Season 4, episode 9

Eddie Munson, the charismatic leader of the Hellfire Club, was a fan favorite from the moment he appeared on screen in the fourth season. He was funny, rebellious, and fiercely loyal to his friends. Although he was labeled as a "freak" by the popular kids at Hawkins High, he didn't let that bother him. But unfortunately, things got bad for him after Chrissy's death.

Eddie quickly became the town’s scapegoat, blamed for a crime he didn’t commit, and forced to go on the run while still trying to protect his friends. His story culminated in a heart-wrenching and heroic moment in the Upside Down, where he faced the Demobats head-on. Despite knowing the danger, he sacrificed himself so that the others could escape, making his death both tragic and unforgettable. As Dustin held him in his arms, they shared one final emotional moment before Eddie took his last breath.

3. Billy Hargrove

• When does Billy die? - Season 3, episode 8

Billy was not a good character. He was a bully, aggressive, and often cruel to everyone around him, especially his step-sister Max and her friends. His arrogance, temper, and need to assert dominance made him one of the most hated characters in the series, and he thrived on intimidation and fear. Yet, beneath his rough exterior, the show slowly revealed layers of complexity. Billy’s difficult upbringing, neglectful parents, and deep-seated insecurities helped explain (but never fully excuse) his behavior.

That's why when he sacrificed himself in Stranger Things 3 to save Eleven and the other kids from the Mind Flayer's Spider Monster form, it was such a shocking and heartbreaking moment. Despite all his flaws and past cruelty, Billy’s final act showed courage and selflessness, revealing a side of him that no one had fully seen before.

While trying to hold off the Spider Monster, Billy is then impaled multiple times in the side before being fatally struck through the chest by the creature.

2. Bob Newby

• When does Bob die? - Season 2, episode 8

Poor, Bob! Bob's death in Stranger Things 2 was one of the most devastating moments in the series, and it hit fans particularly hard because he was such a genuinely kind and lovable character. Bob was the ultimate “good guy," always willing to put others’ safety before his own. He really wanted to build a bond with Will and Jonathan since he saw a future with Joyce, and this is what made his death feel even more tragic and undeserved.

In a heroic attempt to save Joyce, Will, and the others from the Demodogs at Hawkins Lab, Bob went to find the lab's generator to restart it. That way, the lab doors would unlock and they'd all be able to escape. But although he successfully restarted the generator, he was unable to escape with the others because he ended up being brutally attacked and ultimately devoured by a pack of Demodogs.

1. Chrissy Cunningham

• When does Chrissy die? - Season 4, episode 1

We didn't get the chance to know more about Chrissy since she was killed off so early in the fourth season, but her death was shockingly brutal and haunting, instantly setting the dark tone for Stranger Things 4. Although she was part of the popular crowd at Hawkins High, she didn't appear to be a cruel or mean-spirited person. Like any teenager, she had her own struggles, insecurities, and moments of vulnerability, which made her sudden and violent death feel all the more tragic.

Chrissy struggled with an eating disorder, which stemmed from the intense pressure and criticism she faced from her mother. This is how Vecna targeted her. He preyed on her fears and insecurities, forcing her to relive her darkest thoughts through terrifying hallucinations before brutally killing her. It's the way in which he kills his victims that's really chilling.

He uses his supernatural abilities to control the victim’s body, lifting them off the ground and immobilizing them in a trance-like state. He then physically mutilates them in a brutal and violent way, breaking their arms and legs and gouging out their eyes. That's exactly what he did to Chrissy, and that's when the audience knew Stranger Things 4 would be darker and deadlier than ever.

The first part of Stranger Things 5 is set to be released on Netflix on Nov. 26.