Every STRANGER THINGS Main Character and Their Ending

As the Walrus famously said, it’s time to discuss the end of Stranger Things. With the release of Stranger Things 5: The Finale on Netflix, we now know the fate of all the main characters. Here’s a breakdown of what happened to your favorites and how their stories concluded.

The Stranger Things Main Characters & Their Endings

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Mike Wheeler Graduated From High School and Intends to Become a Writer in Stranger Things‘ Ending

The final episode of Stranger Things reveals that Mike Wheeler did graduate high school, despite nearly missing the ceremony. The ending shows a glimpse into the future, where Mike has become a writer. He continues to write stories based on the adventures of his friends, hoping their bravery will become legendary and known by everyone.

Dustin Henderson Graduated From High School as Valedictorian and Is Heading to College

Dustin Henderson’s ending in Stranger Things is perfect. In the final season, he graduates as valedictorian, but his speech isn’t typical. He takes the opportunity to honor his friend, Eddie Munson, with a bit of playful rebellion. Dustin celebrates their differences and the beauty in being unique, then dramatically tears off his graduation gown and shirt to reveal a “Hellfire Lives” t-shirt. He grabs his diploma and gives the principal a defiant gesture – just like Eddie always promised he would. It’s a heartwarming and fitting tribute that left us feeling incredibly satisfied.

In the final scene of Stranger Things, Mike describes Dustin’s future: he’ll go to college not too far from Hawkins, work hard, and get a great education. Importantly, Mike also sees Dustin continuing to have fun adventures with Steve Harrington, and that’s a future fans will definitely enjoy.

Lucas Sinclair Graduated From High School, and He and Max Are Going to Live Happily Ever After

Lucas had a happy ending in Stranger Things! He and Max are still a couple and clearly very much in love – they even share a kiss! Mike Wheeler hints that things will continue to go well for them, predicting they’ll move to a quiet town and build an even stronger relationship.

Max Mayfield Is Healed Up and Skate Boarding Again in Her Stranger Things Ending

Max and Lucas have closely connected conclusions to the story. However, we want to emphasize that Max fully recovers from the injuries she sustained from Vecna by the end of Stranger Things 5: The Finale. We even see her back to skateboarding! And she’s still enjoying Dungeons & Dragons – a true nerd at heart!

Will Byers Has Graduated From High School and Is Heading for NYC

Will Byers has also graduated high school, and Mike says he’s moving to New York City after the events of Stranger Things. It seems he finds a new life and a boyfriend in a place called “The Village,” where he feels loved and accepted. His brother, Jonathan, is also living in the city.

Eleven Is Either Dead or On Her Own In a Place with Waterfalls in Her Stranger Things Ending

It’s unclear how Eleven’s story will end in Stranger Things 5. One possibility is that she sacrificed herself when the Upside Down was destroyed. Another is that Kali helped her secretly escape the military, allowing her to live freely on her own.

Steve Harrington Is a High School Coach and Wants to Settle Down in Hawkins (And Yes, He’s Alive in His Stranger Things Ending)

It’s great to see Steve Harrington thriving at the end of Stranger Things! He’s become a baseball coach and, surprisingly, a sex education teacher at Hawkins High. He’ll definitely take teaching kids about life seriously, and we can be sure he’ll always be there to support anyone who needs it. Steve even plans to buy a house in Hawkins, showing how much he loves the town.

Robin Buckley Is at Smith College and Thriving

Okay, so Robin’s off to Smith College, and honestly, I think she’s going to absolutely thrive there. It’s a women’s college with a huge LGBTQ+ community now, and I have a feeling it was always a welcoming place. Plus, she’s in Massachusetts, just like Nancy! That definitely keeps the hope alive for RoNance – I’m still rooting for them!

Nancy Wheeler Dropped Out of Emerson and Is Working as a Journalist in Her Stranger Things Ending

In a surprising turn of events following the end of Stranger Things, Nancy Wheeler decided to leave Emerson University, the school she’d always wanted to attend. She opted for a job at The Herald newspaper instead. Nancy explained she was tired of studying and eager to start working in the field. Considering everything she went through with the Upside Down, it’s easy to understand why she wanted a change of pace.

Jonathan Byers Is at NYU Film School and Making an Anti-Capitalist Movie

Jonathan Byers has moved to New York City to pursue his passion for filmmaking at NYU. He’s working on a thought-provoking movie called The Consumer, which explores themes of consumerism through the story of a woman whose hunger only increases with what she consumes. It’s a project that really suits his interests.

Robin, Jonathan, Nancy, and Steve Promise to Meet Up Once a Month

The older kids have a sweet tradition now. They’re planning to meet up once a month at Robin’s uncle’s house just to hang out, and they might even work on Jonathan’s film project while they’re together.

Hopper and Joyce Byers Are Getting Married and Moving to Montauk in Their Stranger Things Ending

After the loss of his daughter, Hopper decides to embrace life and quickly proposes to Joyce, and she says yes. He then tells her he wants them to leave Hawkins, as he’s been offered a well-paying job in Montauk. Interestingly, Montauk was once considered as the show’s title, which is a fun detail for long-time fans.

Erica Is Still Teasing Her Brother and Making Trouble

Although we don’t get a lot of screen time with Erica at the end of Stranger Things, it’s clear she’s still playfully teasing Lucas. We also see she’s remained a close friend to Dustin, which is great – she even helps him build a confetti cannon for a fun, chaotic graduation celebration.

Vecna Is Dead on Stranger Things

Vecna, also known as Henry Creel and One, is defeated in the final season of Stranger Things. His end came surprisingly quickly; Eleven, Nancy, and the rest of the group destroyed his Mind Flayer body, with Eleven stabbing him and Joyce ultimately beheading him. Rest in peace, Vecna.

Kali/Eight Is Dead on Stranger Things

The character Kali, also known as Eight, is now confirmed to be dead on Stranger Things. While fans hoped she might return for the fifth season, her tragic fate is now clear, and many are disappointed she didn’t survive. She was shot by Akers while in the Upside Down.

Murray and Mr. Clarke Are Hanging Out in Their Stranger Things Ending

Fans are really hoping Murray and Mr. Clarke end up together, and that’s great! While we don’t know what happened with their stories on Stranger Things, we did see them sitting together at the kids’ graduation. It’s never too late for a romantic connection, right?

Holly Wheeler and Delightful Derek Are Picking Up the Dungeons & Dragons Mantle

We really enjoyed Holly Wheeler and Derek’s storyline in Stranger Things 5, and we especially loved how it ended. Holly, Derek, and some friends are starting their own Dungeons & Dragons game, with Holly taking on the role of Dungeon Master!

We Don’t Know Vickie’s Ending on Stranger Things

Okay, so Vickie showed up in Stranger Things 5: The Finale to give the group a hand, but honestly, she just… disappeared at the end. It wasn’t a satisfying conclusion, but then again, I didn’t really get the sense she was a fully developed character to begin with, so it didn’t sting too much when she didn’t get a proper send-off.

Dr. Kay Is Still Alive on Stranger Things

Dr. Kay survived and is still a threat. Although she lost contact with Eleven at the end of Stranger Things season 5, it’s likely she’s still determined to return to The Abyss – maybe even in a future spin-off series.

Barb Is Still Dead on Stranger Things

Alas, after ALL of that. Barb is still dead on Stranger Things.

Eddie Munson Is Still Dead on Stranger Things

The perfect ending to Stranger Things 5: The Finale would have been bringing Eddie Munson back, and honestly, fans deserved that. Sadly, he stays gone. Rest in peace.

Stranger Things‘ Ending Is Only the Beginning

Even though the characters in Stranger Things have reached the end of their journeys, the story doesn’t necessarily have to be over. We’ve all shared this experience with Stranger Things, and our connection to it continues.

All of Stranger Things is now streaming on Netflix.

All The Stranger Things Characters’ Endings in List Form

2026-01-01 11:35