‘Stranger Things’ Pay Revealed: What the Cast Earned From Season 1 to 5

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After five seasons, the popular Netflix series Stranger Things has concluded. When it debuted in 2016, it became a surprising success, and few predicted it would last for almost a decade. Filming wrapped up on the final episodes in early 2026, bringing the story to a definitive close, though some fans are still hoping for one more installment.

The series quickly became incredibly popular, launching the careers of several young actors into international stardom and providing significant income for those involved. Later reports detailing cast salaries revealed a substantial difference in earnings between the show’s most prominent stars and the rest of the cast.

Winona Ryder and David Harbour were the highest-paid actors on the show, according to The Direct. They were considered “tier one” talent, earning approximately $350,000 per episode by the start of season three.

Each of the main actors made approximately $9.5 million for the fifth and final season of the show. Considering their work on all five seasons, especially playing their roles as Joyce and Hopper since the beginning, they’ve each earned an estimated $17 million overall. Winona Ryder was reportedly the highest-paid cast member, reflecting her established career and celebrity status prior to joining Stranger Things.

When the show first began, the younger actors earned significantly less money. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the child actors made between $20,000 and $30,000 for each episode in the initial seasons.

As the show became more popular, the actors’ salaries quickly rose. Millie Bobby Brown, who played Eleven, quickly became a standout performer. She uniquely negotiated her compensation directly with Netflix, rather than accepting a standard rate. Because she also appeared in other Netflix shows, the exact amount she earned from Stranger Things remains confidential.

Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Noah Schnapp, and Caleb McLaughlin moved up to a higher pay grade starting with the third season of the show, earning approximately $250,000 per episode. Sadie Sink later joined them at this pay level. Reports indicate these actors each made around $7 million for the final season, and those who were on the show from the beginning are estimated to have earned over $11 million in total.

Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, and other supporting cast members also earned significant income, though less than the show’s leads. Starting with season three, they each reportedly received around $150,000 per episode.

The actors received another pay raise for the last season, bringing their income to around $750,000 per episode. This means they earned approximately $8.5 million in total. Maya Hawke, having joined the show later, earned a bit less because she wasn’t in the earlier seasons.

Let’s talk about the pay on this show – it wasn’t equal across the board, that’s for sure. While the big names were raking it in, the actors with smaller roles got significantly less. Tristan Spohn, who played a character called Two in five episodes of season four, recently revealed he earned around $15,000 per episode. He was credited as a ‘recurring guest star,’ which meant he was far down the pay scale compared to the main cast. It really highlights the disparity in how actors are compensated, even on a successful show.

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2026-01-06 10:15