While it’s hard to say goodbye, a Stranger Things main character will likely die in season 5. Last season saw the death of Eddie Munson while Max Mayfield pulled through but was left in a coma. Previous seasons of Stranger Things have teased deaths, only for the characters to return alive the following season. However, season 5 is the series’ final season, so a death seems inevitable. The question isn’t whether or not someone will die but who will be the one to die.
Many aspects play into which characters are more or less likely to die. For example, Stranger Things characters with a strong redemption arc who’ve seemingly completed their evolution are likely to die, while those who haven’t evolved much are less likely. Weaker characters or ones that haven’t been on the series as long wouldn’t leave as much of an impact with their deaths as fan-favorite characters would. That’s why some characters have a very good chance of surviving while others might not have such fortunate fates.
1 Steve Harrington
Steve Harrington had one of the best redemption arcs of Stranger Things. He was once a high school bully who was a lousy match for Nancy, but she felt drawn to him regardless. By season 3, he’d evolved and become a better person. Now his friendships with Nancy, Robin, and Dustin, who is like his younger brother, are a special part of the Netflix series. Unfortunately, his story feels complete, meaning he’s a likely candidate to get killed off during season 5. Steve might sacrifice himself to show how much he’s changed, and it’d be heartbreaking for everyone.
2 Will Byers
Unfortunately, it also seems likely that Will Byers will die. Will’s Stranger Things season 1 disappearance brought everyone together and began their fight against the Upside Down, so his death would be a full circle moment. There are also theories that Will is somehow connected to Vecna and the parallel reality and that defeating Vecna could potentially harm him. If killing Vecna also means killing Will, his friends will be put in a very tough situation. Will could end up sacrificing himself so his friends can be free from the Upside Down and all the monsters who have come out of the alternate reality throughout the series.
3 Eleven
Eleven has the weight of the world on her shoulders, as it’s always her responsibility to save everyone with her powers. Seeing her come out alive at the end of Stranger Things would be a relief. However, her death would also be the ultimate ending for the Netflix series. As the seasons go on, Eleven grows increasingly exhausted from fighting. Vecna is the toughest villain she’s fought so far, and defeating him might suck the life out of her. There’s also a possibility she’ll sacrifice herself, as she did in season 1, bringing the show full circle.
4 Hopper
Like Steve, Hopper didn’t have the best reputation when he first appeared in Stranger Things season 1. He wasn’t necessarily a villain, just a grumpy sheriff who was easier to sympathize with when the story of how his daughter died became apparent. Since then, Hopper has grown into a father figure for Eleven, a shoulder to cry on, and a romantic partner for Joyce. He seemingly died at the end of season 3 but was taken to Russia as a prisoner. There have been theories about his death for seasons of the show, and the Stranger Things finale might kill him for real.
5 Dustin Henderson
Dustin’s potential death is connected to a character who died in Stranger Things season 4. Eddie Munson was Dustin’s close friend from the Hellfire Club who sacrificed himself in the Upside Down to save Dustin’s life. Eddie died in Dustin’s arms, and the traumatizing memory will likely haunt him throughout Stranger Things season 5. Since Vecna preys on people who have experienced trauma, Dustin is the perfect victim. Max was left in a comma from a Vecna attack due to the trauma of her brother’s passing, and Dustin could be headed toward the same fate or something worse.
6 Jonathan Byers
Jonathan didn’t serve much of a purpose in Stranger Things season 4, and unless the new season has a way to make him a crucial character, his death doesn’t feel too likely. However, the one thing that has remained true about Jonathan throughout the seasons is he cares about his younger brother, so Jonathan sacrificing himself to save Will is a possibility. Of course, it would be the most devastating for Will, Joyce, and Nancy, but his death would be underwhelming because Jonathan hasn’t had a redemption arc or evolved much.
7 Mike Wheeler
Mike’s fate is also hard to predict because he’s not as strong of a character as the others. If anything, it feels like Mike has become a weaker Stranger Things character as the show has progressed. His death wouldn’t make much sense unless he died to save Eleven, whom he loved since he found her in the woods in season 1. It would be a romantically tragic end for the two, but still, it seems unlikely. Season 5 would have to dedicate much time to building Mike’s character for his death to feel powerful.
8 Joyce Byers
Joyce’s death in Stranger Things has never really felt likely. It’s always the people around her who have been at risk of dying, and while her death would be unexpected and could add shock value, that’s not really what Stranger Things has ever been after. There’s not much reason to kill off Joyce unless she sacrifices herself to save her son, though this would be almost too devastating for the show. Also, having the series end with Jonathan and Will having no parents, as they don’t have a great relationship with their dad, would be the opposite of a satisfying ending.
9 Max Mayfield
Max’s death might appear to be the most likely since she was in a coma at the end of Stranger Things season 4, and there’s no guarantee she’ll make it out alive. The Duffer Brothers confirmed she’s alive for now, but mentally she is likely somewhere else. Much of Stranger Things season 5 could be dedicated to returning her mind to the real world, and her survival might be crucial to defeating Vecna. There’s also the potential to give her an amazing comeback story once she escapes Vecna. Plus, putting her in a coma, having her come back, and then killing her off feels pointless.
10 Lucas Sinclair
Lucas might become a victim of Vecna in Stranger Things season 5 because he is now dealing with the trauma of almost losing Max. However, the most likely reason for his death would be him saving her, especially because he feels guilty for what happened. He also likely feels guilty for abandoning his friends because he thought he was too cool for them.
Other than this, Lucas’ death feels very unlikely because, like some other characters, he hasn’t had much of an evolution other than becoming less likable in season 4. Of course, Stranger Things could redeem him in season 5 and bring back all his likable qualities from earlier seasons, but his death still feels unlikely.
11 Nancy Wheeler
Nancy’s been in Stranger Things since season 1 and has come a long way since the days of leaving her best friend to die while she snuck off with Steve. However, she’s not exactly hero material, either. It’s unlikely she’d sacrifice herself, and as of now, there’s no reason Vecna would go after her when so many other characters have stronger reasons to be Vecna’s victim. Maybe Nancy will be brave and risk her life to save someone else, but it seems she’ll be okay by the end of the season.
12 Robin Buckley
Robin is certainly one of the most unlikely characters to die. She only came in during season 3, giving fans less time to get to know her. While she’s been great, especially because of the dynamic between her and Steve, her death wouldn’t be impactful. She has no reason to sacrifice herself as she got caught up in everything later than everyone else and doesn’t have as strong a bond with the characters as people like Steve or Eleven. It’s safe to say Robin will be fine by the end of Stranger Things season 5.
