Stranger Things is finally preparing to launch its fifth and final season, and fans are rushing to refresh their memories before the story of Hawkins reaches its end. But with four seasons, dozens of characters, and episodes that stretch past movie-length, rewatching the entire series isn’t realistic for most viewers.
Fortunately, several key episodes stand out as essential to understanding the storylines expected to shape Season 5 — especially the growing threat of Vecna, Eleven’s complex past, and Will Byers’ unfinished connection to the Upside Down. Here are the five must-watch episodes that lay the foundation for the show’s final chapter.
1. “The Vanishing of Will Byers” — Season 1, Episode 1
The pilot episode remains one of the most important in the series. It marks the moment Will is taken into the Upside Down — an event Season 5 will revisit in greater detail. The opening scene of the final season reportedly expands on what happened to him immediately after the abduction.
With Will’s deep connection to Vecna poised to become a driving force in the final storyline, revisiting the episode that started it all is crucial. It’s also a reminder of just how small and vulnerable Hawkins once felt before the supernatural chaos unfolded.
2. “The Spy” — Season 2, Episode 6
This episode dives deeper into Will’s psychic bond with the Mind Flayer. While recovering from an attack, he realizes his memories are being blocked — a clue that the Upside Down is using him as a weapon. Dr. Owens’ mission to the Gate ends in disaster as soldiers are ambushed by Demodogs, revealing Will’s involuntary role as a conduit.
With Will’s lingering sensitivity to Vecna hinted throughout Season 4, rewatching “The Spy” is key to understanding how and why he remains tied to Hawkins’ biggest threat.
3. “The Battle of Starcourt” — Season 3, Episode 8
The explosive Season 3 finale brings the entire cast together for a massive face-off inside the Starcourt Mall. The Mind Flayer’s monster, Billy’s tragic sacrifice, and Max’s emotional fallout all shape major arcs that continue into Season 4 — especially Max’s grief, which leaves her vulnerable to Vecna.
This episode also marks a tonal shift in the show: bigger action, higher stakes, and the beginning of Hawkins’ fragmentation, both emotionally and physically.
4. “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” — Season 4, Episode 7
One of the most important lore-heavy episodes, this nearly 100-minute chapter reveals the truth about Henry Creel, the origins of Vecna, and Eleven’s suppressed memories. It rewrites the narrative around who opened the first Gate and reframes Eleven not as a monster but as someone who tried to stop one.
With Season 5 expected to explore Dimension X, Vecna’s evolution, and the past that ties all these events together, this episode serves as a major narrative blueprint.
5. “The Piggyback” — Season 4, Episode 9
The massive two-and-a-half-hour finale is packed with set-up for Season 5. El and Vecna’s battle escalates, Eddie sacrifices himself, Max is gravely injured, Hopper returns to Hawkins, and the town literally cracks open as the Upside Down bleeds through.
“The Piggyback” lays nearly every plot thread that Season 5 must resolve — making it the single most essential episode to rewatch.
The Bottom Line
With Stranger Things entering its final stretch, these five episodes offer the clearest roadmap to the mysteries ahead — from Will’s psychic connection and Vecna’s origin to the catastrophic breach threatening Hawkins. Watching them provides all the context needed before the final battle begins.
