- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.Who dies in the series finale of 'Stranger Things'?

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY January 1, 2026 at 5:20 AM

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Spoiler alert! The following contains details from the series finale of "Stranger Things": "The Rightside Up."

In the end, 99% of our Hawkins heroes got the happy ending they deserved. Maybe 100%.

As the fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" sped toward its New Years Eve finale episode, fans have been speculating about who would live and die in the show's conclusion. The sci-fi series, created by Matt and Ross Duffer, has never been shy about killing characters, from poor Barb (Shannon Purser) in Season 1 to beloved Eddie (Joseph Quinn) in Season 4.

An image from the "Stranger Things" finale.

So it's with probably a lot of shock that the series ended mostly bloodlessly, with only poor Kali/Eight (Linnea Berthelsen) and villainous Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) confirmed to have perished in the finale episode. Kali dies at the hands of one of Dr. Kay's (Linda Hamilton) cruel soldiers, who hates her and El for their supernatural powers. Vecna and his Mind Flayer conspirator are killed by Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the rest of the gang in a big battle sequence that ends with the veiny villain skewered on a spike. He's not quite dead after that, though, and it's Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), who deals a series of fatal blows with an axe, beheading the monster once known as Henry Creel. She even gets a cheesy line before she does it.

But one question is lingering.

Did Eleven live or die in the 'Stranger Things' series finale?

For the final few episodes of the series, Eleven has been reckoning with a life-and-death dilemma. Rescuing Kali from Dr. Kay's lab led her to discover that the evil scientist is trying to create more super-powered kids to fight the Russians (of course) by using Kali and El's blood. Kali wants them both to sacrifice themselves in the name of ending the cycle for good.

El fights with both surrogate dad Hopper (David Harbour) and boyfriend Mike (Finn Wolfhard) about this over the course of the episode. After it seems like our heroes have won the day and get to ride off into the sunset, they are captured by Dr. Kay and her minions. But somehow Eleven isn't among the detainees. She's standing in the gate to the Upside Down, which is about to be destroyed forever by a bomb Hopper and Murray (Brett Gelman) set.

David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things: Season 5.

After a quick psychic conference with Mike, El is blown up with the Upside Down, and the gate to a wormhole and other worlds is closed for good. The show flashes forward 18 months to Hawkins, Indiana rebuilt as an idyllic version of Small Town America. Everybody is happy, except for Mike.

But on the night of his high school graduation, while playing Dungeons & Dragons with his friends, Mike spins a story where El escaped and faked her death, with the help of Kali, whose superpowers involve illusions. In his story, El is somewhere far away and safe, with three waterfalls. The scene flashes to an image of the character, now with long hair and normal clothes, hiking up a stony mountain to a beautiful ridge full of waterfalls.

fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

" style=padding-bottom:56%>"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RzAeU.LnvUOzyLNzaxPp8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/71a106283a6ab3d378bdf2f2384d4d92 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

">"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/RzAeU.LnvUOzyLNzaxPp8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/71a106283a6ab3d378bdf2f2384d4d92 class=caas-img>Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. The third Wheeler sibling has been too young to be included in earlier seasons.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gP0.b5QbUdIoMTabvmJXmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d57749208200c5588520e4daafee530f class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. The third Wheeler sibling has been too young to be included in earlier seasons.

">Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. The third Wheeler sibling has been too young to be included in earlier seasons.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gP0.b5QbUdIoMTabvmJXmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d57749208200c5588520e4daafee530f class=caas-img>"Terminator" star Linda Hamilton makes her debut as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l_ji5F.AMMoqugGsoqpeaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8a7e3a335cbc876082f2687bd513d30 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

"Terminator" star Linda Hamilton makes her debut as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

">"Terminator" star Linda Hamilton makes her debut as Dr. Kay in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/l_ji5F.AMMoqugGsoqpeaQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e8a7e3a335cbc876082f2687bd513d30 class=caas-img>Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qy4Geh.QMahfCvWEtuhLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed8ae652163a17aa9c4bf3d283d2b8f class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

">Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Their teen romance will have to endure apocalyptic problems.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qy4Geh.QMahfCvWEtuhLeg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed8ae652163a17aa9c4bf3d283d2b8f class=caas-img>Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_TyJnIH_U_Lf9gZiI.uJ.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a055de7def60c3f90f97b78e769ef8cc class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

">Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Everyone's favorite friends will have their own trials and tribulations.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_TyJnIH_U_Lf9gZiI.uJ.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a055de7def60c3f90f97b78e769ef8cc class=caas-img>Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Ehuaz_w1.S4RhBhlpWaGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cd442a42b58b3ae7c253851d9fe9793e class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

">Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Max ended Season 4 of the series in a coma caused by villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7Ehuaz_w1.S4RhBhlpWaGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/cd442a42b58b3ae7c253851d9fe9793e class=caas-img>Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8na3IIzRuAQIfof5v2K.fQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e14a5ac256d98855e5088dcb81240fbf class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

">Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Lucas' little sister is a fan favorite.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8na3IIzRuAQIfof5v2K.fQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e14a5ac256d98855e5088dcb81240fbf class=caas-img>Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Mwhvpt.yUEU5Fv7aZhT7jw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e6b0ba459d2bce31adf213a7496d3343 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

">Noah Schnapp as Will Byers and Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in "Stranger Things" Season 5. Will's kidnapping by Vecna into the Upside Down in Season 1 started the whole series of unfortunate events of the show.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Mwhvpt.yUEU5Fv7aZhT7jw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e6b0ba459d2bce31adf213a7496d3343 class=caas-img>The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wwusqG6UtnVdtJ5aAzme2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3596667b10f87f946eadcf642f3dc2a0 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

">The gang's all here: Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in "Stranger Things" Season 5.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wwusqG6UtnVdtJ5aAzme2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3596667b10f87f946eadcf642f3dc2a0 class=caas-img>An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VlX51cBfSMVITokWKgtS6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f92d8833a2986f1cbd9f734f35dc1074 class=caas-img data-headline="Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate" data-caption="

An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

">An image from "Stranger Things" Season 5. Things are looking positively like the end of the world in Hawkins, Indiana.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VlX51cBfSMVITokWKgtS6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f92d8833a2986f1cbd9f734f35dc1074 class=caas-img>

1 / 10Sneak peek photos from 'Stranger Things' Season 5, including Max Mayfield's fate

"Stranger Things" is almost here! The fifth and final season of the Netflix horror series will return Nov. 26 (with subsequent installments on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve). Take a peek at images from the episodes, including Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers.

Mike and his friends don't know if she's alive for certain, and the show doesn't make it clear. There are a few things in favor of his theory. At the moment when El magically escaped the grip of the military, they were blasting the sort of kryptonite sound that causes her immense pain. The El we saw stand in the gate to the Upside Down showed no evidence of (physical) pain. She seemed to disappear from the truck carrying everyone with remarkable speed. And her "sister" Kali seemed to show up in the season out of nowhere, after appearing before only in one widely-hated episode all the way back in Season 2. It's possible Kali was just a plot device to make Eleven's fate all the more ambiguous.

But whether or not she really survived can never be answered by what was shown on screen. Like Mike and his friends, fans will have to choose to believe it or not.

Stranger things have happened on this show.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Stranger Things' finale spoilers − Who dies, who lives?

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