Who Is The Best Stranger Things Character

Okay, let's get the hard part out of the way first — there is no right answer here. Asking who the best Stranger Things character is feels a lot like asking someone to pick their favorite kid. But we're going to do it anyway, because arguing about fictional characters is one of the simple joys of life.

So grab your Eggo waffles, settle in, and let's take a friendly stroll through Hawkins to figure out who really deserves the crown. Spoiler alert: you might change your tune with every paragraph. And honestly? That's the beauty of it.

Eleven: The Girl With All The Powers

You can't talk about Stranger Things without talking about Eleven first. Not because she's the obvious pick, although she absolutely is, but because she's the reason the whole show even exists.

From the moment she smashed that Eggo on her plate, audiences were hooked. Millie Bobby Brown turned a character with almost no dialogue into one of the most compelling heroes on television.

Eleven is scrappy, vulnerable, and capable of hurling a vending machine across a store when she's angry. What's not to love? Her bond with Mike also gives us one of the purest, most awkward, and most relatable young romances we've ever seen.

Joyce Byers: The Mom Who Would Not Quit

If Eleven is the engine of the show, Joyce Byers is its heartbeat. Winona Ryder brings a level of raw, desperate energy to Joyce that makes every scene feel urgent and real.

Picture it: Christmas lights blinking out a name, an empty child's room, and a neighbor who thinks you've lost it. Joyce does not care one bit what anyone thinks — she just wants her kids back.

Her maternal fierceness is so intense that it's almost comedic at times, and we love her for it. Also, she somehow keeps decorating that house with twinkle lights even after the whole thing got destroyed. Iconic.

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Dustin Henderson: The Heart Of The Party

Now we have to talk about Dustin, because if you don't, the man will talk to you for two hours straight about his hair situation alone. Gaten Matarazzo plays him with such charm that every single scene he's in becomes ten times more fun.

Dustin is the self-appointed comic relief who actually has great ideas and even better loyalty. Remember his speech to Steve at the end of Season 2? Instant tears. Every. Single. Time.

His friendship with Steve basically saved that character's arc, and for that, Dustin deserves a medal. Or at least a very nice cap for his semi-healthy hair.

Steve Harrington: From Villain To Legend

Let's be real — Steve starts out as the classic 80s bully boyfriend, and most of us wanted Dustin to bop him one right from the start. Fast-forward two seasons and he's out there swinging a nail bat like the king of Hawkins.

His transformation from popular jerk to babysitting dad-figure for the whole gang is one of the most satisfying arcs in the show. Joe Keery makes the evolution feel natural, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt.

Steve doesn't have superpowers or telekinetic abilities, but he has sheer determination and a love for his friends that would make anyone proud. Add in that hair, and you've got an all-around legend.

Top Ten Best Stranger Things Characters at Miguelina Cotten blog

Jim Hopper: The Troubled Sheriff

Hopper walks into a room like he's been carrying the weight of Hawkins on his shoulders — because, well, he kind of has been. David Harbour plays him with a perfect balance of gruffness and hidden softness.

He's a guy who lost everything and is trying to rebuild himself one case at a time. His unexpected relationship with Eleven and Joyce gives the show some of its warmest moments.

A whole season sacrificed for the Upside Down without a word? That's a man who understands duty. Also, he's absolutely massive, so nobody's questioning him anytime soon.

Max Mayfield: The Skateboard Queen

Max might've arrived late to the crew, but she made an entrance like she'd been there all along. Sadie Sink brings an edge and independence that the group sorely needed.

Her Running Up That Hill rescue in Season 4 is hands down one of the greatest sequences the show has ever delivered. It's got style, emotion, music, and stakes all packed into one unforgettable moment.

Max also represents something important — not every hero needs a backstory of trauma to be brave and compelling. Sometimes they just need good taste in music. Period.

The 15 Best Stranger Things Characters

So… Who Wins?

Here's where it gets tricky, friend. You could argue anyone on this list and honestly make a solid case. The genius of Stranger Things is that it builds a team, not a solo act.

Every character brings something unique: Eleven's power, Joyce's grit, Dustin's heart, Steve's growth, Hopper's loyalty, and Max's fire. Remove one, and the whole thing kind of falls apart — much like Demogorgon battles go.

The truth is, the best character is probably whichever one you personally connect with most. And that makes this show endlessly rewatchable and endlessly discussed by teens, adults, and everyone in between.

The Real Answer

If you absolutely forced me to pick, I'd say Eleven — but only because she started the chaos and somehow ended up wholesaler than everyone else despite growing up in a lab.

But don't let that stop you from championing Joyce or Dustin or Steve or whoever made your heart sing. Stranger Things thrives because its characters feel like friends we'd actually want around when the lights go out.

So here's to Hawkins, to Eggo waffles, to nail bats and Christmas lights — and to the wonderful characters that made us laugh, cry, and scream at our TVs. No matter who you choose, you've already won the most important thing: great taste. Now go tell your friends why they're wrong — and have fun doing it! 😄