10 Stranger Things characters ranked by how likely they are to die next

Stranger Things is one of the most loved TV shows in today's time, but it has also never shied away from breaking the hearts of its fans. It is known for introducing a cool character in the show, hyping up their character arc, only to kill it off mercilessly in the last episode.

From Barb in Season 1 to Billy Hargrove in Season 3, and Eddie in Season 4, the makers love to put their fans down with emotional gut punches. Many fans have still recovered from the way Bob died in Season 2. As Stranger Things is nearing its end, fans are already fearing who will get killed this season.

And because it's the final season, the stakes are higher than ever, and not every character will make it alive. The question is who? No one knows yet, but there are no taxes for taking guesses.

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10 Stranger Things characters ranked by how likely they are to die next

One thing is for sure: anyone who doesn't have superpowers to fight unnatural beings is at risk of dying easily on the show. So, that significantly reduces the risk of Eleven dying easily. So, based on the character arc, emotional impact, and their importance, let's rank other characters who are most likely to die next. One being most likely and ten being the least.

1) Steve Harrington

Steve (Joe Keery) is one of the most loved Stranger Things characters. He is sweet, caring, handsome, and has the most gorgeous hair. If looks could kill, then he would have killed all the demogorgons in seconds and been the show's star. His role is not only to be the handsome one but also to be the big brother to all those kids throughout the show.

He has been in death-defying situations multiple times and has fought monsters while screaming in fear. His love for the kids, especially Dustin (played by Gaten Matarazzo), makes him do crazy stuff like beat demogorgons with his bat and jump into Vecna's lair to fight off flying birds. His willingness to run towards physical danger is unbelievable and could be the reason that he dies next.

2) Murray Bauman

Murray (Brett Gelman) is funny, cautious, and resourceful. He is a conspiracy theorist, which means he is always up for adventures, and makes him susceptible to dying. If a monster doesn't kill him, then the government will. Murray Bauman's constant itch to expose the federal government will get him noticed by them, and one day he will disappear forever.

His character arc is of those side characters who contribute a lot to the story and need to die in the end to make an impact on the audience. Also, if nothing works for the writers, they might get him killed at the hands of Erica for annoying her too much.

3) Robin Buckley

Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) appeared on Stranger Things out of nowhere and instantly made everyone fall in love with her. She entered the demogorgon scene in Season 3 and brought sarcasm and empathy in abundance to the show. Her close friendship with Steve, coupled with her knack for helping out friends in times of dire need, makes her privy to many dangers.

Her addition to the cast made people process the heartbreak of losing Barb in Season 1 much easier, but at the same time, she can become the new Barb. Her friendship with Steve could be used for emotional impact, making her potential death even more shocking and meaningful to the storyline. Likely, she will die saving someone.

4) Jim Hopper

From the start, Jim Hopper (David Harbour) has been the kind of character who needed to do something really big to redeem himself. His backstory of being a lazy, depressed police chief who rose to the occasion has been one of the most interesting storylines of the show. And in every season of Stranger Things, if there is one character fans are worried about losing, it is him.

He even 'died' once and made half of the Earth's population fall into depression. His return was celebrated like he were a real-life war veteran. So, in case showing a kid die is too much for the audience to see, then the next probable choice would be Hopper. It would be heroic and emotional as hell.

5) Jonathan Byers

Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) started as an important supporting character in Season 1, but gradually it seemed like his work finished in that season. In the following seasons, his storyline didn't seem to have any impact. Nancy, Joyce, and Will all have sturdy stories that add value each season, but his one seems to be lost somewhere.

So, it seems plausible to just put him out of his misery, whereby he will sacrifice himself, giving him an important end. This will motivate Joyce, Nancy, and Will to avenge his death and end the show on a high note.

6) Max Mayfield

Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) is the younger version of Hopper on Stranger Things. She entered the show as a character with a brooding personality, heavy emotional baggage, and a killer taste in music. She already died once after her brutal encounter with Vecna before being pulled back by Eleven. So that puts her on Vecna's list and makes her an easy target for him.

Her death would be devastating not only for Lucas and Eleven but also for the fans. Her courage and loyalty towards her friends, especially in deadly situations, can get her seriously hurt or killed at any point, as seen in the last season. But, because she is an important character, the chances of her dying are low but not zero.

7) Will Byers

Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) is the guy who brought doom to Hawkins, being the one who started it all, and just for recompense, he might be the one who ends it all. He has been through one of the roughest journeys on Stranger Things. Even when Eleven's miseries ended, and she found a home for herself, this guy's life would be getting worse with every passing season.

From being lost in the Upside-Down, to being possessed by aliens, feeling like an outsider among his friends, while watching the love of his life cozy up with his girlfriend right next to him, Will has gone through all the stages of grief. He might be the key to defeating Vecna, and it could come at the cost of his life.

8) Dustin Henderson

Like Steve, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) is one of the most loved characters on the show. His quirky one-liners and technologically advanced brain make him an important character on Stranger Things and less likely to die. He has been defeating monsters from the start, and even had one as a pet (remember Dart the Demodog?).

He is heroic but also cautious; he will jump into danger to save his friends, but will have protective gear and a plan B ready. So, there is a low chance of him dying, but the possibility of the same cannot be ruled out completely.

9) Nancy Wheeler

Unlike her boyfriend, Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) is a tough and smart ally to have when being hunted by a monster. Her journey from a shy high schooler to a fierce monster hunter has been one of the most impressive coming-of-age storylines in Stranger Things.

If there is one supporting character in the show destined to make it alive till the end, it is Nancy. The only way she will ever die is by protecting her loved ones, which would be a trigger for Steve and Mike, and a wake-up call for Jonathan.

10) Mike Wheeler

Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) is the central character of Stranger Things, second only to Eleven, so killing him off won't sit right with the fans. Putting him in grave danger is a possibility, but killing him doesn't seem likely. Also, the chances of Mike dying are almost nil because he is directly under the protection of Eleven herself. She would send everyone to the Upside Down before letting anyone harm Mike.

The only reason Mike would be killed is if the writers plan an epic fight between Vecna and Eleven, and Eleven annihilating him in the most gruesome way after being traumatized by Mike's death. However, since it's Stranger Things, it is unlikely to show any bloodbath.

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The beauty of Stranger Things is that the show is a roller coaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end. It perfectly balances elements of drama, thriller, horror, and comedy. It's already heartbreaking that the show is ending, but let's wait and see how many more surprises it has in store for the fans.