Top 10 Stranger Things Moments

Hmmm… maybe this list should actually go up to… eleven. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Stranger Things Season 1 Moments.

For this list, we’re taking a look at the most memorable scenes from the first season of Netflix’s hit supernatural drama. If you haven’t binge-watched this phenomenal show yet, keep in mind that spoilers lie ahead.

This love letter to ‘80s pop culture had us hooked from its first several minutes, calling to mind the works of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. During a heated “Dungeons & Dragons” campaign, a dreaded Demogorgon appears and gets Will Byers. Will’s worst nightmare comes to life as he rides his bike home that night when a shadowy monster suddenly appears. The young boy seeks refuge in a shack behind his house, but he can’t hide from the stranger things that go bump in the night. As Will vanishes into thin air, the audience is left completely breathless. With a foreboding atmosphere, menacing lighting, and powerful buildup, this scene perfectly set the mood for the whole season.

Audiences formed an immediate connection with the character Barb Holland, who stood out as a good role model. So we were all pretty bummed when she died after only a couple of episodes. Abandoned by best friend Nancy, Barb sits alone poolside. A cut on her hand attracts the Demogorgon and she disappears into the Upside-Down. The following episode opens on a genuinely creepy note, as Barb finds herself at the monster’s mercy. While Nancy loses her virginity to Steve, poor Barb is dragged back down into the empty pool and lets out one last scream. Barb’s life was cut short, but the character developed a cult following almost instantly. Who knows if it’s the last we’ll see of her?

With a shaved head, a limited vocabulary, and telekinetic powers, Eleven – or El as her friends call her – is a mystery wrapped in an enigma, smothered in secret sauce. While she’s somehow connected to the Demogorgon and the Upside-Down, it’s unclear how this little girl fits into the puzzle. The pieces start falling into place in this flashback, as El recalls an ill-fated day at Hawkins Laboratory. Submerged in a sensory-deprivation tank, El uses her abilities to locate a Russian secret agent. Going deeper than ever before, she not only finds the Soviet spy, but a monster as well. El accidentally opens the portal to the Upside-Down, setting everything in motion. This revelation adds to El’s guilt, as she contemplates whether or not she’s the real monster.

The showrunners threw a curveball at the audience when Will’s body was uncovered at the quarry. While part of us suspected that he was somehow still alive, this twist raised numerous questions nonetheless. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long to get some answers. Overcome with suspicion, Chief Jim Hopper decides to get a closer look at Will’s corpse. Although the body seems authentic on the outside, Hopper isn’t so sure. Conducting a makeshift autopsy, he discovers that Will’s innards are actually cotton. It’s a truly shocking moment that had us all on pins and needles.

Although the series has its darker scenes, they’re balanced with many sweet and humorous moments. Anything involving Mike and El is bound to put a smile on your face and the romance between these two kids peaks in the season one finale, as Mike and El discuss the future. Mike promises to take El in and make her part of his family, but tries to make it clear that she wouldn’t be his sister. Hoping to get out of the friend zone, Mike confesses his feelings and asks his crush to the Snowball dance. His declaration of love comes complete with a kiss, amounting to the most precious moment in the series thus far.

Steve Harrington might’ve started out as a possessive jerk, but he finds redemption as season one nears its close and kicks it into high gear. Regretting his poor behavior, Steve knocks on Jonathan’s door to make amends. He couldn’t have picked a worse time to drop by, however, as Jonathan and Nancy are trying to lure the Demogorgon. Following the initial attack, Steve decides to make a break for it. As the lights flicker on and off, though, the reformed bad boy realizes that he can’t leave Nancy and Jonathan to face the monster alone. In a scene that had us screaming and cheering simultaneously, Steve comes to the rescue and the three set the creature ablaze. So… are you Team Jonathan or Team Steve?

As Chief Hopper points out early on in the series, jumping off the quarry’s cliff is destined to end badly. When a couple of bullies threaten Dustin, however, Mike is forced to endanger his own well being. Hearts stopped when Mike walked over the edge. We were able to sigh in relief, though, as he began levitating in midair. Sighs turned to cheers as El shows up just in time to save her friends and give the bullies a piece of her powerful mind. In this triumphant moment, Dustin yells loud and clear that he accepts Eleven. As El’s friends assure her that she isn’t a monster, they all share a loving embrace. Aw…

By writing the alphabet on the wall and setting up some Christmas lights, Joyce is able to make contact with her missing son. Spelling out words with the lights, Will informs his mother that he’s alive, although nowhere near safe. Through one three-letter word, Will tells his mom to get out of the house. As the Demogorgon emerges out of the wall, Joyce takes her son’s advice and runs. Reminiscent of “Poltergeist” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” this scene flawlessly mixes elements of fantasy and horror. Overflowing with suspense and dread, it left us all covered in goose bumps and eager for more.

This is the moment that the entire first season had been building to, and it more than delivered. Wearing Hazmat suits, Chief Hopper and Joyce boldly venture through the gate to rescue Will, giving viewers their best look into the Upside-Down so far. Upon discovering an unconscious Will, Hopper yanks a grotesque creature out of his mouth and performs CPR. As Will is revived, the audience finally feels a sense of relief. After a long separation, seeing Joyce reunited with her son is beyond satisfying. The experience also proves therapeutic for Hopper, who’s finally able to cope with the loss of his own child.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Eleven Flips the D&D Board
- Eleven Flips Van
- Floating in Pool

Eleven has undeniably been responsible for some of the show’s most badass moments... like when she stared down the bad men and made their brains explode. However, her definitive moment occurs during the final confrontation with the Demogorgon. When Lucas’ slingshot proves ineffective, El uses her powers to press the monster up against the wall. Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for her friends, El bids Mike a heartbreaking farewell. She then disappears along with the creature. Viewers can only keep their fingers crossed that El will be back for more Eggos in season two. But if this is the end of El, at least she went out on the most heroic note possible.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite moment from “Stranger Things” season one? For more entertaining Top 10s published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.