The Ultimate Stranger Things Timeline Unveiled: A Journey into the Upside Down

Summary

The Stranger Things timeline spans from the founding of Hawkins in the 1800s to the 1970s, with key events in between shaping the story.

The Stranger Things timeline is incredibly complex and requires explanation as the fifth and final season approaches. It started in November 1983 and currently ends in March 1986 with the conclusion of season 4. Additionally, the show alludes to historical events that occurred before and during the characters' lives, ranging from the founding of Hawkins in the 1800s to the 1970s when Eleven and the other kids were born. Understanding the timeline of Stranger Things reveals crucial moments in the series leading up to the final season.

Each season of Stranger Things unfolds over approximately one week. Season 1 takes place in November 1983, season 2 in late October and early November 1984, season 3 in late June and early July 1985 (with a brief October 1985 segment), and season 4 in late March 1986. Considering the intricate nature of the timeline, untangling it is no easy feat. The upcoming fifth season will concludes the series while undeniably adding further complexity. The comprehensive Stranger Things timeline includes all known events mentioned or depicted in the show, providing clarity on certain aspects.

Early Stranger Things Timeline

1800s: The town of Hawkins is founded.

1923: The last person before Will Byers goes missing this year.

In 1961, according to Hopper's account in season 1, the most recent suicide case in Hawkins occurs.

Moving on to 1964, Hopper recalls in a season 4 monologue that he collaborated with the chemical corps to disperse Agent Orange in Vietnam.

1971: Dustin Henderson, Mike Wheeler, Will Byers, Lucas Sinclair, Sara Hopper, and Eleven are born.

1973: Joyce Byers begins working at Melvald's General Store.

A considerable portion of Stranger Things season 2 delved into the origins of Hawkins Lab and the government's role in creating individuals with extraordinary abilities, like Eleven. Consequently, Eleven stumbled upon the revelation that she was not alone in her powers, as Kali emerged as another individual similar to her.

In 1953, the U.S. government approves Project MKUltra, leading Hawkins National Laboratory and numerous other labs in the country to commence experiments.

During the early 1960s, an infant named Kali Prasad is abducted from her residence in London.

1971: Terry gives birth to Eleven and is taken by Brenner.

1973: The truth about MKUltra is revealed to the public and stopped.

Eleven Before Stranger Things

1983: Eleven is placed back into the sensory deprivation tank. During her confinement, she makes physical contact with the Demogorgon, inadvertently creating a portal to the Upside Down. Seizing the opportunity, Eleven manages to flee from Hawkins Lab. Meanwhile, in the eerie Upside Down, the town of Hawkins remains trapped in a frozen state, still unaware of the year being 1983.

1983: Stranger Things Season 1

The main storyline of Stranger Things Season 1 revolves around the search and rescue mission for Will Byers, while also delving into the complexities of Eleven's character and her connection to the secretive Hawkins Lab. The majority of the season spans across a single week, with a small time jump occurring towards the conclusion of the season.

Will Byers is taken to the Upside Down by the Demogorgon.

Homes in Hawkins experience power surges and outages.

Brenner launches an inquiry into the escape of Eleven and the Demogorgon.

At Benny's Burgers, Eleven makes an unexpected appearance, prompting the cook, Hammond, to contact Child Services. Unfortunately, the call mistakenly reaches Hawkins Lab, thereby alerting Brenner and his team. Hastily, they reach Benny's Burgers, ending up murdering Hammond in the process. However, Eleven manages to slip away.

That night, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin find Eleven in the woods as they search for Will.

Eleven is brought back to Mike's house to stay until they figure out what to do.

Tuesday, November 8

The search party for Will turns up nothing.

That night, Nancy and Barb attend the party at Steve's house. While Nancy and Steve are in his room, Barb is abducted by the Demogorgon while sitting by the poolside.

Later that night, Joyce receives another phone call characterized by eerie breathing and witnesses a monstrous creature breaking through the wallpaper. Overwhelmed by fear, she hastily escapes.

Hopper, along with officers Powell and Callahan, uncover additional information about Brenner and Hawkins Lab, revealing his connection to MKUltra.

Meanwhile, Joyce takes on the task of stringing Christmas lights in her house. To her great relief, she manages to establish communication with Will, who urgently advises her to "R-U-N".

Eleven convinces Mike that Will is alive by successfully contacting him through the radio. The boys escort her to their school, where she can use the AV Club's ham radio for another attempt to reach Will.

A Hawkins Lab employee ventures into the Upside Down while secured by a safety line. However, he is suddenly detached from the line and gets forcefully drawn deeper into the Upside Down.

That night, Hopper breaks into Hawkins lab.

Friday, November 11

Will's funeral is held.

Hopper finds evidence of the Upside Down in his house. He goes to Joyce and tells her she was right about Will, then they team up.

Saturday, November 12

Joyce and Hopper find Terry Ives. Terry's sister tells them about her involvement in MKUltra and Terry's belief she had a daughter.

Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Nancy, Jonathan, Joyce, and Hopper collaborate to construct a sensory deprivation tank at Hawkins Middle School with the purpose of aiding Eleven's search for Barb and Will. Upon confirming Barb's demise and Will's enfeebled state due to prolonged exposure, Eleven focuses on the task at hand. Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan strategize and set up traps to combat the Demogorgon. Unexpectedly, Steve arrives and, after a brief conversation, is convinced by Nancy and Jonathan to join forces in their mission to defeat the creature.

Will wakes up in the hospital with his friends all around him.

Hopper is picked up by a government car.

Sunday, November 13

Mike begins trying to contract Eleven. He will do this for the next year.

Sunday, December 11

Will coughs up an Upside Down slug in his bathroom before sitting down to Christmas dinner.

Monday, December 12

Eleven finds Hopper leaving food for her in the woods. Hopper takes her back to his grandfather's cabin in the woods to keep her safe.

Almost a year goes by between Stranger Things seasons 1 and 2, but important events still took place in the interim. In fact, a lot happened.

Dr. Owen takes over at Hawkins Lab.

Hopper and Joyce begin taking Will to Dr. Owens for testing, ensuring that the Upside Down has not caused any lasting damage to him.

A new access point to the Upside Down gate emerges, consisting of a network of tunnels located beneath Hawkins.

Barb's parents hire Murray Bauman to find their daughter.

Joyce starts dating Bob Newby.

The events of Stranger Things season 2 unfold in the year 1984, which is also the backdrop for a portion of season 3. While Will doesn't experience another abduction, he becomes possessed by the Mind Flayer, setting the foundation for the subsequent events. It's important to note that the events of 1984 hold significance not only for the central group of characters but also for the overall narrative of the series.

Monday, October 29

Kali and her gang evade the police in Chicago after pulling off a criminal act.

Billy and Max have their first day at school.

Will goes to an appointment with Dr. Owens.

Hopper is alerted to crop degradation on multiple farms across Hawkins and investigates.

Mike tries to contract Eleven. It's been 352 days since he last saw her.

Mike, Dustin, Will, and Lucas embark on their trick-or-treating adventure when suddenly, Will experiences yet another vision. The group notices his distress and he reveals the unsettling events unfolding, urging them to keep it a secret.

Meanwhile, Eleven eagerly awaits Hopper to join in on the Halloween festivities, only to find herself getting carried away in the excitement, ultimately losing track of time.

Thursday, November 1

Hopper discovers a connection between the crop degradation and Hawkins Lab. He demands Owens and the lab investigate.

Nancy and Jonathan arrange a meeting with Barb's parents but Hawkins Lab intercepts the call.

Will has another vision at school. The Mind Flayer attaches himself to Will's body.

Joyce rushes to school when she is called about Will. She can't get him to wake up and takes him home.

Friday, November 2

Eleven discovers the files on Terry Ives. She tries to contact Terry telepathically in the Void.

Dustin comes home to find Dart has evolved and has eaten his mom's cat.

Hawkins Lab uncovers a fascinating revelation: soil samples exhibit a negative response to heat, suggesting the presence of a hive mind that controls everything, including creatures, in the Upside Down.

Seeking answers, Eleven visits Terry's residence. Eleven's aunt, who is Terry's sister, enlightens her about Terry's past and the events that unfolded. Determined to delve deeper, Eleven ventures into the Void and stumbles upon the recollections of Terry's desperate endeavor to bring her back.

At the same time, lab techs begin burning the tunnels. Will, connected to the Upside Down through the Mind Flayer, falls on the ground convulsing.

Will is rushed to the hospital.

That evening, Eleven gains a deeper understanding of Kali's presence through the collection of old photographs owned by Terry. Becky provides Eleven with the necessary funds to journey to Chicago in search of Kali. The reunion between Eleven and Kali leads to a conversation about their unique abilities.

Sunday, November 4

Kali helps train Eleven to hone her powers.

Eleven gets a vision of what is happening in Hawkins and returns home.

Everyone gathers at the Byers residence, contemplating the hive mind concept, and deduces that it is crucial to extract Will from the control of the Mind Flayer in order to rescue him. Employing a quasi-exorcism procedure, Will manages, in his true self, to communicate a Morse code signal while the Mind Flayer speaks through him. The message he conveys is a simple yet crucial one: "CLOSE GATE."

Monday, November 5th

The door autonomously swings open as Eleven makes her return, embracing Mike and reuniting with the rest of the group.

A strategic plan is devised: Hopper and Eleven will seal off the gateway at the laboratory. Joyce, Jonathan, and Nancy will escort Will to Hopper's cabin, utilizing heat to expel the Mind-Flayer from his body permanently.

Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Steve are successful in burning the tunnels.

Eleven closes the gate to the Upside Down.

November 6 - December 14

Murray Bauman's report on Hawkins Lab shuts it down for good.

Saturday, December 15

Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Max, and Eleven attend the Snow Ball.

The third season of Stranger Things takes the show into uncharted territory. Set during the summer and exploring the Soviet Union, it shifts the spotlight onto the happenings in Hawkins rather than further delving into the Upside Down. Season 3 unravels a gripping conspiracy, packed with thrilling events, all condensed within the span of one intense week.

A power outage engulfs Hawkins, impacting the recently constructed Starcourt Mall.

Brimborn Steel Works, situated on the outskirts of the town, experiences peculiar occurrences, including a massive influx of rats swarming towards the facility.

Saturday, June 29

Rats scurry from across Hawkins in broad daylight to Brimborn. Will, Lucas, Max, and Dustin fail to see them on the hill they are climbing to see up Cerebro.

Nancy, who works late at the Hawkins Post, receives a call from Mrs. Driscoll regarding peculiar behavior of rats in her house. Taking note of it, Nancy plans to conduct an investigation the following day.

Meanwhile, Dustin remains on the hill during nighttime, when his Cerebro machine picks up a Russian communication.

Nancy and Jonathan pay a visit to Mrs. Driscoll, who reveals her belief that the rats had a craving for her fertilizer. Additionally, she presents them with one of the rats she managed to capture, which is displaying abnormal behavior.

Meanwhile, Dustin goes to Scoops Ahoy to meet Steve and informs him about the Russian message.

Hopper visits Town Hall to discuss the Starcourt Mall protesters with Mayor Larry Kline, and while there, he notices a suspicious individual leaving Kline's office.

After being stood up by her current boyfriend, Mike, Eleven spends a day with Max at the mall. By chance, they encounter Lucas, Mike, and Will, but Eleven's anger leads to her ending the relationship with Mike.

During a sleepover, Eleven and Max utilize Eleven's abilities to venture into the Void and secretly observe familiar individuals. While spying on Billy, Eleven witnesses him near Heather, crouched over her. Startled, Billy suddenly locks eyes with Eleven before vanishing completely. Perceiving the incident as peculiar, Eleven confides in Max, and they agree to conduct further investigations the following day.

Monday, July 1

Joyce tells Hopper about the magnets. She theorizes Hawkins Lab has something to do with it. She manages to get Hopper to join her and investigate the lab.

That evening, Joyce and Hopper venture to Hawkins Lab, only to uncover nothing. Suddenly, a Russian soldier named Grigori, the very same enigmatic man Hopper had spotted earlier at Mayor Kline's office, launches an attack on Hopper.

In the chaos, Joyce manages to catch a glimpse of Grigori and even notes down his motorcycle's license plate as he hastily retreats from the scene. Assisting Hopper, she safely escorts him back to his cabin.

Robin and Steve escort Dustin to the rooftop of the mall adjacent to the loading bays where they stumble upon alert armed guards diligently observing as delivery personnel and couriers diligently unload numerous boxes into the storage area.

Nancy and Jonathan return to Driscoll's residence. They encounter her exhibiting peculiar behavior, consuming fertilizer. Without hesitation, they immediately contact the authorities, who promptly transport Driscoll to the hospital.

Hopper and Joyce arrive at Town Hall, confronting Kline about a man named Grigori. Kline discloses that Grigori is employed by a Russian group aiming to acquire various properties, such as the Starcourt Mall and old farms surrounding the Hawkins power plant.

Determined to uncover the Russians' intentions, Hopper and Joyce decide to explore one of the farm sites. Under the cover of darkness, they stumble upon Alexei laboring in the basement of the Hess farmhouse. Unfortunately, Grigori discovers Hopper and Joyce's presence at Hess farms, prompting the pair to apprehend Alexei and escape.

Mike successfully convinces Eleven and Max to come to his house. Will discloses to the group that he senses the presence of the Mind Flayer, suggesting it may still be around even after Eleven sealed the gate. In agreement with Max, Eleven expresses her concerns about Billy, suspecting that he might be the new host of the Mind Flayer.

To confirm their suspicions, the group conducts a heat test, as the Mind Flayer has a strong aversion to heat. They lure Billy into the sauna at the local pool and manage to trap him inside. As anticipated, Billy displays signs of being possessed. The group valiantly fights against him, determined to overpower the dark forces within.

Whilst on duty at Scoops Ahoy, Robin suggests to Steve and Dustin that they should try navigating through the air ducts to gain access to the loading bay. She believes this will help them uncover the mysterious activities of the Russians in Stranger Things. The only person who can fit into the ducts that lead to the room is Erica, Lucas's younger sister.

Erica bravely maneuvers through the ducts and successfully opens the door. Inside, the group discovers a peculiar substance within one of the boxes. Suddenly, they find themselves trapped as the room transforms into an elevator and begins to descend.

Hopper and Joyce bring Alexei to Murray's residence in Illinois, seeking his translation skills to uncover the purpose of the Russian presence in Hawkins.

Alexei discloses that the Russians aim to unlock the Upside Down portal, and the one situated in Hawkins is particularly susceptible to their plans.

The Mind Flayer dispatches Tom and Bruce, a reporter at the Hawkins Post who has been possessed, with the task of eliminating Nancy and Jonathan.

Tom and Bruce undergo a transformation, their bodies liquefy and meld together, shaping into a menacing creature from the Upside Down, which proceeds to assault Nancy. However, Eleven intervenes and successfully slays the monstrous entity, while the children observe the remnants of the creature retreat through the sewers, disappearing back towards Brimborn.

Dustin, Erica, Robin, and Steve make it to Russian HQ. They see the scientists trying to open the gate to the Upside Down.

Thursday, July 4

Robin and Steve are captured by the Russians while Erica and Dustin manage to flee through the air ducts. The Russians proceed to administer a truth serum and interrogate Robin and Steve.

Meanwhile, Nancy, Jonathan, and the rest of the kids retreat to Hopper's cabin. Eleven enters the Void and encounters Billy, who reveals that the Upside Down creatures have plans to take over Hawkins. Furthermore, Billy informs Eleven that he and every other creature from the Upside Down will be keeping a close watch on her.

Hopper, Joyce, and Murray successfully avoid Grigori following their enticement to the amusement park from Kline and manage to flee the scene after Grigori shoots Alexei. Upon receiving Dustin's distress signal, they immediately make their way to Starcourt.

A strategic plan is formulated: The adults will take charge of closing the gate located in the Russian laboratory beneath Starcourt, with Erica and Dustin serving as their guides due to their familiarity with the route. Meanwhile, Eleven will team up with Max and Mike to confront Billy. Nancy, Jonathan, Robin, Steve, Lucas, Max, and Will intend to launch an attack on the Upside Down creature when it arrives at the mall.

The closed gate kills the monster.

Dr. Owens and the U.S. military arrive at Starcourt and immediately get to work.

Kline is apprehended and removed from office as the mayor of Hawkins.

The Cutting Edge, a news program, airs a promotional advertisement for an upcoming investigative report that delves into the multitude of inexplicable events that have occurred in Hawkins over the past two years.

It is revealed that at a prison in Kamchatka, Russia, there is an American prisoner and a Demogorgon. It is unclear how the Russians got hold of them.

October 1985 ​​​​​

Max, Lucas, Dustin, Mike, and Nancy help the Byers pack up their house. The Byers family moves away from Hawkins.

1986: Stranger Things Season 4

Sunday, March 16

A popular student named Chrissy has her very first vision from the season's villain, Vecna.

A pep rally at Hawkins High sees bully Jason Carver talking about the strange deaths that have occurred over the years.

Joyce gets a disturbing package from Russia containing a Russian doll.

Eddie Munson and the Hellfire Club, a Dungeons & Dragons group, are introduced, and the Hawkins kids are among its members. They request to reschedule their meeting because Lucas has a basketball game, but they are compelled to find a substitute, Erica.

Joyce reaches out to Murray, and together they destroy the doll, which contains a message disclosing that Hopper is alive.

Saturday, March 22

Chrissy's body is found and Eddie is the main suspect.

Murray and Joyce dial the number listed on the note and are instructed to travel to Alaska in order to locate Hopper.

Jason and the other members of the basketball team, including Lucas, embark on a mission to locate Eddie, as they suspect he is responsible for Chrissy's homicide.

Fred Benson is killed by Vecna.

Joyce lies about going to a conference so she can travel to Alaska.

Sunday, March 23

El is arrested for assaulting Angela but is saved by Sam Owens so that she can join the Nina Project, in order to restore her powers.

Joyce and Murray fly to Alaska to meet a Russian smuggler named Yuri Ismaylov.

Nancy and Robin research Victor Creel to find out that his whole family was killed and he blamed it on a demon.

Max catches sight of Vecna's clock in the hallway, sealing his fate with an undeniable curse.

Federal agents intercept Mike, Will, and Jonathan, delivering the daunting news that Eleven has fallen into the clutches of Owens and Brenner, entangled in the treacherous Nina Project of Stranger Things. Moreover, they disclose the harrowing revelation of a nefarious force relentlessly striving to conquer the serene town of Hawkins.

Steve, Lucas, and Dustin delve deeper into their investigation of the Creel murders, aiming to establish a connection between the unfortunate event and Vecna alongside the mysterious Upside Down.

In the meantime, Nancy and Robin pay a visit to Victor Creel, who is confined at the Pennhurst Mental Hospital. It is during their encounter that Victor discloses a crucial revelation – the power of music holds the potential to break free from Vecna's curse.

Hopper manages to escape the prison but is recaptured.

Antonov is betrayed by Yuri and is thrown in prison.

Max falls under Vecna's curse while paying a visit to Billy's grave, but her favorite song comes to her rescue thanks to Dustin, Lucas, and Steve.

Agent Harmon, on the verge of death, reveals to Mike, Will, and Jonathan a specific number that holds the key to finding Eleven.

Eddie, Robin, Steve, and Nancy go to the lake where they find a portal to the Upside Down and go through it.

Hopper faces off against a Demogorgon in prison and is able to fend it off.

Patrick McKinney is the next to be cursed by Vecna at Chrissy's funeral.

Jason and the basketball team continue on their hunt for Eddie, now believing that Lucas is helping hide him.

Patrick McKinney dies at Vecna's hands.

Eleven regains her powers but decides to continue with the Nina Project to access her repressed memories.

Steve, Eddie, and Robin are able to escape the Upside Down through a portal in Eddie's trailer, but Nancy is captured by Vecna.

Wednesday, March 26

Eleven removes the chip implanted in Henry Creel/One/Vecna's arm, restoring his powers. With his abilities regained, he ruthlessly slaughters every member of the Hawkins Lab personnel and the children.

While trapped in the Upside Down, Nancy learns about Vecna's past.

Mike and the California group travel to the location in Nevada.

Brenner explains to Eleven that she fell into a coma after banishing Vecna and repressed her memories.

Eleven breaks out of the missile silo, and she reunites with Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Argyle.

Max, Lucas, and Erica go to the Creel house.

Hopper, Joyce, and Murray escape the Russian prison.

Thursday, March 27

Joyce, Hopper, and Murray revisit the prison with the intention of eliminating the hive mind of the Demogorgons in order to create a temporary distraction for the children.

In her relentless quest against Vecna, Max finds herself cursed once more, leaving Lucas desperately attempting to rouse her from unconsciousness.

Jason catches up with Lucas and Max, and begins to fight Lucas, which causes Max's walkman to break.

Before Vecna can kill Max, he is thrown away by Eleven from her isolation tank.

Eleven breaks free of Vecna and throws him away from Max again, but Max goes into a coma.

Vecna is defeated — for now. However, Eddie is mortally wounded by the Demobats.

Mike, Eleven, and the California group make it back to Hawkins.

The red cracks that appeared throughout Hawkins are dismissed as an earthquake that caused 22 casualties by the local media.

Max is at the hospital, comatose and in a full-body cast.

Hopper and Joyce return to Hawkins.

The Stranger Things timeline is already brimming with details to keep track of, but the final season promises to introduce even more. While Stranger Things season 5 is still a distant prospect and much remains unconfirmed, one thing is certain: the timeline for the concluding season will pose a challenge. The show has perennially grappled with the rapid aging of its young actors, making it increasingly difficult to suspend disbelief and accept them as teenagers. This predicament will only worsen in season 5 due to ongoing actor and writer strikes in Hollywood, causing disruptions to production schedules.