Summary
2025 marks the end of nearly a decade ofStranger Thingsdominating pop culture,with its 80s sci-fi storytellingmixed with horror themes creating a transfixing show seen all around the world. Following a group of up-to-no-good kids who discover an alternative world filled with evil after the disappearance of a friend and the discovery of a girl with superpowers,Stranger Things' intoxicating story has provided boatloads of memorable characters.
While characters like Eleven and Hopper have become some of the most iconic television characters of the 21st century,Stranger Thingshas thrived through the camaraderie and friendship between particular characters. Whether it’s comedic dynamics or heartfelt connections,Stranger Thingsbeholds an array of spectacular friendships that have become a mainstay in mainstream culture.
9Joyce & Murray
Quirky Duo That Traveled To The Other End Of The World
One of season 4’s strongest partnerships is the eccentric tandem of Joyce Byers and Murray Bauman. After initially meeting when Hopper and Joyce brought Alexei to Murray, Joyce and Murray are involved in the plot to eliminate the Russian attempts to open the gate to The Upside Down, resulting in the supposed death of Hopper.
In season 4, Joyce and Murray figure out the possibility that Hopper survived, with the character located in Russia, resulting in the tandem traveling to save Hopper. Joyce and Murray start off as reluctant partners. However, when trying to rescue Hopper, theirentertaining and hilariousdynamics provide some of the most amusing moments in the latest season, with their bickering and extreme antics on the path to Russia and in the presence of Hopper being truly chaotic.
8Nancy & Jonathan
Slow-Burn Couple Who Are Keen Investigators
Since the show’s start, Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers have had an instant spark and romantic connection, even despite Nancy’s initial relationship with Hawkins High School’s proclaimed king, Steve Harrington. In their grief and internalinvestigation into Will Byers and Barbara’s disappearances, Nancy and Jonathan grow closer, with romantic sparks flying, eventually resulting in the pair falling for each other.
Even with the young couple’s highs and lows, including their long-distance relationship with Jonathan being stationed in California, Nancy and Jonathan have been a permanent fixture that has heldStranger Thingstogether.
7Max & Lucas
Loving Relationship That Has Its Share Of Ups And Downs
Upon arriving in season 2, Max Mayfield has had a tremendous impact onStranger Thingsand its narrative, with Lucas Sinclair becoming immediately infatuated with the rogue individual despite her closeted and loner attitude. After opening up, Max and Lucas begin a romantic relationship that mirrors typical high school romances, with their awkward shows of affection and bickering coming across as sweet and earnest.
In season 4, Max and Lucas' relationship hits the rocks amidstthe death of Max’s brother, Billy, causing a wave of depression to engulf Max, and Lucas drifts to a different crowd at school. However, despite all the turmoil, Lucas and Max reunite as Vecna tries to claim Max, with Lucas being on hand to save and comfort Max in one of the show’s most sweeping and emotional sequences.
6Mike & Eleven
Puppy Love Between Kids Who Found Comfort In One Another
Two ofStranger Things' main protagonists, Eleven and Mike Wheeler, have forever been intertwined since their fateful first meeting in the opening episode of the show’s first season.Along with Eleven’s gradual developmentand integration into society, Mike has held her hand every step of the way, being close to the troubled youth.
As their puppy love develops, Mike and Eleven go through the ups and downs of teenage romance, including a long-distance relationship after Eleven, Will, Jonathan, and Joyce head to California. However, not even the distance can separate the pair, with their strong kinship and bond prevailing through all the tumultuous situations they endure.
5Eddie & Dustin
Hellfire Club Members That Quickly Rub Off On Each Other
Introduced in season 4, Joseph Quinn’s Eddie quickly became a fan favorite, even becoming a dear friend to Dustin as the Hellfire members embark on a tumultuous journey that ends in sorrow and tragedy. From the get-go, Eddie takes Dustin under his wing, allowing Mike, Dustin, and Lucas tojoin his DnD club, Hellfire, where the nerdy gang finds a home in high school.
After Eddie is accused of murdering Chrissy, Dustin goes to the ends of the Earth to find his friend, with the crew and Eddie becoming involved in yet another dark and demented plot associated with The Upside Down. Emerging as an elder role model for Dustin, Eddie’s dramatic and sudden death pulled on all the heartstrings, especially Dustin’s, with their bond and chemistry being one of the season’s brightest.
4Eleven & Hopper
Found Family That Acts As Father And Daughter
For most of Eleven’s early life, the character has been mistreated and hidden away from society, not before her eventual coming together with Hawkins' chief of police, Hopper. After Eleven aids in saving Will and evaporating a Demogorgon, Eleven disappears from Mike and the gang, holing up with Hopper in his hidden cabin, with Hopper and Eleven coming to have a father-daughter relationship as the town’s sheriff keeps her safe from governmental bodiesinterested in the superpowered girl.
Despite Hopper’s harsh rules and overbearing nature, considering the loss of his daughter, which rubs Eleven the wrong way, Eleven comes to love and consider Hopper as her dad, with their emotional reunion after a presumably dead Hopper returns to Hawkins, only emphasizing the strong and loving bond the pair share.
3Steve & Robin
From Work Colleagues To Best Friends
While Steve bounces off well with most of theStranger Thingscharacters, his interactions and chemistry with Robin starting in season 3 are fun and chaotic. Working at the establishment Scoops Ahoy at Starcourt Mall, Robin and Steve quickly become more than work colleagues, withRobin joining Steve, Dustin, and Ericain deciphering the Russian schemes taking place under the nose of Hawkins.
Along with their friendly banter and teasing, Robin and Steve both find comfort in one another as Robin shares her sexuality with Steve, with the former jock showing nothing but love and understanding for his quirky friend. As Robin gets drawn into the foreign world of The Upside Down and Russian interference alongside the usual suspects, Steve and Robin’s bond only grows stronger, becoming best friends in the process.
2Hopper & Joyce
From Allies To Lovers
Through thick and thin, Hopper and Joyce have been an integral and tight-knit duo constantly caught up in the chaos that haunts Hawkins. Initially trying to keep Joyce in check after the disappearance of Will, Joyce and Hopper develop a heartfelt connection and understanding throughtheir investigations and shared traumatic experiences, involving the rescue of Will in The Upside Down, and the sudden loss of Bob at Hawkins Lab.
Gradually, the pair begin to show romantic sparks and tension just before Hopper is presumed to have perished at the end of the third season. However, Joyce and Murray’s extreme journey to rescue Hopper from Russia shows Joyce’s love and care for the Hawkins chief of police, with their chemistry and long history being undeniable.
1Steve & Dustin
Unlikely Duo That Provide A Barrel Of Laughs
In an unlikely team-up, the duo of Steve and Dustin has become an unparalleled force in theStranger Thingsuniverse. At the show’s beginning, Steve’s jock presence and Dustin’s nerdy enthusiasm place the two characters at opposite ends of the spectrum. However, Steve’s self-discovery finds the high school heartthrob becoming a suitable role model for the young gallivanter as the duo get up to no good while Hawkins' secrets spill out.
Steve and Dustin’s infectious chemistry and camaraderie appear effortless, even coming with the qualities of a buddy-cop tandem. While the hilarious duo is now set up to become central pawns inStranger Things' enticing final season, nothing will compare to the inconceivable friendshipdisplayed in seasons 2 and 3between the dynamic duo.
