10 Best Projects From ‘Stranger Things’ Stars Since Season 1

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Nine years ago, Netflix launched Stranger Things, which quickly became a cultural hit. The sci-fi series is now a landmark show in streaming history, boasting a dedicated fanbase that frequently discusses its moments online. It’s also received critical acclaim, earning nominations for prestigious awards like Emmys, Golden Globes, and even a Grammy.

With Stranger Things nearing its end, it’s interesting to see what the cast has been up to since the show premiered on July 15, 2016. Here’s a list of the 10 best projects the Stranger Things actors have appeared in, ranked based on things like how well they did in theaters, their cultural impact, and critical reviews. It was surprisingly tough to narrow down the list, and some popular choices might be missing!

10
‘Enola Holmes’ (2020)/’Enola Holmes 2′ (2022)


Netflix

Millie Bobby Brown became incredibly famous playing Eleven in Stranger Things, a role that cemented her place in television history. It’s impressive that she’s also found success with another instantly recognizable character: Enola Holmes. Brown stars as the clever, young detective – and sister to the famous Sherlock Holmes – in both Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2.

Fun, Mystery-Solving Movies

The Enola Holmes films put a new spin on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, which was a welcome change since the character originated with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle back in 1887. Both movies quickly became popular on Netflix, proving they’ve gained a dedicated following.

9
‘Godzilla vs. King Kong’ (2021)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Millie Bobby Brown starred in the blockbuster film Godzilla vs. Kong, which earned over $470 million worldwide before the summer season even began. Continuing the stories of the iconic monsters Godzilla and King Kong, Brown plays Madison Russell, a young woman who defends Godzilla and believes he’s not the villain everyone perceives him to be. Once again, Brown portrays a heroic character in a science fiction setting, but this time, she relies on her intelligence and courage rather than superpowers to save the day.

A Great Performance From Millie Bobby Brown

Brown gave a strong performance as Madison, convincingly portraying her growth from the child we saw in Godzilla: King of the Monsters into a young woman with a powerful role in this dark and fantastical world. This is especially impressive considering she acted alongside established stars like Alexander Skarsgard, an Emmy winner, and Brian Tyree Henry, who has been nominated for an Oscar.

8
‘The Whale’ (2022)


A24

Though it came out around the same time as blockbuster films like Avatar: The Way of Water and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the independent film The Whale gained a lot of attention during awards season. It even won Brendan Fraser an Academy Award for his performance as a severely overweight teacher attempting to reconnect with his daughter, played by Sadie Sink – best known as Max from Stranger Things.

A New Side to Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink delivered a strong performance, building on her ability to play a sarcastic and guarded teenager. This role, however, required more depth as her character grapples with anger towards her father while also facing the urgency of their limited time together. She also had great chemistry with her co-star, Fraser. Sink’s work was rightfully recognized with a Critics’ Choice Awards nomination.

7
‘The New Edition Story’ (2017)


BET

Many consider “The New Edition Story” to be the best music biopic miniseries of the last decade. It chronicles the rise to fame of the iconic R&B group New Edition, including the challenges they faced. Viewers were particularly impressed with the cast’s acting and singing abilities. Caleb McLaughlin, known for his role in “Stranger Things,” played a young Ricky Bell in the miniseries.

An Amazing BET Series

When it first aired, this program was a huge success for BET, becoming their most-watched and highest-rated show. It also quickly became a popular topic online, trending for three days straight. Although it didn’t have traditional box office numbers, it clearly resonated with fans. Even now, it’s still a compelling watch for anyone interested in revisiting the story of New Edition – their journey through ups and downs, and their ultimate comeback.

6
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (2025)


Marvel Studios

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” absolutely deserves to be on this list. Featuring Joseph Quinn, who fans will recognize as Eddie Munson from “Stranger Things,” this film successfully brought the comic book team back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many consider it the best live-action adaptation of the Fantastic Four ever made, thanks to its well-told story and perfect casting choices.

A Fantastic MCU Team Up

Speaking of Noah Quinn, making this list really highlights how much of a star he’s become since his time on Stranger Things. He’s also been in popular movies like A Quiet Place: Day One. We could only include two of his films, though, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps had to be one of them – it’s the best movie version of Marvel’s original superhero team so far. We’ll explain the other Quinn film choice later.

5
‘Thunderbolts*’ (2025)


Marvel Studios

David Harbour has quickly become a popular action movie star after first gaining recognition as Chief Jim Hopper in the Netflix series Stranger Things. He’s appeared in films with stars like Jason Statham (The Working Man) and Orlando Bloom (Gran Turismo), but his most significant role in the action genre is arguably as Alexei Shostakov, the Red Guardian, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Bringing Hope Back to the MCU

The character has become a welcome and funny part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and played a key role in the successful box office performance of Thunderbolts (originally The New Avengers). For many fans, Thunderbolts renewed optimism about the future of the MCU, and the news that Robert Downey Jr. is returning likely contributed to that positive feeling.

4
‘Black Widow’ (2021)


Marvel Studios

David Harbour first played Red Guardian in the movie Black Widow. While Thunderbolts might be a stronger film, Black Widow deserves credit for introducing the character and featuring excellent action scenes. It was also much needed, as all the other original Avengers had already received their own movies and sequels exploring their backstories.

A Stellar Marvel Movie

Although Thunderbolts received slightly better ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and earned more money at the box office, Black Widow deserves more credit. It came out while the world was still dealing with the pandemic, making its success more impressive. Plus, Scarlett Johansson didn’t have the support of the usual Avengers cast, so David Harbour did a great job stepping up and attracting fans. Thunderbolts, on the other hand, featured actors that Marvel audiences already knew well.

3
‘Elvis’ (2022)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Dacre Montgomery, known for playing the tough stepbrother Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things, also had a role in the movie Elvis. While Billy was a bit of a troublemaker, Montgomery portrayed the producer and director Steve Binder in Elvis, a much smoother and more refined character.

A Strong Musician Biopic

The Elvis biopic was a hit with both audiences and critics, earning widespread praise and doing well in theaters. It also received many award nominations. However, it faced tough competition from films like Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Banshees of Inisherin when the awards were actually presented.

2
‘Gladiator II’ (2024)


Paramount Pictures

After 24 years, the highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning film Gladiator delivered, brilliantly showcasing the journey of Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius. Mescal and Denzel Washington were standouts, but fans of Stranger Things might have spotted Joseph Quinn playing the co-emperor Geta – though he was almost unnoticeable as the unstable and quick-tempered ruler.

A Sequel Worth the Wait

While the success of the first Gladiator definitely boosted interest in Gladiator II, the sequel stands on its own as a well-made film. Its positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes (“Certified Fresh”), nominations for major awards like the Oscars and Golden Globes, and strong box office numbers prove it. It might not be better than the original, but it absolutely deserves the praise it’s getting.

1
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)


Universal Pictures

Matthew Modine, known for his role as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things, also appears in Oppenheimer. However, instead of playing a villain, he portrays Vannevar Bush, the director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development.

A Best Picture Winner

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is the most successful film yet for a Stranger Things actor since that show ended. It earned nearly $976 million worldwide, won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and received high praise from critics (with a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes). While the movie – about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb – is a serious and thought-provoking watch, it’s become incredibly popular with movie lovers. Many people enjoyed seeing it as a double feature with the lighter, more fun film Barbie.

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2025-11-10 00:42