8 Wild Stranger Things Finale Easter Eggs Only Diehard Fans Caught

Okay, so after nearly ten years, Stranger Things is officially done, and as a viewer, I have to say the Duffer Brothers really stuck the landing. It wasn’t just about tying up all the loose plot threads and giving each character a good send-off – they clearly wanted to bring the whole story back to where it began. They did this brilliantly by sprinkling in tons of little nods to earlier seasons, some super obvious, and others definitely aimed at those of us who’ve been with the show since day one. It was a nice touch, rewarding the dedication of the fanbase.

The final season of Stranger Things took years to create, building on the events of its four previous seasons. The finale is packed with callbacks, from Lucas’s old wrist rocket to Hopper’s mention of moving to Montauk – references that span the entire series. There are probably even more hidden details to discover, but here are eight Easter eggs that will bring back fond memories of Stranger Things‘ beginnings.

Mr. Clarke Continues to Keep His Students in Line

In the latest season of Stranger Things, Hawkins Middle School played a part in the action. After helping the group re-enter the Upside Down, Erica expressed confidence they could evade the military, warning them that the biggest challenges were still ahead. Mr. Clarke playfully chided her for her language, echoing a scene from the show’s first season.

In the first episode of Stranger Things, titled “The Vanishing of Will Byers,” Mr. Clarke introduced the AV club to a new ham radio, which excited Lucas so much he swore. Mr. Clarke gently corrected him, and Lucas apologized. However, Lucas’s sister, Erica, thought the moment called for even more colorful language and surprisingly convinced their teacher to participate.

Lucas Brings His Favorite Weapon to the Final Battle

Throughout Stranger Things, Lucas consistently relies on his wrist rocket as his go-to weapon. He’s used it to fight the Demogorgon, the Demodogs, and even to create a distraction from the Mind Flayer. Though it wasn’t featured in Season 4, the wrist rocket returns in the Season 5 finale for the climactic battle against Vecna and the Mind Flayer.

Working together, Lucas and Mike fight the Mind Flayer by launching water balloons filled with a flammable substance using Lucas’s improved wrist rocket. Mike then fires a flare, igniting the liquid and setting the creature on fire. It’s remarkable how useful Lucas’s wrist rocket has become, especially considering Mike wasn’t sure it would work back in Season 1.

Dustin Turns Eddie’s Graduation Dream Into a Reality

In Season 4 of Stranger Things, Eddie Munson really wanted to graduate from Hawkins High School, but sadly, he died before he could. He explained at the beginning of the season that he dreamed of playfully flipping off Principal Higgins, getting his diploma, and leaving town. In the season finale, Dustin decides to make that dream come true in Eddie’s memory.

Dustin, as the class valedictorian, had the honor of speaking at graduation. After a heartfelt tribute to his friends, he unexpectedly called out Higgins for always following the crowd. In a bold move, he ripped off his graduation robe to reveal a “Hellfire Lives” T-shirt, then gave the principal the middle finger before grabbing his diploma and running off stage – a rebellious act that Eddie would have surely appreciated.

Nancy’s Season 2 Prediction for Dustin Came True

In the season 2 finale of Stranger Things, Dustin tried to ask Stacey, a particularly stuck-up classmate, to dance at the Snow Ball, but she rejected him dismissively. When she returned in season 3 at the Starcourt Mall, she and her friends continued to be critical of Eleven and Max. Eleven quickly got her payback, using her powers to make Stacey’s drink burst all over her face in the food court.

In Season 5, Stacey comes back for graduation and seems to have changed her attitude. She surprisingly invites Dustin to a party after a speech, but he decides to hang out with his friends and play Dungeons & Dragons instead. Just like Nancy expected, Stacey finally realized her mistake, but it’s too late – Dustin turns the tables and politely declines her invitation.

Jonathan Byers Goes to NYU

Jonathan Byers rarely shares his aspirations, but his mother, Joyce, reveals in the first season of Stranger Things that he’s dreamed of attending NYU since childhood. Later, in Season 4, fans discovered he’d been planning to go to college in Lenora Hills to remain near his family. Unfortunately, those plans were interrupted when the Byers family had to return to Hawkins, and ultimately, that might be a good thing.

Following the big showdown, the final episode of Stranger Things fast-forwards a year and a half to show us what everyone is up to. Jonathan, who originally planned to stay put, is actually pursuing his passion for filmmaking as a student at NYU. It looks like the rest of the family might be heading to the city too, with Will going to college there and Hopper and Joyce considering a move to Long Island.

Hopper and Joyce’s Plans Nod to Stranger Things’ Origins

I was so happy during that dinner scene at Enzo’s! Hopper finally popped the question to Joyce, and she said yes – it was a really sweet moment. Then he suggested they move to Montauk, New York, because the town was looking for a new sheriff. It would mean a raise for him, and they figured it’d be a good place to be closer to the kids when they went off to college. It’s interesting, the Duffer Brothers actually drew inspiration for the whole show from the real history of Montauk, though that’s not something they really show in Stranger Things itself. As a fan, it’s cool to know where they got the idea!

As a total cinema fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the rumors surrounding Camp Hero State Park – the old Montauk Air Force Station. For decades, people have talked about secret experiments happening there, specifically involving the alleged kidnapping of children who were then subjected to tests meant to unlock psychic powers. It’s wild to think that those stories heavily inspired the character of Eleven in Stranger Things, and originally, the show was even planned to be filmed in Long Island!

Lucas and Max Finally Go on Their Movie Date

Max and Lucas have experienced a lot of challenges in their relationship on Stranger Things. They first became a couple at the end of Season 2, and after some on-again, off-again periods, they grew apart when Max struggled with the loss of her stepbrother. They reconnected in Season 4 and were looking forward to a date, but Vecna then trapped Max in a mental prison for a year and a half.

While Max recovered, Lucas continued to play her favorite song and kept the drawing she made of their time at the movies hanging in her hospital room. In the show’s final scene, Mike pictures what the future holds for everyone, and imagines Max and Lucas still together – enjoying a movie date, just like the one in Max’s drawing.

Stranger Things Ends With the Perfect Needle Drop

Okay, so the ending of the latest season really got me. Usually, when the credits hit, you get that iconic Stranger Things theme, right? But this time, it was David Bowie’s “Heroes” – the original version, which was a cool surprise since they’ve used Peter Gabriel’s cover before. And it wasn’t just the song; they showed these animated flashbacks to moments throughout the whole series, but styled like we were watching the characters actually playing Dungeons & Dragons. It was a really creative way to wrap things up, honestly.

I’ve been diving deep into the show, and something really interesting has come up! They used the song “Heroes” twice – once when they found Will’s supposed body, and again when everyone was grieving Hopper. It got me thinking, even though Eleven seemed to sacrifice herself in the finale, a lot of us are wondering if that song is a clue that she’s actually still alive, just like Mike believes! It’s sparked a whole new theory, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense when you consider how carefully the show uses music.

2026-01-06 05:38