Top Ten Stranger Things Season 2 Characters

Grab your Farrah Fawcett and let's get ranking.

Season two of Stranger Things is usually considered to be the weakest of the show (which is not saying much because it's still great), but the characters are still top-tier. Honestly, season two may have the best batch of new characters that we get throughout the entire show. There are so many great additions to this already incredible cast in its sophomore outing, and that meant that this ranking is really different than the first season. There's a lot of changing characters and arcs that make for very different journeys for all of our heroes, and that's what makes this show so interesting. That said, here are my top ten characters from season two of Stranger Things.

10. Murray Bauman

The conspiracy theorist is immediately fun on screen

I enjoy Murray a lot, and I really think he is utilized nicely in season two. He doesn't have a ton of screen time, but when he shows up, he is just tons of fun. Brett Gelman's awkward and somewhat creepy performance makes him feel automatically unique. He separates himself from the other normal Stranger Things characters by being kind of off-putting, but in a really funny and somewhat endearing way. He doesn't have a major role in season two, but they utilize him well enough for him to earn a spot on this list.

9. Eleven

The Lost Sister arc is a downgrade from season one, but she's still great

Eleven spends basically the entire season on her own, which is both good and bad. She definitely gets downgraded from season one, but being on her own does allow for a lot of character growth and a lot of time for Millie Bobby Brown to shine. Letting her explore her past gives her agency over her own life, which is something she hasn't had. Her relationship with Hopper is, obviously, one of the beating hearts at the emotional center of this entire show, and it's probably the strongest aspect of her character. She doesn't know how to react or let people in because of how she's been treated by Brenner and the people at Hawkins Lab. By the end of the season, however, she's learned that she has a true family and people that care about her, and it's such an endearing and powerful way to bring the character back after her heroic sacrifice in season one. The stuff with Kali is pretty much the most universally disliked stuff in the show, so that's frustrating, but besides that, she's still great.

8. Dustin Henderson

The pairing of him with Steve makes for some of the show's best moments

I debated moving Dustin up a few spots, because he's Dustin - he's one of the best characters in this show. He's still incredibly funny and, of course, his friendship with Steve begins here, which is one of the best pairings in the history of TV. Gaten Matarazzo is as charming and hilarious as ever...but the things that knocks Dustin back from being higher is the entire D'Artagnan storyline. Dart is Dustin's pet Demogorgon that he finds, and it's just such a frustrating plot line, because he lies to his friends about it. This is really out of character for him, especially since he cares so much about his friends and is so instrumental in every fight against the Upside Down. So when he's not with Dart, Dustin is still one of the show's strongest characters. If Dart wasn't a part of this season, he'd probably be in the top three or four. As is, he's still probably the most fun and most endearing character on the show.

7. Lucas Sinclair

Season two's most underrated contributor

I feel like Lucas didn't really become a fan-favorite until season four, but I really think he doesn't get enough credit for his role in season two. He was so whiny and angry in season one, so it's nice to see him revert back to this caring, funny version of himself that has great rapport with Dustin and a budding romance with Max. They do a much better job of balancing his often fiery personality with his caring side in this season, and it makes him more fun and more well-rounded. He doesn't necessarily have a ton of standout moments, but he always just elevates a scene anytime he's on screen.

6. Max Mayfield

The party's tomboy brings a much-needed sarcastic charm to the group

After watching all four seasons, I feel like I care about Max so much more, which allows me to see her as a truly great example of how to write a subtle character. A lot of Max's problems that are explored later down the line are set up really well in this season, but they aren't given the spotlight or even really acknowledged. The Duffers just laid the groundwork for where her character goes super well, and that makes her awesome. Beyond that, she brings a fun new energy to the group. You see Mike being the jealous one instead of Lucas this season because Max almost feels like their replacement for Eleven. Her sarcastic wit mixed with her clear desire to be accepted by the party add a complex layer to her character that you feel even more accentuated anytime we get a peep at her home life and her relationship with Billy. She's awesome right from the get-go, and it's nice to see her happy in this season knowing what happens down the line.

5. Sam Owens

Paul Reiser's well-intentioned but untrustworthy scientist is very interesting

I think Owens is one of the most underrated characters in Stranger Things. I've said this a million times, but one of the things this show is best at is setting up cliches that you would see in 80s movies (or any movie for that matter) and subverting it with something really satisfying. Owens is written to be another mad scientist that you don't trust, much like Brenner. They even cast Paul Reiser, who played one of the most famous characters that fits that cliche with Burke in Aliens. This, paired with his uncomfortably disarming demeanor, makes it all the more satisfying when you realize that he is actually good-intentioned and isn't Brenner. He's still not always morally correct, but he fights back against the Hawkins Lab scientists that want to let Will die to defeat the Mind Flayer. He helps make sure the gang gets out of Hawkins Lab, staying behind and risking his life. And, of course, he pulls the strings to get Eleven officially adopted by Hopper. He's just such a great subversion of what you expect, and I really think he does not get enough credit for how awesome he is.

4. Bob Newby

The lovable, good-hearted nerd that deserved better

The "justice for Barb" trend quickly turned into the "justice for Bob" trend after season two's lovable nerd was given a tragic death in the final episodes. Bob is introduced as this somewhat awkward super nerd who really cares about Joyce and is just the right amount of naive. Once he gets involved in the Upside Down, however, he becomes a character you get truly invested in. He's so willing to help and cares about the Byers family so much that he basically ends up dying to save them. Of course he deserved better, but it's telling that his death hurts so much when he is a supporting character in season two. That shows how well-written this show and its characters are.

3. Will Byers

The central character of season one gets a chance to shine in the second season

I'm excited to see Will be the center of season five, because season two was the last time that we really got any real characterization for him. That said, the characterization we get is great. His character is written to be this metaphor for trauma and PTSD, which has maybe been a bit overdone in horror nowadays, but it works really well here. You see him infected and tortured mentally and physically by the Mind Flayer, and he feels helpless. Noah Schnapp absolutely kills it this season, showing that he is just as good as the rest of the kids. You really, really feel for this kid and everything he's gone through. I really hope they give us a satisfying (and hopefully happy) end in season five.

2. Jim Hopper

Learning how to be a father again keeps him as one of the most compelling characters

There's a reason Hopper is the best character in the show. After giving him one of the most compelling TV arcs I've ever seen in season one, the Duffers took the perfect second step with him: giving him Eleven. As great of a father figure as he is, he's still a broken man who feels that he destroys all of the people he loves. We see this manifest in his insecurities and anger as he yells at Eleven or becomes super overprotective of her. By the end of the season, however, we see him accept her freedom, an important part of any father's role in a kid's life. David Harbour still stands out with an incredible performance in this season. He just knows how to make Hopper feel so imposing and intimidating but also so soft and vulnerable at the same time. Season one showed us this broken man rediscovering his potential to be a great man. Season two shows us a broken man rediscovering his potential to be a great father. And that is just as compelling and just as emotional.

1. Steve Harrington

The bully-turned-babysitter becomes the fan-favorite this season

What else is there to say? Steve Harrington is one of the most beloved characters in television history, and most of his principle character growth is executed perfectly in season two. After his incredible redemption at the end of season one, Steve continues that momentum into season two. He gets broken up with, but instead of reacting like a jerk, he accepts it and becomes this great role model for Dustin and the rest of the kids. He might always be the babysitter, but he's the best frickin' babysitter in the world. He constantly puts himself in harm's way to protect those he loves, and it just makes him so incredibly awesome. God, I love this character. He's just the best. One of the best characters in the show and definitely the best character in season two.