9 ‘Stranger Things’ Couples, Ranked
Stranger Things may be a sci-fi nostalgia-filled thriller, but the series, which originally debuted on Netflix in 2016, has also made way for several onscreen romances and ships, both canonical and non-canonical.
Gearing up for its fifth and final season, the series from the Duffer brothers, Matt and Ross, is all but sure to satisfy and possibly shatter hearts with whatever may be in store. And while we await the show’s November return, we’re reflecting on some of the pairs from the Hawkins, Indiana-based ’80s-set series and where they fall on our own ranking of couples from the show.
Whether you’re an OG Mileven shipper or rooting for Jopper’s happy ending, everyone has a favorite, and while the show has featured various pairings, we’re taking a closer look at nine of the couples and ranking them from worst to best below. It must be noted that this is a ranking of canonical couples that feature two living characters (sorry, Joyce and Bob!).
Scroll down for a closer look and let us know your own ranking in the comments section below.
Stranger Things, Season 5 Volume 1, Premiere, November 26, 2025, Netflix
Stranger Things, Season 5 Volume 2, Premiere, December 25, 2025, Netflix
Stranger Things, Season 5 Finale, Premiere, December 31, 2025, Netflix
9. Tommy & Carol
Arguably two of the absolute worst people to ever emerge from this expansive world, Tommy (Chester Rushing) and Carol (Chelsea Talmadge) were friends of Steve’s (Joe Keery) who were introduced in Season 1. Bullies at heart, despite Tommy and Carol’s mutual enjoyment of being mean to others, their own tight bond isn’t enough to save them from placing last in our ranking.
8. Ted & Karen
Not far behind them are the Wheelers, Ted (Joe Chrest) and Karen (Cara Buono), who seem to be on completely different pages at all times. While Karen has shown a vested interest in her children’s lives and the community around her, Ted is entirely checked out. For all we know, Ted could fall into the Upside Down and not even realize it. In other words, we’re hoping Karen finds something better, just not at the local pool…
7. Vickie & Robin
Sure, they aren’t exactly a couple yet, but Vickie (Amybeth McNulty) and Robin (Maya Hawke) were hinted to be heading in that direction by the end of Season 4 as they volunteered to help their fellow Hawkins citizens at the high school’s makeshift shelter and donation facility. While Robin isn’t sure whether Vickie is also queer, Steve hinted that her crush was based on where Vickie left Fast Times at Ridgemont High paused when she’d return the VHS to the video store. In other words, we’re rooting for this duo to get together in Season 5.
6. Suzie & Dustin
Dustin’s (Gaten Matarazzo) friends didn’t believe his girlfriend Suzie (Gabriella Pizzolo) existed when he told them about her in Season 3, and it wasn’t until a do-or-die scenario that we learned she really did. Before helping Dustin, though, she memorably made him sing “Never Ending Story,” which led to an epic music moment on the show. What can we say? We just love their adorable vibe.
5. Steve & Nancy
Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Steve were one of the show’s first couples, and with him being a popular jock and her being the school whiz they seemed like a match made in heaven. But Steve’s dismissive nature towards Nancy’s friend Barb (Shannon Purser) didn’t help his case along with his friends being bullies, as she began to grow closer to Jonathan (Charlie Heaton). When Nancy and Jonathan prepared to face the Demogorgon in Season 1, though, Steve stepped up to the plate. And despite their breakup, Steve’s always had a soft spot for Nancy, even hinting at his lingering feelings for her in Season 4. Could their love be rekindled? Only time will tell.
4. Max & Lucas
This duo may have taken a moment to warm up, but their dance at the Snow Ball in Season 2 really hinted at the sweetness of their relationship in future seasons. While the death of Max’s (Sadie Sink) step-brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery) left her in a grief fog for Season 4, Lucas ultimately did his best to support her, staying by her side as she faced big bad Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). While Max remains in a coma, Lucas has been eagerly awaiting her recovery for their previously planned movie date. Let’s hope by Season 5’s end, they have the chance to live out that dream.
3. Mike & Eleven
When it comes to the original core cast of kids, Mike (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) have certainly been the prime example of young love. Mike was immediately smitten when he and pals Dustin and Lucas found Eleven in the woods around Hawkins when they went searching for their friend Will (Noah Schnapp). Their romance has been a constant of the series, making them one of the top-ranked couples. From the Snow Ball to an epic rescue mission in the desert, Mike and Eleven’s love has endured plenty of triumphs and hurdles. Here’s to hoping it’s smooth sailing from here on out.
2. Jonathan & Nancy
This may be a bit controversial, but Nancy and Jonathan remain one of our favorite couples, despite some hiccups in Seasons 3 and 4, because of the genuine and organic way it all started. Despite Jonathan’s outsider status at high school, Nancy never treated him any differently, and when she saw the way Steve’s friends treated him, she refused to follow suit. Nancy’s commitment to helping Jonathan find Will extended to Season 2 when they branched out to find answers about the peculiarities surrounding Hawkins, ultimately leading to their first kiss. The pair is slow-burn excellence, and even though they were on some shaky ground by the end of Season 4, we have faith that the couple who have proven their care for one another can succeed. Also, Dyer and Heaton are a real-life couple, and that chemistry is hard to deny onscreen.
1. Joyce & Hopper
Yes, we know Joyce (Winona Ryder) and Hopper (David Harbour) only just started their onscreen romance in Season 4, during which they finally shared their first kiss. But the relationship potential has been there at least since Season 1 as they grappled with two different kinds of losses, with his late daughter and her missing son, Will. In Season 2, the pair connected over their shared past growing up in Hawkins, and by Season 3, they were making plans for a dinner at the restaurant Enzo’s. And their banter in Season 3? Enemies to lovers much?! Joyce even goes so far as to travel to Russia to save him, so if that’s not love, we don’t know what is. Here’s to hoping they finally get to enjoy their long-awaited dinner date.
