In the electrifying world of Stranger Things, the cast that brought the sets of Hawkins and beyond to life has so far delivered performances that have been nothing short of mesmerizing. From the magnetic charisma of the youngins to the nuanced brilliance of the older actors, each actor portrayed their character with a cinematic finesse that left audiences thoroughly impressed. As the Upside Down’s mysteries deepened, they continued to add layers of intrigue to the enthralling show.

Here are some possible predictions as to who might continue to soar after the series culminates with season 5 and those who might hang up the hat out of its ensemble cast.

Millie Bobby Brown

There is no denying that Stranger Things has shot Millie Bobby Brown, straight into the pantheon of Hollywood’s A-listers. The Eleven actor who was merely 11 years old at the time she started with the Netflix series is now a household name.  

Subsequently, her mystery thriller Enola Holmes films and the Godzilla action franchise flicks were each received incredibly well by audiences. Furthermore, with a threequel allegedly in the works and another Netflix project by the name of Damsel coming in 2024, there is no stopping this 19-year-old.

David Harbour

While embodying Chief Jim Hopper, David Harbour shifted between his tough-as-nails lawman persona and vulnerable father figure arcs seamlessly. Ever since, he has delivered distinctive performances ranging from superhero thrillers like Black Widow and Suicide Squad to comedies like We Have a Ghost.

The latest flick that showcased his budding talent as a lead: Gran Turismo was also deemed a hit. It looks like the 48-year-old is defying age-related notions as his Hollywood career continues to soar.

Sadie Sink

As Max Mayfield, Sadie Sink infused a perfect blend of defiance and vulnerability into her fan-favorite character. Through her authentic performance as Ellie in 2022’s Academy Award-winning The Whale, she only cemented her place in Hollywood further. 

Even the short romance film she headlined in 2021: All Too Well, garnered much praise and a staggering rating of 8.4 on IMDb. As the 21-year-old forges her path forward, her fans are expecting her acting skills to get more refined and groundbreaking. 

Gaten Matarazzo

After breathing life into the lovable Dustin Henderson with his impeccable comedic timing, Gaten Matarazzo became an icon in the world of comedies. Later, his 2018 flick The Package and 2022’s Honor Society would further confirm fans’ suspicions of his comedic talent. 

By standing with SAG-AFTRA during its recent strikes, the 21-year-old proved his loyalty to his Hollywood clan. Considering how he managed to bag the lead role in the hilarious reality series, Prank Encounters, it seems like his career in this genre has only begun.

Joseph Quinn

Through his brilliant portrayal of Eddie Munson, Joseph Quinn added a fresh layer of complexity to the evolving Stranger Things storyline. After nailing that role to perfection, he has already joined a slew of projects. In 2025, he will appear in Marvel’s Fantastic Four too!

Before that, the British actor is set to appear in some promising flicks like A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2! Clearly, his stint with the Netflix series has left the industry rushing to bag him for such big-name projects. 

Meanwhile, some Stranger Things actors who might not be as coveted in the future are these. 

Noah Schnapp

While Noah Schnapp encapsulated Will Byers’ haunting storyline with authenticity, his subsequent projects like The Tutor failed to do the same. The 2023 flick that the 19-year-old headlined flopped with a mere 4.8 stars on IMDb. 

Given that he is one of the leading figures in the thriller series, fans assumed they would see more of the actor in big-name projects. However, it seems with his ongoing studies and determination for entrepreneurship, he might be headed in a different direction. Despite the fact that his character is taking center stage in season 5, Schnapp’s acting career may just be fading away.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder’s portrayal of Joyce Byers may have been a testament to her versatile talent, but the Girl, Interrupted star’s illustrious career has been studded with far more iconic roles. From Heathers to Beetlejuice, her ability to embody complex characters is legendary.  

However, in recent years, she has been sidelined into playing side characters. For instance, in Beetlejuice 2, she stepped aside for Jenna Ortega to take the lead. So, it can be said that the 52-year-old may gradually be moving away from acting. 

Eduardo Franco

Similar to Gaten Matarazzo, Eduardo Franco’s Argyle injected fresh comedic energy into Stranger Things season 4. While the 29-year-old portrayed his role with delightful charm, he has not been seen in any noteworthy projects since then. 

In fact, the comedian has mostly worked as a voice actor in animation projects besides some flicks that he did before taking on Argyle’s part. So, unless he announces an upcoming project he will not be able to leave any significant impact on the audience. 

Amybeth McNulty

In her short stint as Robin’s love interest, Amybeth McNulty’s Vickie character failed to leave a mark on audiences unlike her role in the now discontinued series Anne With An E. Her CBS series that ended four years ago is also available to stream on Netflix. 

While it did somewhat establish the Irish-Canadian actress as a talented youngin, she has not since appeared in anything notable. With no projects to her name in recent years, the actress might have just been a one-hit wonder.

Shannon Purser

Another side character that only briefly appeared in Stranger Things was that of Barbara, who was killed off in season one itself. Well, the actress who portrayed the ill-fated best friend to Nancy Wheeler, Shannon Purser received an Emmy nomination for her short stint, but it did not prove too fruitful for her. 

Recently, the 26-year-old has only appeared as a side character named Ethel Muggs in the drama show Riverdale. With no other prospects on the horizon, fans are not expecting much out of her acting career. 

Which predictions amongst these do you agree with? Share your thoughts in the comments.