5 Reasons a ‘Stranger Things’ “dream” Ending Would Have Made Sense, Despite Duffers Rejecting It

Published 12/19/2023, 10:18 AM EST

via Imago

Over the years, the Duffer brothers have taken their fans on quite an adventure with the eerie Netflix series, Stranger Things. With the series gearing up for its fifth and final season, fans all over the world are not ready to say goodbye to their favorite characters just yet. However, while nothing has been disclosed about how the series will end, fans have come up with their theories. The most popular one was that it would end as a dream.

While the creators of the show may have shut down some of the theories, here are 5 reasons why the horror show ending as a dream would have made complete sense.

5 reasons why Stranger Things should end as a dream

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Ever since Stranger Things began, it captured fan attention. While the series was rather terrifying at times, viewers quickly found their favorites. Although the series ending as a dream does have its pros and cons, here are the main reasons why some fans believe it would be best if the show ended as one long and difficult nightmare.

Stranger Things would live up to its inspiration

Throughout Stranger Things’ five-season run, the series has proved that it had drawn inspiration from filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Stephen King. With its spooky and eerie moments with monsters from the Upside Down, the Duffer Brothers ended up putting forward a masterpiece. However, if the creators had decided to follow the dream-ending fan theory, it would have made perfect sense given their inspirations.

With the show’s roots tying back to ’80s sci-fi and horror inspirations, this ending could be a tribute to all the classic thrillers that had come before the Millie Bobby Brown starrer. While fans might not all agree that it would be the right way to end the series, the dream ending would have also allowed the creators to bring the worlds of the supernatural and reality together.

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Although fans will not see the show end as a dream, there is no way of saying how or what the finale could end up paying homage to.

Stranger Things would be more believable

For years, fans have followed the Stranger Things series as a group of children, young adults, and a mutant saved Hawkins from destruction over and over. While it may have made for exquisite storytelling, not all of it added up. With adults and the surrounding people ignoring major battles that could have destroyed their little town, the creators could have put an end to the confusion by choosing to wrap up the series as a dream.

From the Demogorgon, the Mind Flayer, to Vecna’s wrath, all hell broke loose across each season. However, apart from Eleven, Will, Mike, and the rest of the gang, the spooky ongoings were often met with an unsettling lack of acknowledgment from the wider community While the dream ending would not be ideal for everyone, it could tie up any loose ends left from the earlier seasons.

Could bring a sequel without Eleven

Since the series first aired, fans fell in love with Millie Bobby Brown’s character, Eleven. Although her psychic powers were all over the place initially, she eventually got the hang of it and became one of the show’s leads. But what if she was just a figment of Noah Schnapp’s character, Will’s imagination? What if it all was? Stranger Things ending as Will’s dream might change everything fans know about the show.

It could also open the doors to a sequel without Brown. While the actress has already said her goodbyes to the show, the fan theory could give the show another life. It could also show fans a whole different side of some of the main characters that they had grown to love. Although it might have ended up redefining TV finales, the creators claim to have chosen a better end for their Hawkins adventures. While fans might have to see it to believe it, there is still a long wait ahead of them.

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A dream ending could spice up Stranger Things

For years, fans have followed the Hawkins adventures of Stranger Things without questioning it. However, if Netflix’s Stranger Things were to end as a dream, it would end up leaving fans questioning what they know about their favorite series. While it would encourage them to reassess the entire show to differentiate reality from the dream, there is also a high chance that it could backfire.

With dreams being ambiguous, the series could have been elevated high above the ordinary and left a mark on the minds of its audience. A twist like this would not only be a noticeable swerve from the normal. However, it could have also ensured that the series would have continued its legacy of mind-blowing storytelling.

It would have been the biggest plot twist

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Just days ago, the Duffer brothers straight up shut down the fan theories that claimed Stranger Things would end as a dream. While the creators of the series have promised fans an ending even better, there is no saying what could end up happening. Some fans even think that there is a chance they addressed the rumors to have their viewers let their guards down and not predict the ending.

via Imago

While that would be the biggest plot twist of the series, fans will have to wait and find out given that the series is set to be released sometime in 2025 or even 2026. With such a long wait in store, one thing is for sure. The hype around the series finale is only set to increase until the end.

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How do you think Stranger Things should end? Let us know in the comments below.

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Prathika Prashant

882 articles

Prathika Prashant is an Entertainment Writer and Hollywood News Reporter at Netflix Junkie. Having 150+ articles to her name, her EdTech background helped her explore her love for writing. However, being a singer who can be seen covering her favorite songs in her free time is what truly got her into the glittery world of entertainment.

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