Stranger Things

:

Season 3
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 15, 2016
Season #: 5, 4.5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 448 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 320 out of 448
  2. Mixed: 62 out of 448
  3. Negative: 66 out of 448

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User Reviews

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  1. Dimocracy
    Jul 6, 2023
    9
    Many people don't like it and I don't really understand them. As for me, it's a quality sequel.
  2. Fixer84
    Mar 16, 2023
    8
    A third season that keeps the stakes high, that of Stranger Things. Which is by no means the weak link in the chain but, more than anything else, a reconfirmation of the many (beautiful) things done in the past. And that has a bittersweet conclusion but which is perfectly consistent with the narrative used.
  3. phoenix_prjct
    Mar 14, 2023
    7
    Final Thoughts:

    Season 3 struggles a little to balance its gritty, heavy themes against its more campy fun with some nonsensical inclusions (Russians, really?), but tight casting, performances, and character arcs more than make up the difference, playing nicely with some horror and gore. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) continues to stand out and, despite some narrative retreads, interesting    Final Thoughts:

    Season 3 struggles a little to balance its gritty, heavy themes against its more campy fun with some nonsensical inclusions (Russians, really?), but tight casting, performances, and character arcs more than make up the difference, playing nicely with some horror and gore. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) continues to stand out and, despite some narrative retreads, interesting plot points set up an intriguing 4th outing.

    For the full review and more posts like it, visit my site: https://thephoenixprjct.com/%f0%9f%8d%bf-stranger-things-season-3-basic-review-%f0%9f%8d%bf/    … Expand
  4. Fatbob15
    Oct 21, 2022
    9
    Better than both of it's predecesors, if you were dissappointed by Season 2, this season is a complete 180 of that
  5. Maxdom77
    Jul 26, 2022
    6
    Esta temporada empezo tan bien, parecia ser la temporada con mas personalidad pero el final... se convierte en otra pelea contra el mismo monstruo generico y desperdician el elememnto apocalipci zombie que plantearon al inicio por lo mismo de siempre, y la escritura y dirreccion son las mas caoticas de la serie (hasta ahora)
  6. Gts08
    Jun 22, 2022
    7
    Netflix's wonderful nostalgia bomb, that captured millions of child hearts, 80s kids' imaginations, with its 3rd and penultimate season, poses new challenge to our protagonists, both in their personal lives, but also in the fight against the terrifying secrets that can change the fate of Hawkins. Binge-watchable, although not as great as S1 was, the very top of this series (probablyNetflix's wonderful nostalgia bomb, that captured millions of child hearts, 80s kids' imaginations, with its 3rd and penultimate season, poses new challenge to our protagonists, both in their personal lives, but also in the fight against the terrifying secrets that can change the fate of Hawkins. Binge-watchable, although not as great as S1 was, the very top of this series (probably forever), better than S2, and provides a foundation for the finale that is still more than encouraging. Horror and visuality are stronger than ever, albeit some characters were just...unnecessary. You know what I mean. Cliché on cliché sometimes, but who cares, if you can not stop watching it? Maybe has a weak writing, and in its 1st half, it mainly focuses on the 80s feel, this series has a bright future, and well, we have a Murray..… Expand
  7. HannibalB
    May 23, 2022
    3
    I liked the first two seasons, but this one was a disaster. Too much forced humor was the biggest problem. They show runners seem to have lost their way and forgotten what made the first season so good. The changes in El's character were unwelcome.
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 4, 2022
    6
    This season starts very low on its first two episodes. The characters feel disassociated, and very disconnected, and there’s really no mystery or nothing interesting to see than the gang being jerks with each other. But after episodes 3 and 4 the season starts building that so called tension we all expected. There were still many plot fails and the season overall wasn’t good enough to beatThis season starts very low on its first two episodes. The characters feel disassociated, and very disconnected, and there’s really no mystery or nothing interesting to see than the gang being jerks with each other. But after episodes 3 and 4 the season starts building that so called tension we all expected. There were still many plot fails and the season overall wasn’t good enough to beat the first one, but overall, despite its awful start and its multiple errors, this season holds up to the hype it built, and for a good part, it was a step into the right direction after season 2, which could not give the series the sequel it deserved. Not saying this season is what season 2 should have been, but I can say it’s not as overwhelming as it’ predecessor… Expand
  9. Nishant288
    Oct 31, 2021
    10
    Season 1, Season 2, Season 3 all season are best i loved it i am a big fan of stranger things and his all character world best web series i ever seen stranger things love
  10. MaddoxWhite
    Apr 25, 2021
    6
    Ohhhhhh boy. It's a comedy now?? I'll go over some bullet points, I guess,

    All of the male characters, Hopper especially, have been dumbed down because it's "funny." Mike and Lucas have an entire scene dedicating to farting and burping. Dustin singing is one of the most "why is this in the show" moments ever. Every character feels like they're on Disney Channel now. Erica worked way    Ohhhhhh boy. It's a comedy now?? I'll go over some bullet points, I guess,

    All of the male characters, Hopper especially, have been dumbed down because it's "funny."
    Mike and Lucas have an entire scene dedicating to farting and burping.
    Dustin singing is one of the most "why is this in the show" moments ever.
    Every character feels like they're on Disney Channel now.
    Erica worked way better as a side character. She REALLY deserved to be developed more.
    The entire plot with the Russians.

    It's so crazy and over the top that...I kinda like it.
    I always see it as a parody of itself, and it works well that way. Also, there's some genuinely good moments, like the Mike and WIll fight in the rain, and Steve and Robin's dynamic. There's still a few good scenes here.

    But...as a season of Stranger Things...it just doesn't work, man.    … Expand
  11. TudorPopescu
    Dec 10, 2020
    5
    I can't believe I'm saying this, but I didn't like season 3. The main issue is that now the mystery isn't that "mysterious" anymore. The show's strongest point used to be the unknown, the unpredictability, the suspense. You were never sure of what was going to happen. But now the mystery is kind of gone. We've already seen the monsters multiple times. It isn't "special" anymore. It alsoI can't believe I'm saying this, but I didn't like season 3. The main issue is that now the mystery isn't that "mysterious" anymore. The show's strongest point used to be the unknown, the unpredictability, the suspense. You were never sure of what was going to happen. But now the mystery is kind of gone. We've already seen the monsters multiple times. It isn't "special" anymore. It also feels like there's more focus on action than mystery in this season.

    I also hate Hopper. I didn't mind him much in the previous seasons, but he's unbearable now. He's an **** he's unlikable, he's downright abusive at times, and I can't stand him. I don't want him to be a love interest for Joyce and I don't want him to be the father figure for Eleven. The "overprotective father" and the "tough guy who's afraid to show his emotions" shticks are tiresome, overdone and unoriginal.

    I'm not saying this season is bad, but it's not good either. It's mediocre. If you're a Stranger Things die-hard fan, you might like this season. I didn't. But what I did like were the cinematography and the actors' performance. Everything else fell flat. I also wasn't a fan of the Russians subplot. Again, overdone to hell and back.    … Expand
  12. MarcoOlivieri
    Oct 9, 2020
    0
    I won't waste time to motivate why this season is complete crap. I just wanna contribute with my 1/10.
  13. manningn15
    Jun 3, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Even though this season wasn't as good as season two I did like it better than season one and is another A+ season and is still my 2nd favorite Netflix original show and one of my favorite shows of all time. The acting was phenomenal again this season especially from Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Dacre Montgomery, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Natalia Dyer, Sadie Sink, Brett Gelman, Gaten Matarazzo, Finn Wolfhard, Alec Utgoff, Caleb McLaughlin, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Jake Busey, Peggy Miley, Cary Elwes, Noah Schnapp, Michael Park and Francesca Reale. The visual effects were exceptional, creepy, scary, disgusting, disturbing, and awesome especially the Mind Flayer, the White Demogorgan, and the Hospital Monster. The writing and story were outstanding, throughout this season I laughed or I cried and it was either heartwarming or heartbreaking. The humor this season was really funny especially when Steve and Robin were loopy from the drugs. I still love the homage to 80's and 80's pop culture. The makeup and hairstyling was remarkable especially on Natalia Dyer, Cara Buono, Priah Ferguson, Dacre Montgomery, Joe Keery, Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, Gaten Matarazzo, Francesca Reale, Maya Hawke, Charlie Heaton, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, and David Harbour. The costumes were stupendous especially the ones wore by Millie Bobby Brown, Dacre Montgomery, David Harbour, Priah Ferguson, Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, Sadie Sink, Caleb McLaughlin, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Winona Ryder, and Peggy Miley. The sets were excellent especially the Starcourt Mall and the Secret Russian Base. The characterization was superb especially with Bill, Robin, Joyce, Steve, Karen, Erica, Eleven/Jane, Mike, Jim, and Nancy. Also the soundtrack and music was terrific especially the song that Dustin and Suzie sang together.… Expand
  14. whoischarlotte
    Jun 1, 2020
    9
    This is really by far the best season for me, the first was fantastic, the second was a letdown so the third season really exceeded expectations
  15. wayrez
    May 16, 2020
    7
    Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised when from the first minutes of the show he dragged me to the end of the season. It's an interesting story, even if it's not very original, not boring and dynamic enough. The script and dialogues are realistic and logical, not as often happens in modern series. Mystic and movie lovers of the 80's will definitely like this mixture, and in general theHonestly, I was pleasantly surprised when from the first minutes of the show he dragged me to the end of the season. It's an interesting story, even if it's not very original, not boring and dynamic enough. The script and dialogues are realistic and logical, not as often happens in modern series. Mystic and movie lovers of the 80's will definitely like this mixture, and in general the series is chic. One thing that he released Netflix is worth looking at at least the first series, and then get involved.… Expand
  16. Guo56
    May 15, 2020
    10
    Personally I think that the third season was really close to perfect, a few hiccups on the way but I’ll give it a ten.
  17. emmajames1317
    May 14, 2020
    0
    I think stranger things is a good show the first five times watching it but after awhile is gets boring
  18. Amir_poper
    May 4, 2020
    7
    Weaker than the first two seasons , but still good . The weekness of this season is that it has some bugs . Characters act like kids , first episodes are filled with romantic stuff , and the whole story makes sense less . But it is still exciting and emotional. Hope season 4 will be better.
  19. Diptanshu
    May 1, 2020
    10
    Literally greatest season ever in tv shows!i was literally shocked!Great music amazing acting the theme and cinematography and visuals each and everything was skeptical the drama was amazing.specially this season the little girlfriend boyfriend and couples thing and the way a boy grown and left childhood that pain showcased perfectly i was literally laughing while dustin calls hisLiterally greatest season ever in tv shows!i was literally shocked!Great music amazing acting the theme and cinematography and visuals each and everything was skeptical the drama was amazing.specially this season the little girlfriend boyfriend and couples thing and the way a boy grown and left childhood that pain showcased perfectly i was literally laughing while dustin calls his girlfriend in middle of something and in that whole episode i was literally blowned away i was crying,laughing,craving for more the speech of hop and the music i can't describe the experience in the words it was masterpiece!… Expand
  20. Satanski666
    Mar 19, 2020
    0
    Really liked first season, liked second one, but this time they changed the series into some kid love story BS. Couldn't endure more then three episodes, even fast forwarding a lot. Plot is boring, jokes are not funny, characters lost their charm. Everything is wrong. Can't force myself to watch it further for now.
  21. glomman
    Feb 2, 2020
    7
    Season 3 of Stranger Things is not as good as its predecessors in my opinion. While the others could stand on their own feet, Season 3 just isn't as exciting and original as the other ones. The characters, of which you can easily notice there arte too many, are often simplified and fall short. I want this series to be good as a whole, and it's understandable that you can't always bestSeason 3 of Stranger Things is not as good as its predecessors in my opinion. While the others could stand on their own feet, Season 3 just isn't as exciting and original as the other ones. The characters, of which you can easily notice there arte too many, are often simplified and fall short. I want this series to be good as a whole, and it's understandable that you can't always best yourself, but that all doesn't distract from the fact that this installment of Stranger Things is clearly not the best one, but still much better than many other shows I've watched on Netflix.… Expand
  22. Martinson
    Jan 13, 2020
    1
    Predictable, full of stereotypes and hollywood clichés. Harper is just screaming all the time, people do stupid mistakes all the time. First season was a masterpiece, second season was meh and the the third season is unwatchable.
  23. Lucas_t
    Dec 25, 2019
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This season is about trying to be the first two seasons in one. The lack of originality bothers because they are the same events but with different characters. Like Billy taking Will's place in the seasons. There is nothing groundbreaking and some characters that were essential for the past two seasons have just become supporting characters that add nothing to the story.… Expand
  24. Borgoros
    Sep 30, 2019
    3
    Not as good as the first and second season for a lot of reasons already mentioned.
  25. kenzedd
    Sep 22, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really disappointed by this season. I think the writing has had an overall drop in quality. (not to mention missing plot threads from season 2 like the demogorgon in the fridge or the other test subject) TLDR at bottom.

    Stuff like 4 teens and a child breaking into a super secret Russian base, walking through a main hub in sailor outfits completely unnoticed was beyond unbelievable. It was tooo campy and tropey. And so much of the writing has just become total cliché. Like literally just terrible lines of dialogue and overdone scenes.

    The show used to take 80s tropes and play them out in a more modern, innovative way. Now it just throws them at you like its a game of dodgeball. Gorey 80s zombie flicks, Russian terminator, aggressive product placement, 80s music scenes,typical "Hello Doctor" interrogation with the "you Bastards!" thrown in... And it's all shallow and without thoughtfulness.

    Character arcs are a mess. Like all of them except Steve and Robyn. They all start interesting, and then disappear for the action after a few episodes... Which would be fine except that all the action is punctuated by total ridiculousness. Any intensity that is built up is destroyed, like the Dusty and Suzie sing song, or the extended Robyn and Steve drugged up scenes in the middle of the most intense moments. If you're going to break up the action with something, could it please be meaningful dialogue? We get so little of it, and so many unfunny try-hard "memeable" scenes.

    Billy is the worst case of underdevelopment. Like they just used him for plot. Show us a few scenes of a stereotypical childhood trauma and then a moment of redemption and it's all okay? Am I meant to forget that he's abusive to his sister and probably a racist? Where'd that go? Max has no issues with him now? What wasted potential for development.

    Also, why even bother with the drama for Alexei? Even the characters didn't give him a second thought literally minutes later. I really think Mr. Paranoid wouldn't have just casually and obviously brought him out in public anyway tbh. Totally ridiculous.

    What did I like? Seeing all the young actors hit puberty, grow like a foot taller and have deeper voices, hahaha. I can't belive that we actually all do that! TLDR: All in all I think they went for style over substance for a show which really had both just last season. I hope they redeem themselves for the next season...    … Expand
  26. thisistheslam
    Sep 2, 2019
    8
    Stranger Things again thrives on its special something, that one intangible that makes a show a cut above average but you might be challenged to define what exactly that is. Season 3 delivers a nice bit of suspense, light horror elements, and good characters in a fun 80s package. I never felt like the season dragged or the direction was boring. I pursuing the idea of the Mind Flayer thatStranger Things again thrives on its special something, that one intangible that makes a show a cut above average but you might be challenged to define what exactly that is. Season 3 delivers a nice bit of suspense, light horror elements, and good characters in a fun 80s package. I never felt like the season dragged or the direction was boring. I pursuing the idea of the Mind Flayer that the show teased at the end of season 1 and at times in season 2 is a treat visually and for pacing. Eleven's journey to be a more powerful superhuman also lends a little extra fun to this sci-fi adventure. But it's the way it's all put together - the serious tone, the near-horror like visuals, the fun 80s setting, and the characters never feeling worthless that make this show so good. Season 3 continues the bar of excellence and while it may only have 1 more season I've never like the show Needs more seasons simply because things are usually tied up nice enough to let things be. Though make no mistake, I'm happy to have a couple more seasons if the quality remains this high.… Expand
  27. MovieNights
    Aug 31, 2019
    3
    Stranger Things' seems to suffer from what happens when you take a popular and very well liked tv show or movie, and then you make a new season or movie and it ends up stinking because it has a different director, actors, etc. and then the quality from the original just totally falls off. This is seemingly 'Stranger Things' season 3. The overall quality of just, everything that made seasonStranger Things' seems to suffer from what happens when you take a popular and very well liked tv show or movie, and then you make a new season or movie and it ends up stinking because it has a different director, actors, etc. and then the quality from the original just totally falls off. This is seemingly 'Stranger Things' season 3. The overall quality of just, everything that made season 1 and 2 absolutely fantastic just isn't there in season 3.

    There first half of the season is spent on character building in a new, more grown up future that not just fails to make me care more about the characters, but it bored me. Everything that happens, none of it matters later in the season. There's also plot holes scattered throughout which really hurts it. but there's other parts of this season that are just absolutely horrible like Erica, who's a super annoying brat and just you want her out of the show.

    What happened to ST season 3? Did the original director or writers move on or something? Because overall, season 3 isn't anywhere as good as the previous 2 seasons. It just doesn't have "it". Everything that made the previous 2 seasons great not only aren't present in this one, there are things in this season that make it far worse. With that said, the positives of what I did like is Dustin's gf story, and the ending that was actually pretty darn sad so while I didn't really enjoy this season, I'm still looking forward to season 4.    … Expand
  28. Trainer58
    Aug 30, 2019
    0
    Worst season, one and two were good, this season was laughable, Bored to tears, if you have a season 4, please redeem yourselves...
  29. MasterRiley
    Aug 27, 2019
    10
    Stranger Things: Season 3 is a fantastic continuation of the beloved series. This season feels tonally different from the first two, due to it taking place in the summer rather than the fall. This is great though, as it allows the show to have a lot more fun with the characters and presents some of the best comedy in the entire series. Its also very dark at times as well and presents someStranger Things: Season 3 is a fantastic continuation of the beloved series. This season feels tonally different from the first two, due to it taking place in the summer rather than the fall. This is great though, as it allows the show to have a lot more fun with the characters and presents some of the best comedy in the entire series. Its also very dark at times as well and presents some of the scariest scenes in the show so far. For most of the season, the characters are separated into different groups as they go on different journeys. The pairings of characters really allow for great comedy and drama as they interact with each other. There are a lot of standout characters this season that get really satisfying character development. If you enjoyed either of the previous seasons I can’t see why you wouldn’t like this one.… Expand
  30. CarnageRules
    Aug 25, 2019
    6
    A pesar del lento y un tanto forzado comienzo, esta temporada logra mantener al espectador intrigado durante gran parte de su desarrollo, tal como sus temporadas anteriores.
    El problema, es que mientras más cerca está el final, menos relevancia parece tener lo visto anteriormente. A fin de cuentas es un truco conocido en esta serie, que se repite una vez más pero que resulta especialmente    A pesar del lento y un tanto forzado comienzo, esta temporada logra mantener al espectador intrigado durante gran parte de su desarrollo, tal como sus temporadas anteriores.
    El problema, es que mientras más cerca está el final, menos relevancia parece tener lo visto anteriormente. A fin de cuentas es un truco conocido en esta serie, que se repite una vez más pero que resulta especialmente evidente y molesto en esta ocasión.
    Para finalizar, el final es tan poco trabajado e insulso que termina por sepultar todo lo bueno que tuvo esta temporada. De que sirve una trama interesante si el desenlace de la misma es decepcionante?
    En este sentido los creadores fueron tramposos. Pues ponen tanto énfasis en los “giros” (por así llamarlos) del último capítulo, que los defectos de producción del mismo pasaran inadvertidos para la mayoría de espectadores.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best TV Season of 2019
4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
97
#97 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Al Horner
    Jan 3, 2020
    80
    Stranger Things 3 practices what it preaches: instead of the pure nostalgia of previous seasons, the Duffer brothers break brilliant, terrifying new ground here.
    Read full review
  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jan 3, 2020
    60
    Over-familiarity is the biggest issue in an eight-part series that refuses to stray from the Goonies-meets-Stephen King formula. ... Stranger Things is on more solid territory addressing the growing pains its teenage protagonists.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    80
    It’s a real and joyful return to form for the show that has been taken fiercely to the hearts of people who weren’t there the first time round and, perhaps even more fiercely, by those who were. The brothers continue to play with, reference and occasionally lift all the things that made the Johns, Carpenter and Hughes, and the Steph(/v)ens, King and Spielberg, enduringly great and mash them into something equally fun, racy and frightening as hell for us all on the small screen. It’s almost like being young again.
    Read full review
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