The epic nine-year journey of Stranger Things reached its dramatic conclusion on 1 January 2026. The fifth and final season on Netflix delivered a spectacular, emotion-packed ending, but not without a significant cost. Fans have been left wondering which beloved characters from Hawkins made it out alive after the ultimate battle against Vecna and the forces of the Upside Down.
Major Casualties in the Final Confrontation
While the season saw a large overall body count—over 100 deaths according to fan wikis, mostly Dr. Kay's soldiers and creatures—the finale focused its emotional weight on a few key figures. The climactic battle at the MAC-Z facility and within the Upside Down sealed the fates of several central players.
Lt. Akers met his end by Eleven's hand, forced to turn his own weapon on himself using her telekinetic powers. His final act, however, was to fatally shoot Kali (Number Eight), just before the helicopter she was in exploded. This moment of sacrifice became a pivotal turning point.
The arch-villain Vecna (Henry Creel) was finally vanquished. In a brutal and unexpected twist, it was Joyce Byers who delivered the killing blow, decapitating him with an axe. This followed a fierce psychic struggle where Eleven, assisted by Will Byers tapping into the hive mind, forced Vecna onto a spike of the monstrous Pain Tree.
The Fate of Eleven: Sacrifice or Escape?
The most heart-wrenching moment appeared to be the loss of Eleven. As a bomb detonated to seal the gate at the MAC-Z, she was seen standing heroically in the portal, disappearing as it closed forever. This act of self-sacrifice left her friends and viewers devastated.
However, the series concluded with a final, hopeful narrative twist. In an epilogue, Mike Wheeler shares a 'true story' with the party about the Mage (Eleven). He reveals that Kali, before dying, concocted a plan with El. Using her illusion powers, Kali projected an image of Eleven at the gate, allowing the real El to escape through tunnels to a hidden sanctuary—a place with three waterfalls, matching Mike's dream for them. The final shot shows Eleven walking free in a mountainous landscape, though whether this is truth or Mike's comforting belief is left ambiguous.
Who Survived Stranger Things Season 5?
The list of survivors is extensive, offering fans relief after the tense finale. The core Hawkins group all made it: Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max (now awake from her coma), Erica, Steve, Jonathan, Nancy, Robin, Hopper, Joyce, and Murray.
Even the Wheeler parents, Karen and Ted—who survived a Demogorgon attack—are alive, alongside Holly Wheeler and her friends. Other survivors include Mr. Clarke, Derek, and various family members. Dr. Kay remains at large, her fate after the gate's closure unknown.
The finale, while wrapping up major storylines, stayed true to the show's history of protecting its core ensemble, as hinted by the creators' past reluctance to kill main characters. The journey that began in 2016 closes with a mix of tragedy, victory, and a touch of enduring mystery.
