The creators themselves have suggested four “must” episodes to rewatch:
- Season 2, Episode 4 – “Will the Wise”
- Season 2, Episode 6 – “The Spy”
- Season 4, Episode 7 – “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”
- Season 4, Episode 9 – “The Piggyback”
If you want story refresh
These four episodes are the best compact prep because they focus on the mythology of the Upside Down, Will’s connection to it, and Eleven/Henry/Vecna’s backstory, all of which stay central later on. Rewatching only these saves you from doing a full-series marathon while still reminding you who’s tied to which monster, what happened in the lab, and why Hawkins is still in danger.
If you want the biggest emotional hits
If you’re in the mood for the show’s most intense, emotional hours, add:
- Season 3, Episode 8 – “The Battle of Starcourt”
- Season 4, Episode 4 – “Dear Billy”
These bring back key character sacrifices, big battles, and Max’s arc with Vecna, which many fans and critics highlight as some of the most powerful moments in the series.
Quick rewatch set
If you want a tight “highlight reel,” this is a strong 6‑episode list to rewatch:
- S2E4 “Will the Wise”
- S2E6 “The Spy”
- S3E8 “The Battle of Starcourt”
- S4E4 “Dear Billy”
- S4E7 “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”
- S4E9 “The Piggyback”
That mix gives you the crucial plot setup plus the most iconic emotional and action-heavy sequences without committing to the whole series again.
