As production commenced on Season 5 of “Stranger Things,” the beloved series had transformed from a successful show into a flagship franchise for Netflix. This evolution is clearly reflected in the substantial pay increases for the main cast, especially when comparing their earnings from earlier seasons to their final-season contracts.
Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, earned her pay through a deal that included other Netflix projects such as the “Enola Holmes” films. While specific per-episode figures were not revealed, her total compensation is estimated to be in the eight-figure range, illustrating her status as a top-tier star.
Winona Ryder retained her position at the top of the salary scale, earning about $1.2 million per episode across the eight episodes of Season 5, amounting to around $9 million for the season. Her consistent pay reflects her importance to the show’s legacy since its inception.
David Harbour, who portrays Hopper, also saw his earnings rise to about $1.2 million per episode, matching Ryder’s salary. His character’s growing significance throughout the series contributed to his increased leverage in contract negotiations.
The younger cast members experienced remarkable salary growth as well. Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike, started with a mere $20,000 per episode but saw his earnings surge to approximately $875,000 per episode in Season 5, totaling around $7 million for the season. Similarly, Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink, and Caleb McLaughlin, each earned about $875,000 per episode, culminating in roughly $7 million for their respective roles.
Joe Keery, who plays Steve, and Natalia Dyer as Nancy also benefitted from the series’ success, with each receiving around $750,000 per episode, translating to approximately $6 million across the season. Their pay reflects not only their characters’ development but also their sustained presence in the series.
Noah Schnapp, who portrays Will Byers, experienced a similar upward adjustment, with reports indicating his pay reached around $875,000 per episode for Season 5, aligning him with the rest of the original cast.
The impressive earnings of the cast underscore the show’s unparalleled success and continuing impact, signifying a bright future not only for “Stranger Things” but also for its talented ensemble. As the franchise continues to grow, fans can look forward to more thrilling storylines and character developments in the seasons to come.