Will Byers’ Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

Stranger Things

Onscreen

26 November 2025

2 mins

Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, is one of the most pivotal characters in Stranger Things, whose journey has been central to the series’ overarching story. Introduced in Season 1 as the quiet, sensitive, and artistic friend of Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, Will quickly becomes the catalyst for the series’ events when he mysteriously disappears into the Upside Down. His abduction sets the stage for the show’s exploration of supernatural forces and the bravery of the Hawkins kids, while also highlighting the emotional stakes for his family and friends. Will’s experiences make him one of the most sympathetic and enduring figures in the series, and his story continues to evolve in unexpected and compelling ways.

Watch Will Byers’ Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

Revisit Will Byers’ Top Moments in Stranger Things, the boy who started it all. From his haunting experiences to his quiet strength, Will’s journey defines the heart of the series.
In Stranger Things Season 4, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) plays a quieter but deeply emotional role, caught between the growing distance among his friends and his own internal struggles. While the Byers family and Eleven have started a new life in California, far from Hawkins and the horrors of the Upside Down, Will finds that he still doesn’t quite fit in.
Now a high schooler, Will has traded in his crayons and sketches for acrylic paints, spending most of his time on art — something that becomes an outlet for his feelings. Eleven suspects that he might have a crush at school, but it’s clear Will’s struggle runs deeper than that. He feels disconnected, unsure of where he belongs, especially as his friends start to grow up and grow apart.
When Mike comes to visit California, Will’s quiet longing becomes more visible. Mike and Eleven are focused on their relationship, and Will often ends up as the third wheel, left out and unsure how to express what he’s really feeling. The tension between him and Mike builds subtly throughout their scenes together — through glances, hesitation, and emotional restraint.

Will Byers’ Top Moments

Will’s importance to the story is immense, as he embodies both the human and supernatural elements of the series. He serves as a bridge between the normal world and the dangers of the Upside Down, and his connection to the supernatural allows the group to understand and confront these threats in ways others cannot. Will also represents resilience and vulnerability, showing the impact of trauma on a young person and the importance of friendship, family, and support systems in facing unimaginable challenges. His struggles make him a deeply relatable character and a critical figure in understanding the emotional and narrative stakes of Stranger Things.

From Seasons 1 through 4, Will’s character develops in profound ways. In Season 1, his disappearance drives the central mystery, and the story largely revolves around rescuing him from the Upside Down, introducing viewers to both the dangers of Hawkins and the bonds of friendship and family. Season 2 explores the lingering effects of his time in the Upside Down, including visions of the Mind Flayer and episodes of trauma, illustrating how deeply his experiences have shaped him. By Season 3, Will continues to struggle with the aftermath of his past, feeling increasingly isolated as the town faces new threats like the Mind Flayer and the Russian conspiracy beneath Starcourt Mall. Season 4 further emphasizes Will’s emotional depth, highlighting his sensitivity, his struggles with identity, and his ongoing connection to the supernatural, showing him growing into a thoughtful and empathetic young man who still carries the weight of his past experiences.

Will’s personality is defined by his sensitivity, intelligence, and empathy. He is thoughtful, creative, and deeply loyal to his friends and family, often putting their needs above his own. His experiences with the Upside Down have made him more introspective and cautious, yet he retains a quiet courage that emerges in critical moments. Will shows that heroism is not always loud or aggressive; sometimes it comes from endurance, emotional strength, and the ability to persevere despite trauma and fear.

Looking ahead to Season 5, Will Byers is expected to play a crucial role in helping the group face the ultimate threats from the Upside Down. His unique connection to the supernatural, his empathy, and his resilience will continue to be vital as Hawkins confronts its most dangerous challenges yet. Fans can anticipate Will stepping further into his role as both a survivor and a guide, using his insight and experiences to support the team and help unravel the mysteries of the Upside Down. Will Byers’ journey from the scared boy lost in the Upside Down to a key figure in the fight against evil is one of Stranger Things’ most compelling arcs, and his story is poised to reach its emotional and heroic peak in the series’ final season.

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Will Byers’ Top Moments - Will Byers’ Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

Watch Will Byers’ Top Moments in Stranger Things RANKED

More about Will Byers’ Top Moments

In Stranger Things Season 4, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) plays a quieter but deeply emotional role, caught between the growing distance among his friends and his own internal struggles. While the Byers family and Eleven have started a new life in California, far from Hawkins and the horrors of the Upside Down, Will finds that he still doesn’t quite fit in.

Now a high schooler, Will has traded in his crayons and sketches for acrylic paints, spending most of his time on art — something that becomes an outlet for his feelings. Eleven suspects that he might have a crush at school, but it’s clear Will’s struggle runs deeper than that. He feels disconnected, unsure of where he belongs, especially as his friends start to grow up and grow apart.

When Mike comes to visit California, Will’s quiet longing becomes more visible. Mike and Eleven are focused on their relationship, and Will often ends up as the third wheel, left out and unsure how to express what he’s really feeling. The tension between him and Mike builds subtly throughout their scenes together — through glances, hesitation, and emotional restraint. This culminates in one of Will’s most poignant moments of the series: when he shows Mike a painting he made of their D&D party fighting a dragon, with Mike leading the charge. Will tells him that he’s “the heart of the group,” giving a speech about Eleven’s love and Mike’s importance to their team. But it’s clear to the audience that Will isn’t just talking about Eleven — he’s talking about himself. He’s pouring out his feelings for Mike in a way that Mike doesn’t fully understand, and it’s heartbreaking.

Throughout the season, Will struggles silently with his identity and isolation. His brother Jonathan notices his distress during that van conversation but chooses to comfort him later in a quiet, brotherly way, reminding Will that he’ll always have someone who understands him.

Will also serves as a kind of emotional compass for the group. When Eleven doubts herself and her powers, Will reminds Mike that he is the one who gives Eleven strength — reaffirming that the group’s unity and love for each other are what truly make them powerful.

By the end of Season 4, Will’s connection to the Upside Down resurfaces. When he returns to Hawkins after the massive “earthquake,” he feels the chill and dread of Vecna’s presence before anyone else does. It’s a haunting reminder that the shadow of the Upside Down — and his link to it — has never really left him. As the season closes, Will’s quiet sensitivity turns ominous: he knows Vecna is still alive, and his ability to sense the monster suggests that his story — and his importance — is far from over.

In Season 4, Will may not have the flashiest storyline, but his emotional depth anchors the show’s human side. He embodies the lingering trauma, unspoken love, and quiet bravery that define Stranger Things at its core.