‘Stranger Things’ FInale Included Eddie Munson Graduation Callback Many Fans Missed

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for Stranger Things’ Series Finale

Viewers have spotted a touching tribute to a fan-favorite character who joined the show in Season 4 and didn’t survive. Although opinions are divided on whether the series finale was a success, many fans are sharing positive reactions online, focusing on heartwarming moments rather than small plot issues or perceived cautious choices by the creators. One popular post points out how Eddie Munson was subtly brought back into the story through Dustin’s graduation speech.

After Season 4 finished, a lot of fans held onto hope that Joseph Quinn, who later starred in Fantastic Four, would return in some way. Even though the actor repeatedly said he wouldn’t be back—and his character had clearly died—some viewers still expected to see Eddie Munson appear as a ghost, spirit, or in another form during the final moments of the show.

That particular scene didn’t quite play out as Eddie predicted, but fans really enjoyed a moment that echoed his earlier, rebellious graduation speech. Earlier in Season 4, Eddie jokingly described his plans: he’d walk across the stage, make eye contact with Principal Higgins, give him an obscene gesture, grab his diploma, and then run away as fast as possible.

Dustin concluded his powerful graduation speech by repeating a message Eddie had hoped to share, had he been able to attend. This moment effectively addresses criticisms that the show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, left loose ends untied – demonstrating they made sure to resolve any storylines they considered important.

‘Stranger Things’ Could Never Please Everyone but Did Enough


Netflix

Ending a popular, long-running show is incredibly difficult because millions of fans all have their own ideas about the perfect conclusion. With Stranger Things, for example, some viewers hoped to see a romantic relationship develop between Will and Mike, while others wanted a happy ending for Mike and Eleven. Many also wanted to see some favorite characters meet tragic ends in the final episodes.

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Ultimately, most of the characters survived the series, with the Duffer brothers choosing to leave their futures open. The main exception was Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, who sacrificed herself to finally defeat the threats from the Upside Down. This outcome felt likely, as the Duffer brothers had already indicated they didn’t have plans for Eleven in any future spinoffs and felt her story had reached its conclusion.

With the main storylines involving Vecna and the Mind Flayer now resolved, fans are wondering what the future holds for the Stranger Things universe. While an animated series, Stranger Things: Tales from 1985, is planned for 2026, the long-term plans for the franchise remain unclear. However, given the show’s massive popularity, there’s clearly a strong audience ready for more.

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2026-01-02 02:52