Since it debuted on Netflix in 2016, Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon — a quite expensive one. Between the behind-the-scenes talent, the special effects, marketing, and a large cast whose salaries continue to climb, Puck News has reported that each episode of Stranger Things 5 (the show’s final season) costs between $50 and $60 million. As Matt Duffer, who co-created the series with his brother, Ross Duffer, once joked of making Netflix execs cry during their Season 5 pitch: “The only other time I’ve seen them cry is like, budget meetings.”
Indeed, these are eye-watering numbers! And quite a bit goes into the pockets of the actors who make the characters come to life. Here’s everything to know about the core Stranger Things cast’s estimated net worths, per Celebrity Net Worth — plus, how they make their money beyond battling the Upside Down.
Millie Bobby Brown
The team at Celebrity Net Worth estimates Millie Bobby Brown’s net worth to be $20 million. In addition to playing Eleven (aka El) on Stranger Things, Brown has starred in and produced several films at Netflix, including the popular Enola Holmes series. She’s also written a novel, Nineteen Steps, and founded her own brand, Florence by Mills, that encompasses fashion, beauty, and other lifestyle products.
Winona Ryder
Through a long, eclectic screen resume that includes Heathers, Girl, Interrupted, and Beetlejuice (and its sequel), Winona Ryder’s estimated net worth is $18 million. As for playing Joyce Byers specifically? Puck reports that aside from Brown — who’s believed to have her own “ridiculously lucrative” overall deal with Netflix — the rest of the Stranger Things cast’s salaries are divided into tiers. Ryder and David Harbour are reportedly in the top tier, with Puck citing sources who claim they’re bringing in $9.5 million each for their work on Season 5. (If you divide that figure by the final season’s eight installments, it works out to nearly $1.2 million per episode.)
David Harbour
In addition to playing Jim Hopper on Stranger Things, Harbour’s reported $6 million net worth includes Marvel money. The actor has starred in Black Widow and Thunderbolts, and is also set to return in Avengers: Doomsday.
Sadie Sink
In the next tier is Sadie Sink and the core “kids” — now IRL grown-ups! — of Stranger Things. According to Puck, this tier takes home just over $7 million apiece for Season 5, or about $875,000 per episode.
Sink’s estimated net worth is $4 million. In addition to playing Max on Stranger Things, Sink’s work in entertainment spans genres and mediums — from her buzzy appearance in Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” short film, to her turn in Oscar-winner The Whale, to her Tony-nominated role in John Proctor Is the Villain (which is soon getting the film treatment).
Gaten Matarazzo
Gaten Matarazzo’s reported $5 million net worth may stem primarily from playing Dustin on Stranger Things, but he had an accomplished theater resume before boarding the show — with roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Les Misérables, and more. He also lent his personality to Netflix’s hidden-camera series, Prank Encounters.
Caleb McLaughlin
Caleb McLaughlin’s net worth is estimated at $3 million. In addition to playing Lucas on Stranger Things, he’s a rising star of stage — previously playing young Simba in The Lion King — and screen, too, starring in Netflix films such as High Flying Bird, Concrete Cowboy, and The Deliverance.
Finn Wolfhard
Playing Mike on Stranger Things was one of Finn Wolfhard’s very first roles. But since his debut, he’s gone on to star in big projects such as the new It and Ghostbusters films, and recently released his debut studio album — all of which contribute to an estimated net worth of $4 million.
Noah Schnapp
Rounding out this reported second tier is Noah Schnapp, whose estimated net worth is $3 million. In addition to his acting career — most notably, playing Will on Stranger Things — Schnapp has also ventured into entrepreneurship with his snack brand, TBH.
Joe Keery
The third tier of Stranger Things salaries includes Joe Kerry as Steve — affectionately nicknamed the show’s “babysitter” by the fandom — and his older friends. According to Puck, this group reportedly makes just over $6 million apiece for the season (which works out to about $750,000 per episode).
Keery’s reported $4 million net worth has also included runs in Fargo and Free Guy. Of course, outside of Stranger Things, he’s well known for releasing music as Djo — including the viral hit, “End of Beginning.”
Natalia Dyer
The bulk of Natalia Dyer’s reported $4 million net worth may come from playing Nancy on Stranger Things, but her screen career also includes a recent turn in Based on a True Story and a critically acclaimed lead role in Yes, God, Yes.
Charlie Heaton
Charlie Heaton has an estimated net worth of $4 million.
The actor — who plays Jonathan on Stranger Things — forayed into the superhero universe with 2020’s The New Mutants, and will soon join Industry for its fourth season.
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