“Stranger Things” Cast Transformation & Premiere Looks Through The Years  — See Photos

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Image may contain Matthew Modine Winona Ryder Gaten Matarazzo Millie Bobby Brown Clothing Apparel Human and Person

Stranger Things 4 is just around the corner and, of course, the cast is reuniting once again to celebrate.

On May 14, Netflix held the official premiere for the series' long-anticipated fourth season in Brooklyn, New York, and the cast dressed up for the occasion. The last premiere event held for the show was in June 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic halted production of the series in March 2020. Normally time jumps are reserved for fictional stories, but I guess in a way this was one as well.

However, the three-year wait is now almost over and season 4 of Stranger Things arriving soon — or, at least the first half of it is. ICMY, back in February, the Duffer Brothers announced season 4 will be divided into two volumes. The first, which we have gotten multiple previews of, will hit Netflix on May 27 and the second will follow suit later in the summer, on July 1. 

Back when the volumes were unveiled, the series creators also announced season 5 of Stranger Things will serve as the closer. “Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things. At the time, we predicted the story would last four or five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four, but — as you'll soon see for yourselves — we are now hurtling toward our finale. Season 4 will be the penultimate season; season 5 will be the last,” the duo shared.

With an end on the horizon and an amazing journey behind us, we thought, “what better time to look back at the series' premieres than now?” Below, we have rounded up every single look the Stranger Things stars have worn to celebrate the release of new seasons. BRB, while we cry at these transformations. (Time is wild, people!)

Millie Bobby Brown

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

MBB's transformation is no joke. Stranger Things was her breakout role, which she landed when she was just 11 years old. (She was 12 when the series premiered.) Now, she's 18 and we have seen her grow Eleven's iconic buzzcut into a bob and now blonde long hair.

Finn Wolfhard

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017, Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Paris Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Though Finn skipped the premiere for season 1, he made up for it by attending two events for season 3. Finn was 13 when the show premiered and he will be 20 this December. (Curious to see if anyone knows how many inches taller he has grown since season 1 because we know it's a lot.)

Noah Schnapp

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Noah immediately captivated audiences as the lovable Will Byers when season 1 premiered in 2016. He was 12 at the time, the same age as his character. Born in 2004, Noah is now 17 years old and I bet you didn't know he has a twin sister named Chloe

Gaten Matarazzo

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Gaten Matarazzo was also immediately beloved by Stranger Things viewers. Coming from Broadway, the actor was 13 when the series premiered.

Caleb McLaughlin

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Can we take a minute to appreciate Caleb McLaughlin's glow-up? The actor, who was 15 when the show premiered, has really grown into his fashion sense over the years and we love to see it.

Sadie Sink

(L-R) Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017, Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022

Composite: Getty Images

Sadie Sink joined the cast during season 2 in 2017 and has brought impeccable style ever since. 

Joe Keery

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

The man, the hair, the legend. Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington, was 24 when the series premiered in 2016 and now just turned 30.

Natalia Dyer

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Natalia Dyer was 21 when we first saw her as Nancy Wheeler on our screens and is now 27 and embracing dark hair and bangs.

Charlie Heaton

(L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022

Composite: Getty Images

Natalia and Charlie have been a romantic item since 2016, but the British actor has skipped half of the premieres.

David Harbour

(L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022

Composite: Getty Images

David Harbour's style has definitely gotten flashier throughout the years. For the premiere of season 1, he opted for an all-black suit but fully embraced the Stranger Things universe with a customized blazer for season 4. (Sadly, he skipped Season 2!)

Winona Ryder

(Top; L-R) Stranger Things Season 1 Premiere in 2016, Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017
(Bottom; L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022


Composite: Getty Images

Winona needs no introduction, so let's just admire her premiere looks.

Dacre Montgomery

(L-R) Stranger Things Season 2 Premiere in 2017, Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022

Composite: Getty Images

Like his on-screen sister Sadie, Dacre joined the cast during season 2, when he was just shy of 23. Now, the actor is 27.

Priah Ferguson

( L-R) Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere in 2019, Stranger Things Season 4 Premiere in 2022

Composite: Getty Images

Priah Ferguson stole everyone's hearts when she was introduced as Erica Sinclair, Caleb's on-screen sister, during season 2. The Atlanta native was only a guest star then but she became a show regular for season 3. She was 12 when season 3 premiered in 2019 and will be turning 16 on October 1, 2022.

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