Stranger Things has always been an expensive series, with the last season reportedly costing $30 million per episode. The budget for the fifth and final season has further risen, largely due to the cast’s salaries.

The leading actors from the series have become worldwide stars and have played a major role in its success. With each installment of the series, the cast’s salaries have understandably increased. Over the years, the young actors have garnered more recognition and acclaim for their performances, making their wages commensurate with their contributions to the show.

Based on the latest update from Puck News, the cast of Stranger Things has successfully negotiated their salaries for the fifth season. Although the total salaries of the whole cast remain undisclosed, they are estimated to be approximately $80 million.

According to the report, the Stranger Things cast which includes approximately 20 actors in major roles, went into the negotiations together. Netflix then organized the cast into distinct “tiers,” wherein actors within each tier received identical salaries for their roles in the final season.

First Tier (David Harbour and Winona Ryder)

Winona Ryder and David Harbour have been positioned in the first tier as both are esteemed figures in the industry. Especially, Ryder was the most prominent name associated with the show before its initial release. As a testament to their integral roles, they are slated to earn a noteworthy $9.5 million for the upcoming season. This marks a significant increase from their previous season 3 salaries of $2.8 million. The substantial rise reflects their enduring contributions to the series and their established status within the cast.

Second Tier (Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matrazzo, Caleb McLaughlin)

The second tier comprises the original four young actors who assumed lead roles in the show: Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Finn Wolfhard. They are joined by Sadie Sink, following her standout performance in the fourth season. Their compensation for the final season will surpass $7 million.

It’s worth noting that these young actors received $25,000 per episode in the first season. The massive increase in their salaries underscores the remarkable journey they’ve undertaken in becoming pivotal figures in the series.

Third Tier (Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke)

The third tier comprises actors portraying young adults and older teens. It features talents such as Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke. Their compensation for the upcoming season is set to exceed $6 million.

As far as the fourth tier is concerned, it includes the remaining ensemble including Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Cara Buono. While the specific figures for this tier were not disclosed in the report, it has been noted that their earnings are notably lower compared to the cast members in the higher tiers.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Special Deal

Millie Bobby Brown‘s name is missing from the report because her salary structure is a distinct and highly valuable component. She has a pre-existing overall deal with Netflix which extends beyond her role in Stranger Things. This deal encompassed her roles in other Netflix productions such as the Enola Holmes films and the Russo Brothers’ upcoming project, The Electric State.

According to the reports, Brown’s compensation for her starring role in Enola Holmes 2 amounted to a remarkable $10 million. This substantial earning is a testament to her exceptional standing within the Netflix ecosystem. While Brown’s salary from Stranger Things 5 remains unknown, it is safe to say that she has earned much higher as compared to the rest of the cast.

Some people might be surprised to learn that Millie Bobby Brown is the highest-paid actor on Stranger Things. However, the entire cast truly deserves every penny for their incredible efforts in bringing the show to life.