Stranger Things Cast: Their Fight for Fair Pay
When Stranger Things first premiered in 2016, it became an instant pop culture phenomenon. However, while the show skyrocketed to success, its young stars were initially earning modest salaries compared to their adult co-stars. Over time, the cast negotiated for major raises, securing paychecks that matched the show's massive impact.
Early Salaries & Initial Pay Gap
In the first two seasons, the main child actors—Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp—earned around $20,000 per episode. Meanwhile, David Harbour (Hopper) earned $80,000, and Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) led the pay scale with $100,000 per episode.
As the show grew in popularity and revenue, the cast pushed for higher paychecks to reflect their contributions.
Season 3: Major Pay Raises
Before Season 3, the cast successfully renegotiated their salaries:
- Winona Ryder & David Harbour: Increased to $350,000 per episode
- Finn, Gaten, Caleb & Noah: Increased to $250,000 per episode
- Millie Bobby Brown: Her exact salary wasn’t confirmed, but reports estimate she earned around $300,000 per episode—placing her between the child actors and the adult leads.
This marked a major win for the young actors, who had become household names and played pivotal roles in the show's success.
Related: Inside Millie Bobby Brown’s Daily Routine: Skincare, Self-Care & More
Who Is the Highest-Paid Stranger Things Star?
Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, is likely the highest-paid actor from Stranger Things. By Season 4, she reportedly earned over $1 million per episode—largely due to her rising fame, major brand deals, and other high-profile projects like Enola Holmes.
Biggest Child Star Success Since Stranger Things
While all the young actors have built impressive careers, Millie Bobby Brown has been the biggest breakout star. She has landed major roles in films like Enola Holmes, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Damsel. Additionally, she launched her own beauty brand, Florence by Mills, and secured multi-million-dollar endorsement deals with brands like Louis Vuitton and Samsung.
Other notable success stories include:
- Finn Wolfhard: Starred in It, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and directed his own film.
- Noah Schnapp: Built a strong social media presence and expanded into entrepreneurship.
- Gaten Matarazzo: Landed Broadway roles and continued acting in film/TV.
A Win for Fair Pay in Hollywood
The Stranger Things cast’s pay negotiations highlight the importance of fair compensation in Hollywood, especially for young actors carrying a major franchise. Their fight for better salaries set a precedent, ensuring that performers in hit shows get their fair share of success.
