What Will Happen In 'Stranger Things' Season 4? Netflix Renewal Prompts Fan Theories About Hopper's Death

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Netflix announced on Monday that Stranger Things will return for a fourth season. The fan-favorite sci-fi series follows a group of teens who face otherworldly horrors as they try to stay alive in Hawkins, Indiana.

Season 3 premiered in July, with many fans devouring the latest episodes in just a few days. Theories about what might happen in a potential fourth series swirled and built excitement about an uncertain future. Some ideas surrounded the new storyline of characters moving away from Hawkins, while most seemed to focus on the possibility that one beloved character may not be dead after all.

Hopper Stranger Things
Hopper's fate was one of the biggest talking point surrounding 'Stranger Things' Season 3. Netflix

The end of Season 3 was more bitter than sweet for most viewers who mourned the death of policeman David Hopper. The stand-in father for Eleven was seemingly killed as he sacrificed his own life to save the group of children. A teaser after the final Season 3 credits, though, gave some fans hope Hopper may not be dead after all.

The teaser showed a handful of Russian men talking about "the American" they seem to have in captivity. Whether Hopper is "the American" is unclear, but some fans took to Twitter to celebrate the possibility he may be alive after all.

ok yes i am REACHING BUT THIS LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE ASS PERSON AND THAT WHOLE ASS PERSON LOOKS LIKE HOPPER IM . ITS . I HAVE MO WORDS OM VRUING BYE pic.twitter.com/9OmwVKMndH

— 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 (@elstozier) September 30, 2019

wHAT IF HOPPER IS SOMEHOW SURVIVING IN THE UPSIDE DOWN AND HAS BILLY WITH HIM JKDFJDS THEYRE LIKE HIDING OUT IN THE UPSIDE DOWN VERSION OF HIS CABIN pic.twitter.com/lB511K7WtO

— 𝐞𝐥𝐢 - 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 (@ahoykeery) September 30, 2019

IMAGINE IF THEYRE IN RUSSIA TRYNA SAVE HOPPER 😳 #strangerthings4 BOI pic.twitter.com/2ZE3sdFdh3

— mr philly schofield (@GirlsInTheCorn1) September 30, 2019

A popular theory claims Hopper may not have been captured by Russians, or died. Some think he could have entered the gate to the Upside Down before it closed. How Hopper would get back is a mystery, but the Season 4 teaser seems to imply the Upside Down will be an important part of the upcoming plotline.

The announcement trailer, released on Monday, shows a version of the Upside Down, very much active. At the end, it claims "We're Not In Hawkins Anymore." This could simply refer to the idea that many of the main characters moved away, or it could symbolize that the Upside Down may be a place of importance not only in theory, but in actual setting.

If Hopper really is in the Upside Down, it's possible he was found by Russian scientists, as they seem to be the only ones who know how to enter the secret realm. Fans on Twitter also noted in the Season 4 teaser, there's a flashlight-looking spot, which could symbolize a human in the spooky world.

Others pointed out the flashlight seems to be coming from a structure that resembles Hopper's real-life cabin.

Stranger Things Season 4 does not yet have a premiere date.

About the writer

Kelly started a career in journalism after completing her education at The New School in New York City. She currently lives in Chicago. In her free time, Kelly can be found writing (duh), exploring her city, and frequenting a handful of coffee shops. She's an avid reader, music listener, and dog lover. Kelly's writing talents have landed her in a variety of positions, including her current job as a Culture Writer at Newsweek, as well as formerly interning at Rolling Stone Magazine and writing about music at Atwood Magazine. She also runs the blog Just Cut The Bullshit which is known for its mental health advocacy. 


Kelly started a career in journalism after completing her education at The New School in New York City. She currently ... Read more