Final Episode of 'Stranger Things' Features Iconic Prince Track and 80s Hits

The concluding episode of the series 'Stranger Things,' titled "The Rightside Up," which premiered on December 31, 2025, or early January 1, 2026, cemented its narrative climax with a carefully curated soundtrack of significant 1980s music.

This final installment continued the series' established tradition of utilizing classic tracks from the 70s and 80s to establish its signature atmosphere of horror and nostalgia. Central to the episode's peak moments was Prince's 1984 composition, "When Doves Cry." This single achieved notable success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and being named the best-selling single of 1984, securing Platinum certification from the RIAA. The track, the lead single from the album 'Purple Rain,' notably displaced Bruce Springsteen from the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 'Purple Rain' album was further represented in the finale's score by the title track, "Purple Rain." The album itself was a commercial success, spending 24 consecutive weeks at the summit of the Billboard 200 following its 1984 release. This commercial achievement placed Prince alongside Elvis Presley and The Beatles as one of the few artists to simultaneously hold the number one positions for an album, single, and film in the United States. Actor Noah Schnapp confirmed that "Purple Rain" was played loudly on set to help establish the required emotional tone.

The eighth episode, "The Rightside Up," directed by the Duffer Brothers, ran for approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes, positioning it as the second-longest episode in the series' history, following "The Piggyback." The episode premiered on December 31, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET in the United States. For the first time, the premiere was simultaneously broadcast on Netflix and in over 350 theaters across the United States and Canada, with screenings continuing into January 1, 2026, elevating the conclusion to a major event.

The musical arrangement for the finale featured contributions from several other prominent artists, underscoring the series' commitment to the era's aesthetic. The verified tracklist included Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," Pixies' "Here Comes Your Man," Iron Maiden's "The Trooper," and David Bowie's "Heroes." Additionally, The Chords' "Sh-Boom" and Cowboy Junkies' "Sweet Jane" were included in the closing musical palette. Notably absent was Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)," which had become strongly associated with the character Max Mayfield in previous seasons.

The episode concluded with David Bowie's "Heroes" playing over the end credits, a choice described as both moving and direct. The title, "The Rightside Up," serves as a direct parallel to the first season's finale, "The Upside Down," symbolizing the return of Hawkins to a normal world, a concept previously articulated by the character Mike Wheeler.