From Hawkins To Hollywood: 10 Stranger Things Stars And Their Massive Career Pivots In 2025

The final season of *Stranger Things* is looming, but the cast has already pivoted into massive new careers, making 2025 their biggest year yet outside of the Upside Down. The young actors who grew up on screen are now fully-fledged Hollywood players, taking on roles as directors, producers, musicians, and Broadway stars, proving their talent extends far beyond the borders of Hawkins, Indiana. As of December 2025, with the anticipated premiere of *Stranger Things 5* expected to wrap their iconic run, the ensemble cast is dominating film, music, and theatre with a diverse slate of projects that solidify their transition to adult stardom. This year marks a definitive turning point for the *Stranger Things* ensemble, showcasing their individual ambitions. From Millie Bobby Brown's production deals to Joe Keery's successful music career as Djo, and David Harbour's leap into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, their collective output in 2025 highlights a strategic and successful career evolution.

The Stranger Things Ensemble: Full Biography & Profile

The core cast of *Stranger Things* has been in the global spotlight since 2016. Here is a quick look at the main players and their foundational profiles before diving into their 2025 projects.

• Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven / El)
  • Born: February 19, 2004, Marbella, Spain
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *Enola Holmes*, *Damsel*, *Godzilla: King of the Monsters*
• Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler)
  • Born: December 23, 2002, Vancouver, Canada
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *It* (2017), *Ghostbusters: Afterlife*, *The Aubreys* (Band)
• Noah Schnapp (Will Byers)
  • Born: October 3, 2004, New York, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *Bridge of Spies*, *The Peanuts Movie* (Voice), Entrepreneurship (Snack Brand)
• Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield)
  • Born: April 16, 2002, Brenham, Texas, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *The Whale*, *All Too Well: The Short Film*, Broadway (*Annie*)
• Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair)
  • Born: October 13, 2001, Carmel, New York, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *The Lion King* (Broadway), *Concrete Cowboy*, Music (R&B Artist)
• Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson)
  • Born: September 8, 2002, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: Broadway (*Sweeney Todd*), Host (*Prank Encounters*), Voice Acting
• Joe Keery (Steve Harrington)
  • Born: April 24, 1992, Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *Fargo*, *Free Guy*, Music (Djo)
• Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley)
  • Born: July 8, 1998, New York, USA
  • Key Roles Beyond ST: *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood*, *Do Revenge*, Music (Singer-Songwriter)

The Young Stars' Massive 2025 Film and TV Slate

The core "kids" of *Stranger Things* have strategically used their platform to launch major film careers, with 2025 being the year many of their high-profile projects hit the screen. These moves showcase their versatility and intention to become leading men and women in the industry.

Millie Bobby Brown: Sci-Fi Blockbusters and Producer Power

Millie Bobby Brown, the undeniable breakout star, is cementing her status as a major player in science fiction and fantasy. Her biggest project for 2025 is the highly-anticipated Netflix film *The Electric State*, directed by the Russo Brothers (of *Avengers* fame), where she stars alongside Chris Pratt. The film, based on a graphic novel, is a huge step in her post-Eleven career, blending her blockbuster appeal with a compelling dystopian narrative.

Beyond acting, Brown is leveraging her production company, PCMA Productions. She is actively developing the sequel *Enola Holmes 3* and the new Netflix fantasy film *Just Picture*, ensuring her creative influence continues to grow. This dual role as both a leading actress and a producer is a rare and powerful pivot for a star her age.

Finn Wolfhard: Director, Musician, and Indie Darling

Finn Wolfhard is diversifying his portfolio perhaps more than any other cast member. In 2025, he makes his feature directorial debut with the horror-comedy *Hell of a Summer*, a project he also co-wrote and starred in alongside Billy Bryk. This shift behind the camera marks a significant professional milestone.

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On the acting front, he starred in the A24 fantasy film *The Legend of Ochi*, released in April 2025, and has the stunt comedy *Crash Land* lined up, co-starring Gabriel LaBelle. Wolfhard also continues his musical pursuits with his band, The Aubreys, further demonstrating his creative range across multiple artistic mediums.

Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin: Broadway and Biopics

Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield) is making a triumphant return to her theatre roots in 2025. She is set to make her West End debut in a major production of Shakespeare’s *Romeo and Juliet*, a move that showcases her commitment to serious dramatic acting following her acclaimed role in *The Whale*. This theatrical pivot is a prestigious move often sought by young actors looking to establish gravitas.

Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair) is transitioning into major biographical roles. He is slated to star in the highly-anticipated LeBron James biopic *GOAT*, which is expected to wrap filming around the time *Stranger Things 5* concludes. This role is a perfect vehicle for McLaughlin to showcase his dramatic range and athletic presence on screen.

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Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) is balancing his final season commitments with his fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures, including his successful snack brand. Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) is focusing on developing new projects and continuing his celebrated Broadway career, having recently starred in *Sweeney Todd*.

The Adult Cast’s Crossover Success in 2025: Marvel, Music, and Prestige TV

The older cast members are leveraging their *Stranger Things* fame to secure major roles in established franchises and prestige television, ensuring their relevance post-Netflix.

Joe Keery: From Babysitter to Rock Star (Djo)

Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) is arguably making the most successful career pivot into the music industry. Known by his stage name Djo, Keery is releasing a new album, *The Crux*, and has announced a major 2025 tour. His music career is not a side project; it is a full-fledged, critically respected endeavor that has seen him delete all his Djo-related Instagram posts to kick off the new album era with a fresh start.

In film, Keery has the horror-comedy *Cold Storage* with Liam Neeson and the indie film *RANGE LIFE* releasing in 2025, demonstrating his commitment to diverse film roles alongside his music.

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David Harbour and Winona Ryder: Franchises and Fashion

David Harbour (Jim Hopper) is firmly integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His major 2025 project is the highly anticipated MCU film *Thunderbolts\**, where he reprises his role as Red Guardian. This ensures his presence in a massive global franchise long after *Stranger Things* concludes. Harbour is also set to star in the HBO limited drama series *Black Rabbit* in 2025.

Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) is maintaining her status as a cultural icon. While she has the 2024 release of *Beetlejuice 2*, her 2025 presence is marked by high-profile fashion and cultural features, including a September 2025 cover for *Elle UK*, confirming her enduring influence and style legacy.

Maya Hawke: Music and New Projects

Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley) is also successfully balancing acting and music. Following the release of her album *Chaos Angel*, she announced a 2025 tour. However, her decision to cancel a portion of her US tour to take on a new, conflicting acting project suggests a major new role is on the horizon, fueling speculation about her next big move post-*Stranger Things*.

What the Future Holds Post-Stranger Things 5 (Expected November 2025)

The final season of *Stranger Things* is a monumental event, with the premiere of the first episodes of Season 5 widely cited for November 2025. The cast’s strategic career moves in 2025 are a clear indication that they are not waiting for the show’s end to define their future. The transition from a beloved ensemble to individual stars is often difficult, but the *Stranger Things* cast is navigating it with remarkable success. Their collective slate of projects—from prestige films and directorial debuts to major music releases and Broadway runs—positions them as a generation of actors ready to dominate Hollywood for decades to come. The final chapter of the Netflix phenomenon will be a celebration, but for the cast, it's merely the closing of one door before a dozen new ones swing open.