What is the title of the first episode of "Stranger Things"?

The story behind the answer

The first episode of "Stranger Things" is titled "The Vanishing of Will Byers."

Also known as "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers," the episode introduces Hawkins, Indiana, and the central mystery of the series. After spending the evening playing Dungeons & Dragons with Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, Will rides home through the woods and encounters a terrifying creature. He disappears, setting the entire story in motion.

The premiere also introduces Joyce Byers's desperate search for her son, Police Chief Jim Hopper, Hawkins National Laboratory, and Eleven, the mysterious girl who escapes into the woods. These storylines gradually converge as the characters uncover the existence of the Upside Down.

The episode was written and directed by series creators Matt and Ross Duffer. Netflix released it on July 15, 2016, alongside the rest of season 1. The original pilot project was associated with the title "Montauk" before the series was renamed and relocated to fictional Hawkins.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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