Dead by Daylight is once again crossing over into the “Upside Down” with a renewed Stranger Things collaboration that continues to excite fans of both franchises. Behaviour Interactive just released a new teaser trailer for Dead By Daylight Stranger Things Chapter 2. The crossover, which originally became one of the game’s most iconic licensed chapters, is now being expanded with new teased characters and renewed attention from the Stranger Things universe. At the center of this new wave of content are Dustin Henderson and Eleven, who have been teased as the next major playable Survivors, with fan-favorite characters Eddie Munson and Robin Buckley also heavily hinted at for future additions.

The series finale of Stranger Things demonstrated the continued massive appeal and cultural impact of the show by breaking into the theatrical landscape in a major way. On New Year’s Eve 2025, the finale debuted simultaneously on Netflix and in over 600 cinemas across North America, drawing enormous fan interest and generating an estimated $20–$25 million in revenue for theaters through mandatory food and beverage voucher sales tied to the screenings. Reports indicated that over 1.1 million vouchers had been sold ahead of the event, and AMC Theatres alone reported $15 million in concessions revenue, highlighting how dedicated audiences were willing to turn out for a TV event in a cinema setting. This strong performance for a streaming series’ finale underscores Stranger Things’ position as one of Netflix’s most watched and culturally significant shows.

Following the massive success in popularity of the hit Netflix original series Stranger Things, it should come as no surprise to fans of the game and the show that a second collaboration was in the works. Dead by Daylight has collaborated with other popular television programs in the past like The Walking Dead. However, it was revealed back in November by the official Dead by Daylight X account that the game would be including more Stranger Things content. 

Stranger Things returns to The Fog.

January 2026. pic.twitter.com/EKrSvuIOVY

— Dead by Daylight (@DeadbyDaylight) November 27, 2025

The original Stranger Things collaboration first launched in Dead by Daylight on September 17, 2019. This chapter marked a major milestone for the game, as it brought one of Netflix’s most popular series into the asymmetrical horror experience. The collaboration introduced the Demogorgon as a Killer and added Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler as playable Survivors. Alongside the characters, the Hawkins National Laboratory map was added, featuring tight corridors, dark rooms, and unsettling environmental details that captured the eerie tone of the show. The chapter was widely praised for how faithfully it adapted Stranger Things’ atmosphere into Dead by Daylight’s gameplay.

Despite its popularity, the Stranger Things chapter was removed from Dead by Daylight on November 17, 2021, due to licensing issues between the developers and Netflix. The removal meant that the Demogorgon, Steve, Nancy, and the Hawkins map were no longer available for purchase, which disappointed a large portion of the community. For nearly two years, the collaboration remained inaccessible to new players, becoming a highly requested return among fans.

That return finally happened on November 28, 2023, when Dead by Daylight officially re-added the Stranger Things content to the game. The Demogorgon, Steve Harrington, Nancy Wheelerand the Hawkins National Laboratory map all made their comeback, restoring one of the game’s most beloved chapters. The re-release was celebrated across the community and reaffirmed how important the Stranger Things collaboration had been to Dead by Daylight’s history.

Now, the focus has shifted toward the future of the crossover. Dustin Henderson and Eleven have been teased as the next major characters to join the game, signaling a new chapter inspired by later seasons of Stranger Things. The trailer features a full likeness of actors Millie Bobby Brown for Eleven and Gaten Matarazzo for Dustin. However it’s currently unknown if voice lines from these actors will be included. The trailer also confirms that the Public Test Build will be launching tomorrow, January 6. 

One of the most intriguing aspects of the upcoming Stranger Things: Chapter 2 in Dead by Daylight is the likely addition of Vecna as the new Killer, giving players a terrifying antagonist straight from the hit series’ storyline. Vecna, originally known in Stranger Things as Henry Creel before becoming the powerful supernatural villain in later seasons, has already been confirmed to join Dead by Daylight’s roster as part of the January 2026 chapter, aligning with the release of the Stranger Things crossover. This version of Vecna is distinct from the Dungeons & Dragons–themed Vecna that appeared earlier in the game’s Chapter 32  there he was featured under the title “The Lich.” However the Stranger Things Vecna is specifically tied to the Netflix universe and brings his telepathic menace into the Fog. The trailer clearly hints at his presence as the central threat of the new chapter, and fans expect his abilities to reflect his creepy, mind-bending power from the show, potentially revolving around psychological control and high map pressure during chases.

With the return of the original characters and the teasing of new ones, the Stranger Things collaboration feels stronger than ever. By honoring its 2019 origins while building toward future additions, Dead by Daylight continues to blend familiar characters, supernatural horror, and tense gameplay in a way that keeps fans invested.