When Stranger Things season 4 introduced us to Eddie Munson, we instantly fell in love with him. He was just like us—owned a cult club, played guitar, liked Dungeons & Dragons & sold dope stashes to kids (okay, not exactly like us). All this only to kill him in the end. But with Season 5 on the way, many are asking: Is Eddie really gone, or could he return in Season 5?

Only if we have a quick dig into the theories, hints, and possibilities that hint Eddie’s comeback.

Why did fans fall in love with Eddie Munson?

Before we talk about Eddie’s possible return, let’s see why Eddie made such an impact and  fans loved him so much. 

Played by Joseph Quinn, Eddie Munson was the leader of Hawkins High’s Hellfire Club in Season 4. With his rebellious style, kind heart, and close friendship with Dustin, made him instantly relatable and beloved. 

Even though people in town judged him, he proved himself as a brave and loyal hero. His final act—fighting Demobats in the Upside Down—was both heartbreaking and heroic. But was it really the end for him?

Eddie’s death: Was it truly final?

On-screen, Eddie died in Dustin’s arms after the Demobats attacked him. His body stayed in the Upside Down, and Hawkins never even held a memorial for him—which seems suspicious.In Stranger Things, death isn’t always final. With psychic powers, alternate worlds, and even Hopper coming back after “dying” in Season 3, anything’s possible. So could Eddie return too? Let’s look at the clues.

Also read: Will Byers’ season 5 storyline

Clue #1: The power of the Upside Down

The Upside Down is a strange and mysterious place where time doesn’t move forward. Nancy even discovered her house frozen exactly as it was on one day back in 1983. In this weird dimension, the normal rules about life and death don’t seem to apply.

Because of this, some fans think Eddie’s body—left behind in the Upside Down—might be changed by its unnatural environment. Could this place be keeping Eddie’s mind alive somehow? Or might it even bring him back, but different than before?

Clue #2: Vecna’s plans and the “Kas the Bloody-Handed” theory

One of the most interesting fan theories comes straight from Dungeons & Dragons—a game that’s been important throughout Stranger Things. In D&D lore, there’s a character named Kas the Bloody-Handed. He started as Vecna’s loyal lieutenant but later betrayed him.

Fans think something similar could happen with Eddie in Season 5. The theory goes that Vecna might bring Eddie back—not as himself, but as a dark warrior or twisted servant. But just like Kas, Eddie could eventually turn against Vecna and help the heroes. 

It makes sense when you consider the Demobat bites, Eddie’s love of D&D, and how his story ended.This wouldn’t just be a cool moment for fans—it would actually fit perfectly with the show’s story and rules.

Clue #3: Joseph Quinn’s cryptic comments

Joseph Quinn hasn’t given any clear answers about Eddie coming back, but he hasn’t ruled it out either. In interviews, he’s dropped some interesting hints:

“I’d love to return. There could definitely be a way for it to happen.

“”In Hawkins, you can never say never.”

The Duffer Brothers have also talked about how popular Eddie became with fans. While they’ve stated that Eddie died, we know they sometimes hide big surprises and plot twists. After all, they kept Hopper’s survival a complete secret before Season 4.

Clue #4: No body, no goodbye

In Stranger Things, important characters usually get proper goodbyes – like Bob, Billy, and Alexei all did. But Eddie’s story ended differently. There was no funeral, no gravestone, and no real closure for the people who cared about him. 

The only mention we got was when Dustin spoke briefly to Eddie’s uncle.This feels intentional. As any fan knows, if you don’t see a body, the character might not really be gone. And in Eddie’s case, nobody ever recovered his body from the Upside Down. That missing piece keeps hope alive.

Also read: Return of Stranger Things past characters

How could Eddie return in Season 5?

1. Returning as Kas the Bloody-Handed 

Eddie might come back as a dark version of himself under Vecna’s control, only to eventually break free and help the heroes – just like in D&D lore.

2. Appearing as a memory or vision

Characters like Dustin, Max or Eleven could see visions of Eddie at important moments. These might give them comfort, guidance, or the strength to keep fighting.

3. Brought back by the Upside Down  

The strange powers of the Upside Down might somehow revive Eddie – either in his normal form, or as something different and changed by that dark dimension.

4. A different Eddie from another world  

If the show introduces parallel dimensions, we might meet another version of Eddie from a different timeline – though this hasn’t been hinted at yet.

Should Eddie return?

Fans are split into two on whether Eddie should return or not

For viewers, having Eddie back would be an exciting and emotional moment. Many feel his death came too suddenly, leaving his story unfinished. A proper return could give his character the closure and development he deserves.

But from a storytelling perspective, his comeback would need to matter. It couldn’t just be about making fans happy—it would have to push the plot forward, raise the stakes, and connect to the show’s bigger messages about courage, loyalty, and second chances.

If handled well, Eddie’s return might become one of the most memorable moments in the final season.

Final thoughts: Will Eddie Munson return?

While nothing is set in stone, there are plenty of clues—both in the story and from fan theories—that suggest Eddie Munson might return in Stranger Things Season 5. Whether he comes back as Kas the Bloody-Handed, appears in visions, or surprises us in a completely new way, one thing feels certain: his story hasn’t reached its true ending yet.

The Duffer Brothers have shocked us with clever twists before. Now, with the final season coming, Eddie’s return could deliver exactly the kind of heartfelt, game-changing moment this show does best.