4 Stranger Things Characters That Dropped F-Bombs (& When)

Stranger Things may have a youthful cast, but that doesn't mean they avoid swearing, and some characters have even dropped the F-bomb. For the most part, Stranger Things' cast members largely avoid using the F-word in favor of less aggressive alternatives, initially to reflect the show's somewhat child-friendly tone.

Between season 1 and the ending of Stranger Things season 5’s finale, though, the show has matured alongside its characters. This means that, as of 2026, a handful of the show's characters have uttered the word f**k. That said, some of these instances could be easily missed.

The most recent utilization of the F-bomb comes during one of the biggest spoiler moments of Stranger Things season 5, at the height of the gang's climactic showdown against Vecna. Before that, three other characters uttered the word, with all three instances being found in season 3, when the ages of Stranger Things' characters began to allow for a darker tone.

With all that being said, here are the four Stranger Things characters who have uttered the F-bomb, and exactly when they did so.

Will Byers - Season 3, Episode 3, "The Case of the Missing Lifeguard"

The first use of the F-bomb in Stranger Things comes from one of the most unlikely characters, Will Byers. Quiet, shy, and generally courteous and soft-spoken, Will changes the status quo during one moment in Stranger Things, season 3, episode 3. As alluded to, Stranger Things season 3 started to reflect the older age of its characters in its tone and writing.

One way the show explored this was via Mike and Lucas' relationships with Eleven and Max, respectively. As was officially confirmed in Stranger Things season 5, volume 2's ending, Will is not someone who shares his friends' romantic feelings for girls. During season 3, though, Will had not fully acknowledged these feelings.

This led to a scene in Stranger Things season 3, episode 3, during which Will's confusing frustrations reached a boiling point. After arguing with Mike and Lucas, Will returns to Castle Byers, a symbol of his childhood and friendships that he feels are slipping away. Will's anger spills over, leading him to destroy the Castle and yell out a distraught"F***!" as he does so.

Up to this point in the series, Will was the only character in the main cast who had never cursed, so starting out with such an intense expletive makes it clear how close to breaking he felt. However, due to the score playing loudly, the diegetic sound of an ongoing thunderstorm, and the scene not utilizing captions, this moment could easily go unnoticed by viewers.

Billy Hargrove - Season 3, Episode 4, "The Sauna Test"

After Will's outburst, the next instance of the F-word in Stranger Things is found in the very next episode. Without a doubt, this is the most violent and frightening use of the F-word, uttered by Hawkins' bad boy, Billy Hargrove. Having been possessed by the Mind Flayer/Vecna in Stranger Things season 3's opening, Billy tries to manipulate the gang and his younger sister, Max.

However, the kids trap him in a sauna to burn out the Mind Flayer's particles. Billy begins to weep, appearing to be in genuine pain, before the Mind Flayer abruptly takes full control and launches Billy at Max.

Billy smashes the window to the sauna, yelling, "I'll f***ing gut you!" at his sister. Will's connection to the monsters is enough to warn Max just in time, but the scene remains incredibly tense, especially in light of the explosive hatred, violence, and vitriol that bursts from Billy.

Max Mayfield - Season 3, Episode 6, "E Pluribus Unum"

The third use of the F-word in Stranger Things, and the third in season 3, is slightly different. Unlike Will's and, especially, Billy's scenes, the third is not actually a complete swear as the character is cut off.

Max Mayfield, younger stepsister of Billy Hargrove and one of the newest members of the Hawkins gang, almost drops the F-bomb after her brother did earlier in the season. As Nancy is being attacked by a grotesque Mind Flayer quadruped, Max and Eleven enter the hospital room, with the latter blowing the door wide open.

The two watch as the creature turns and focuses its attention on them. Max, as anyone would, utters a surprised "What the fu-" before Eleven uses her powers to send the creature flying backward.

Joyce Byers - Season 5, Episode 8, "The Rightside Up"

The final, and most recent, usage of the F-bomb in Stranger Things is, undoubtedly, the most cathartic of them all. Midway through the feature-length season finale, after the defeat of the Mind Flayer and the freeing of the kidnapped kids, Joyce ends Stranger Things by killing Vecna.

Joyce walks towards Vecna, who was previously impaled on a spike by Eleven, and hefts her axe. Before cutting off his head with multiple blows, Joyce states, "You f***ed with the wrong family." The entirety of Stranger Things had been building to this moment, with Joyce delivering the final blow against the series' overarching antagonist.

For this reason, as well as the excellent performances, rousing musical score, and flashbacks to the moments in which Vecna terrorized each character the most, Joyce's use of the F-bomb is excellent in Stranger Things, proving the show saved the best for last.