18 most disliked Stranger Things characters, ranked

10. Mike Wheeler

Let me just start off by saying I personally like Mike. He’s one of my favorite characters, actually! He’s so dependable, passionate, and really loves Eleven. But there are so many Stranger Things fans who dislike Mike. Many find him annoying, among other things. If you take a look at popular social media platforms, you’ll see the hard feelings for the character.

One Reddit thread in particular asked why people hate Mike so much, to which one user explained they think the writers just don’t know what to do with him because they give him boring storylines, and sometimes his only point is to be El’s love interest. Another said that he is mean to Max in season 2 and they don’t like that, while others highlighted he isn’t the greatest friend to Will in season 4. One even said they believe Mike is controlling over Eleven.

Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, discovered that people don’t like Mike at the German Comic Con Limited Edition in Dortmund last summer, and she was shocked.

Mike’s addition to the list is the most controversial one, so I’m sure if you don’t agree with this take, the rest will be easier to digest!

9. Billy Hargrove

Yes, Billy Hargrove is a heartthrob, but he’s also a pretty bad person. Not only is he mean to his stepsister Max, but he’s also sparked accusations of racism from Stranger Things fans. The character is introduced in season 2 when he and Max move to town, and he’s unpleasant right from the start. He’s verbally abusive to Max, and he even threatens to run over Mike, Dustin, and Lucas while he’s driving.

When Max starts hanging out with Lucas, Billy doesn’t approve and is completely unfair about it. He grabs Max’s wrist at one point and hurts her, making her cry. By the third season, he becomes one of the main villains when he’s possessed by the Mind Flayer. Though Max doesn’t believe he deserves to die, he does meet his fate by the season 3 finale. Many fans might think that was a good thing.