Dead by Daylight’s roster of horror icons is growing once more, and this time the return comes from one of the most culturally dominant franchises of the last decade: Stranger Things. Behaviour Interactive has officially confirmed that a second Stranger Things chapter is on the way, solidifying the Netflix series as one of the few external properties to collaborate with Dead by Daylight more than once. Until now, only Resident Evil held that distinction. The announcement not only reignited excitement among fans who missed the opportunity to purchase the previous DLC but also raised questions about how the developers plan to evolve the Stranger Things presence inside the Fog.
The first Stranger Things chapter originally launched in September 2019 and quickly became one of the game’s most recognizable crossovers. Featuring the Demogorgon as the Killer and both Steve Harrington and Nancy Wheeler as Survivors, the DLC stood out as one of Dead by Daylight’s most celebrated collaborations. However, due to licensing complications, the chapter was removed in 2021, taking the map and characters with it. Fans assumed the Stranger Things partnership had concluded for good.
Then, unexpectedly, the original Stranger Things bundle returned in November 2023—fully purchasable, fully functional, and met with massive enthusiasm. Players once again gained access to Steve, Nancy, and the Demogorgon for $11.99 (or 1,500 Auric Cells), making it one of the most successful returning add-ons in the game’s history. The Demogorgon, with its portal‑based map traversal and unique teleports through the Upside Down, instantly reclaimed its spot as one of the game’s most iconic Killers.
Now, Behaviour is doubling down.
Vecna Takes Center Stage in the New Chapter
On November 27, the official Dead by Daylight X account released a 20‑second teaser confirming that Stranger Things content is returning in the form of a brand‑new chapter scheduled for January 2026. The timing couldn’t be more strategic: Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 5 premiered just one day earlier in the United States. The crossover aligns perfectly with renewed global interest in the franchise as it enters its final season.
What caught players’ attention most was not the announcement itself, but the unmistakable confirmation hidden within the teaser—Vecna is coming to Dead by Daylight. Based on the series’ terrifying villain from Season 4, Vecna will almost certainly join the Fog as a new Killer. While exact gameplay mechanics remain a mystery, speculation is already exploding across the community.
One of the most intriguing points of discussion is how Behaviour will differentiate Stranger Things’ Vecna from the Dungeons & Dragons version of Vecna, who appeared in Dead by Daylight in June 2024 during the D&D Chapter. The D&D interpretation was heavily magic‑focused, with spellcasting abilities and fantastical mechanics. The Stranger Things version, however, is rooted in telepathy, psychological manipulation, and a haunting presence tied to the Upside Down’s lore.
This opens the door to a Killer power set built around mind control, vision disruption, hallucinations, or psychic paralysis—tools that could make Vecna one of the most fear‑driven characters Dead by Daylight has ever introduced.
Potential Survivors: Hopper and Joyce Lead Fan Predictions
If Behaviour follows the structure of the original chapter, the second Stranger Things DLC may also introduce two Survivors alongside the new Killer. While nothing is officially confirmed, the community consensus points strongly toward Jim Hopper and Joyce Byers.
The younger protagonists—Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will—are unlikely candidates due to the series’ lore and the game’s violent nature. Hopper and Joyce, on the other hand, are central adult characters whose personalities naturally align with Dead by Daylight’s survivor themes. Their potential perks could revolve around leadership, investigation, resilience, and environmental awareness, providing fresh gameplay interactions.
A New Map Could Be on the Horizon
The 2019 crossover added a map based on the Hawkins underground laboratory, one of Dead by Daylight’s most atmospheric recreations. With the new chapter, Behaviour has several iconic Stranger Things locations available for adaptation. Two possibilities stand out:
- The Creel House, the eerie home tied deeply to Vecna’s origins
- Vecna’s lair in the Upside Down, a visually intense setting filled with eerie red lighting, vines, and floating debris
Both environments would offer unique escape paths and thematic design opportunities consistent with the game’s horror identity.
A January 2026 Release Window and Possible Game Awards Appearance
Behaviour Interactive has confirmed that the new Stranger Things chapter is set to launch in January 2026, aligning well with Stranger Things Season 5 concluding early next year. Given the studio’s history with major gaming showcases, many fans believe additional details may surface at The Game Awards 2025.
Dead by Daylight has frequently appeared on Geoff Keighley’s stage in previous years. The Darkness Among Us chapter debuted during the 2018 show, and The Casting of Frank Stone—Behaviour’s narrative‑driven spin‑off—was announced at the 2023 ceremony. With this track record, a new reveal trailer at TGA seems highly plausible.
An Era of Speculation: The Community Reacts
For weeks prior to the official tease, the Dead by Daylight community had been buzzing with conflicting leaks. Some suggested a return to Stranger Things, while others insisted the next chapter would be a third collaboration with Resident Evil or even a Predator crossover. The confirmation of Vecna instantly silenced the noise and electrified fans who missed the 2019 collaboration or simply wanted more content from Hawkins and the Upside Down.
The combination of timing, nostalgia, and rich character potential places this chapter among the most anticipated DLC releases in recent Dead by Daylight history.
