Stranger Things: 5 Ways Eleven and Max Are Friendship Goals (& 5 It’s Dustin and Steve)

Although both friendships are not a part of the main party in Stranger Things, the relationship between Steve Harrington and Dustin Henderson as well as the budding friendship between Max Mayfield and Eleven are two of the most well liked and interesting relationships in the entire series.

Both of these friendships embody friendship goals in different ways, and each relationship makes sense in ways and has dimensions that the other does not. But what makes the Steve & Dustin and the Max & El friendships legitimately enviable and iconic?

10 Eleven And Max: Because They Can Move On From Animosity

Although Eleven and Max Mayfield became legitimate friends in season 3 of Stranger Things, El clearly had no love for Max when she first arrived. Understandably, Eleven was alone and incredibly jealous of the fact that Max could be with her friends when she couldn’t.

But Max showed a lot of magnanimity when she went out of her way to be nice to El, and El learned how to get over her own biases to make a friend.

9 Dustin And Steve: Because Dustin Idolizes Steve, And Steve Loves Being Idolized

Obviously, unlike Max and El, there is a significant age gap between Steve and Dustin. That could be weird, but they fit into a really appropriate dynamic given the different places that they’re at in their lives.

Steve used to be King Steve, but has taken a few blows to his confidence and ego as of late, whereas Dustin still sees him as the super cool older guy. Their relationship makes both of them feel better about themselves.

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8 Eleven And Max: Because They Show Each Other That Boyfriends Aren’t Everything

Pretty much since she met Mike, he’s become the center of El’s world. And while Max isn’t the type to obsess over boyfriends, she really didn’t have many other people to socialize with outside of Lucas’ friend group.

So their relationship gave both of them a much needed respite from the 24/7 boyfriend obsession, and it’s good that they now both have someone to go to when they’re not in a boyfriend mood.

7 Dustin And Steve: Because They Find Adventures Together

While every character on Stranger Things becomes a part of an adventure one way or another, Steve and Dustin differ in that they actually go out and make their own fun (even if that fun very quickly turns dangerous).

A lot of the other kids sit around bored, waiting for something exciting to happen, but Steve and Dustin consistently find ways to entertain themselves and get things done no matter what situation they’re in.

6 Eleven And Max: Because They Open Up Each Other’s Worlds

Because El and Mike are so focused on each other, El’s exposure to the outside world since escaping the lab has been quite limited. And as a late addition to the party, Max really hasn’t had any of the wild supernatural experiences that the rest of the squad has.

However, their blooming relationship exposes both of the girls to a side of life that they have yet to experience.

5 Dustin And Steve: Because They Can Rely On Each Other

In a world where there are monsters, evil scientists, and diabolical government operatives coming out of every corner, it’s extremely important to have friendship where friends can rely on one another.

And one of the clearest aspects of the friendship between Dustin and Steve has been their ability to depend on each other from the jump. It doesn’t matter what dangerous situation they’re facing, they will always face it together.

4 Eleven And Max: Because They Help Each Other Be Themselves

Eleven and Max both have experience with being the new girl in town, and both of them were mostly accepted into the party.

It’s awesome that the party was so outgoing towards them, however those friendships have also drastically limited both of their social circles, and they more so have to adjust themselves to become a part of the group rather than the group adjusting for them. But their friendship has given them the opportunity to explore who they are outside of the party.

3 Dustin And Steve: Because They Build Each Other Up

Everyone needs to have a friend who always sees the best in them, and that seems to be the relationship that Steve and Dustin have with each other.

Even if neither of them is doing fantastic in certain aspects of their lives, they both always encourage each other and assure each other that they’re really great, talented, and fun individuals. Even when they know the other is failing, they’re always kind to each other and try to build up the other’s confidence.

2 Eleven And Max: Because They Trust Each Other

Something that is immediately obvious even in the early days of Max and El’s friendship is that they both have a lot of trust in each other’s judgment.

When El is upset with Mike, she very readily takes Max’s advice about dating and friendship, and immediately believes her when she says that boyfriends aren’t everything. And when Mike is extremely upset at the prospect of El using her powers again, Max comes to her defense and says that El can choose what to do for herself.

1 Dustin And Steve: Because They Will Literally Die For Each Other

Steve and Dustin’s friendship is so iconic because they are literally the definition of ride or die.

Whenever either one of them is heading towards danger, the other is never far behind, and they will not abandon each other to save themselves even when things get serious and scary. That’s a friendship goal if there ever was one.

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