What’s Next for David Harbour After ‘Stranger Things’

David Harbour’s post-‘Stranger Things’ career includes ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ ‘Violent Night 2,’ and a true-crime thriller with Patricia Arquette.

We are officially in the thick of it. With Volume 1 of Stranger Things Season 5 behind us and the final episodes dropping on Christmas Day, the end of an era isn’t just coming—it is here. For nearly a decade, David Harbour has been our Jim Hopper. He went from the grumpy, chain-smoking chief of police to the dad we all wished we had (and the guy who could take down a Demogorgon with a sword).

Saying goodbye to Hopper is going to be brutal. There is no other way to put it. But while we are all stocking up on tissues for the finale on December 31, David Harbour is already busy building a career that proves he is far more than just the resident hero of Hawkins.

If you are worried that Harbour is going to disappear from your screen, don’t be. From Marvel blockbusters to a return of our favorite violent Santa, here is a deep dive into what is next for the man behind the badge.

The Marvel Juggernaut Continues

We already got a taste of Harbour’s staying power in the MCU earlier this year. When Thunderbolts hit theaters back in May, his return as Alexei Shostakov (aka Red Guardian) was a highlight. He managed to bring that same lovable, chaotic energy we loved in Black Widow to a full ensemble team.

But the Red Guardian isn’t hanging up the suit yet. Harbour has been officially confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for 2026. This is huge. It means his character is graduating from the “quirky side teams” to the main event. Seeing Alexei potentially interact with the likes of Thor or Sam Wilson’s Captain America? That is the kind of crossover chaos we live for.

Saint Nick is Back for Round Two

Let’s be honest. Violent Night was the holiday surprise we didn’t know we needed. Who knew seeing David Harbour wielding a sledgehammer as Santa Claus would be so satisfying?

The good news is that Universal Pictures knows a good thing when they see it. Violent Night 2 is officially on the calendar for December 4, 2026. While that means we have to wait another year for the sequel, the fact that it is locked in confirms that Harbour is cementing himself as a legitimate action franchise star. We are expecting more festive beatdowns and hopefully more backstory on how this version of Santa became such a warrior.

A Dark Turn in Evil Genius

While he dominates the action world, Harbour is also pivoting back to serious, character-driven drama. In November, news broke that he has signed on to star in Evil Genius, a true-crime thriller directed by none other than Friends alum Courteney Cox.

Based on the infamous “pizza bomber” case that many of you probably know from the 2018 documentary, this project sounds intense. Harbour will star alongside Patricia Arquette, which is a powerhouse pairing. This feels like a smart move for him. It is a gritty, grounded role that will distance him from the supernatural antics of Hawkins and the superhero landing of the MCU. It reminds us of his early work—raw and psychological.

Animation and Voice Work

Harbour is also keeping his voice acting skills sharp. If you caught Creature Commandos late last year on Max, you heard him as Eric Frankenstein. It was a weird, fun expansion of his relationship with the DC Universe (yes, he plays in both Marvel and DC sandboxes).

Looking ahead to early 2026, keep an eye out for GOAT. It is an animated sports comedy from Sony Pictures Animation arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day (February 13, 2026). Harbour is part of a voice cast that includes sports legends, and it looks like a fun, lighter project to balance out the heavier roles on his slate.

The Levon’s Trade Connection

We also saw him team up with Jason Statham earlier this year in Levon’s Trade (also known as A Working Man in some markets). Playing Gunny Lefferty, he took on the “mentor” role—a space he occupies so well. If you missed it in theaters during the spring, it is definitely worth a rental now that it has hit streaming. It proves he can hold his own against genre titans like Statham without breaking a sweat.

The Verdict

David Harbour isn’t slowing down. He is speeding up.

Leaving a character as iconic as Jim Hopper is terrifying for any actor. You worry about typecasting. You worry that fans will only ever see you in that beige police uniform. But Harbour has been strategic. He has leaned into the action hero role that Stranger Things unlocked for him while choosing smaller, interesting dramas to keep his acting muscles flexed.

So yes, we are going to cry our eyes out when the credits roll on Stranger Things this New Year’s Eve. We will miss the dad dances and the coffee-and-contemplation mornings. But David Harbour? He is going to be just fine. And we will be seated for every single thing he does next.

Which upcoming project are you most excited for? Are you Team Red Guardian or Team Santa? Let us know in the comments below!