Millie Bobby Brown’s ‘Casual Micro Bob’ Is the Perfect Update to Last Year’s Chop

Millie Bobby Brown has short hair again and she’s totally on trend for 2026.

A new haircut is often more than just a beauty statement. Sometimes it also marks a new chapter in life. This is precisely the feeling one gets when seeing MBB on the red carpet with her new casual bob: confident and seemingly ready for a new beginning. After the emotional farewell to the hit series, Stranger Things, the actor now appears to be embarking on a new chapter aesthetically as well—and her latest look is becoming one of the most important hairstyle inspirations for 2026.

Millie Bobby Brown recently did press for the fifth season of Stranger Things with strikingly long, shimmering red hair. So it was all the more surprising when she appeared at the Joy Awards with a chin-length bob. The haircut is one of the hottest hairstyles of 2026 as it’s modern, clean, and yet absolutely casual.

She had already dared to try a short bob haircut last year, albeit blonde at the time. The new version is cut angularly above her chin and is reminiscent of the popular micro bob that was also so popular last season. The extra volume and light waves, courtesy of her long-time hairstylist Pete Burkill, adds an even more elegant, modern touch.

This elegance was complemented by a shimmering silver dress by Tamara Ralph. The short chop immediately draws the eye to the gown’s flowing waterfall neckline and the fine jewelry by Chopard, creating a harmonious overall look that combines elegance and a flair for trends.

Ultimately the cut, which you can see here, is inches shorter and more layered than the extension-free wavy bob she showed off on Instagram in June 2025:

Why bob haircuts à la Millie Bobby Brown are so trendy in 2026

In 2026, the bob stands for change and self-confidence. It is variable, uncomplicated and emphasizes facial features. Cuts that don’t look neatly cut but play with movement and texture are particularly popular, just like Millie Bobby Brown is now proving.

This change also fits in with the grand finale of Netflix’s mystery hit. The final season picks up only around 20 months after season four, so Eleven, Will (Finn Wolfhard), and co. are still at the end of their childhood. Hawkins is now a restricted military area, the traces of Vecna’s attacks are omnipresent—and the crew is gearing up for the final battle. In season five, the female characters take center stage. Eleven trains for emergencies, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) leads the search for Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), and Robin (Maya Hawke) transmits coded messages via her radio show, even hidden in songs such as “Upside Down” by Diana Ross.