The countdown to the end has officially begun. Netflix has finally revealed the release plan for STRANGER THINGS Season 5 — the final installment of the global sci-fi phenomenon. Fans can prepare to return to Hawkins, Indiana, one last time, as the streamer drops the final season in three separate parts starting this fall.
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will begin on November 26, 2025, with the release of its first four episodes. The second part will be released on December 25, just in time for Christmas, and will feature three more episodes. Then, to end the story on a dramatic note, the last episode will air on December 31, giving fans an emotional New Year’s Eve to say goodbye to the show. At 8 p.m. EST, all episodes will be released.
In 2016, Matt and Ross Duffer introduced viewers to the Upside Down, a mysterious parallel world full of scary creatures and haunting mysteries. This is the end of a journey that began in 2016.
The delay in the final season’s arrival — more than three years after Season 4 — was largely due to the industry-wide writers’ and actors’ strike that paused production throughout much of 2023. Filming for Season 5 officially wrapped on December 20, 2024.
Stranger Things Season 5 Episode Guide
Season 5 will consist of eight episodes. Although plot details remain tightly under wraps, Netflix has teased the titles of the upcoming episodes:
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 “The Crawl”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 2 “The Vanishing of …”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 3 “The Turnbow Trap”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 4 “Sorcerer”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 5 “Shock Jock”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 6 “Escape from Camazotz”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 7 “The Bridge”
• Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 8 “The Rightside Up”
Check Out the Complete Synopsis for Stranger Things 5:
“The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”
Stranger Things Season 5 Cast
The fourth season ended with major developments that paved the way for an epic final showdown. In the Season 4 finale titled “The Piggyback”, the team narrowly survived an assault by Vecna (played by Jamie Campbell Bower), the terrifying villain revealed to be behind all the horror in the Upside Down. His connection to the monstrous Mind Flayer and every creature that haunted Hawkins has now been established.
In a harrowing moment, Vecna nearly killed Max Mayfield (played by Sadie Sink), leaving her with broken limbs and a temporary flatline. Meanwhile, the final shots revealed that Hawkins is no longer safe — the Upside Down has started bleeding into the real world, threatening to consume everything.
Returning for the final chapter are all the core cast members who helped shape the heart of the series. Millie Bobby Brown reprises her iconic role as Eleven, alongside Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Noah Schnapp (Will), and Sadie Sink (Max).
Season 5 also features Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) and David Harbour (Jim Hopper), who were spotted in official photos from the set. Also confirmed are Charlie Heaton (Jonathan), Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Joe Keery (Steve), Maya Hawke (Robin), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), and Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair). A major addition to the cast this season is Linda Hamilton, who joins in a yet-to-be-revealed role.
The Duffer Brothers previously described Season 4 as “the beginning of the end.” With the arrival of Vecna and the collapse of the barrier between worlds, Season 5 is set to bring all storylines full circle — back to Hawkins, where it all started.
After nearly a decade of 1980s nostalgia, monster fights, friendship bonds, and emotional battles, Stranger Things will close its final chapter. Fans are hoping for answers, closure, and an unforgettable farewell to characters who’ve grown up on screen.
As Netflix prepares to say goodbye to one of its most iconic original shows, fans are counting down the days to see what fate awaits Eleven, Will, Mike, and the rest of the Hawkins gang.
Make sure to mark your calendars:
📅 November 26 – Episodes 1–4
📅 December 25 – Episodes 5–7
📅 December 31 – Series Finale
Stay tuned as more details come to light in the coming months.
Don’t miss any final updates, recaps, and previews for Stranger Things Season 5 — visit tvacute.com again soon for everything Hawkins!
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