The fifth and final season of Netflix’s popular show, Stranger Things, will arrive on November 26, 2025, after a three-year wait. Fans are getting ready to bid farewell to the characters and the thrilling sci-fi horror series. Eleven, Hopper, and their friends will face Vecna one last time in a final battle to save their town and the world.
The hit series Stranger Things first premiered in 2016 and quickly became popular around the globe thanks to its detailed setting, great actors, and compelling stories. Throughout the show, the Duffer Brothers cleverly reference the movies, TV shows, music, and pop culture of the 1980s. The final season will be released in three parts, with the very last episode coming out on New Year’s Eve 2025. Here’s a rundown of everything we know about the fifth and final season.
What Is the Premise of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5?
Netflix
The fifth and final season of the popular sci-fi horror series jumps forward 18 months to the fall of 1987. The story returns to Hawkins, which is now under military quarantine after the disastrous opening of the Rifts. Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, is in hiding while being actively searched for, but she and her friends must find Vecna before he can cause further destruction. According to series creators Matt and Ross Duffer, a key goal of the final season is to give a fitting conclusion to the characters who have been central to the story from the start, as Ross Duffer explained to Variety.
Besides the fantastical elements, we have a large cast of characters, many of whom are still actively involved in the story. It’s crucial to finish their storylines, as many have been developing since the beginning of the show. We’re trying to find the right balance between giving these characters satisfying conclusions and resolving the remaining mysteries and making our final reveals.
In a recent interview with Collider, the creators revealed that Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) will be a central character in the upcoming season of Stranger Things. The final episodes will connect back to the events of the first season. A major storyline will also focus on Eleven and what she’s been doing since disappearing after the intense battle at the end of Season 4, as hinted by Netflix. The season’s official description notes that as the anniversary of Will’s disappearance nears, a sense of dread returns, hinting at a final, more dangerous battle than ever before. The creators also emphasized Will’s important role alongside the other characters.
You’ll notice several characters are still developing, not just Will, but also Steve, Nancy, and even in Nancy’s relationship with Jonathan. While they’ve all made some progress, their stories aren’t finished yet.
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5: New and Returning Cast Members
The core cast of Stranger Things, including Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Joe Keery (Steve), and Priah Ferguson (Erica), will return for the final season to face Vecna one last time. Joining them will be new actors like Linda Hamilton, a Hollywood veteran, who will play the enigmatic Dr. Kay. Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux are also joining the cast as Holly Wheeler, Derek Turnbow, and Lt. Akers, respectively. These new and returning faces will help bring the popular Netflix series to a close after nine seasons.
Some favorite characters won’t be in the final season of Stranger Things. Eduardo Franco, who played Argyle, and Joseph Quinn, known as Eddie Munson, both won’t be returning. Franco mentioned in a January 2024 interview that he hadn’t received any calls about appearing in future seasons, implying his time on the show is over. As for Eddie Munson, despite years of fan hope and hints from Quinn, it’s now confirmed he won’t be resurrected. Matt Duffer explained to Empire in October 2025 that Eddie’s story has reached its conclusion.
Okay, so I’m totally obsessed with Joe Quinn, and I love how he’s been playfully messing with fans about Eddie Munson! But honestly, it’s pretty clear he’s not coming back to Stranger Things. The guy’s been incredibly busy – he’s already filmed like five other projects since then! Seriously, when would he even have the time? It’s sad, but yeah, Eddie’s really gone, and we have to accept that. He’s definitely staying put.
Stranger Things Season 5 cast members include:
- Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
- Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
- David Harbour as Jim Hopper
- Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
- Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
- Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
- Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
- Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
- Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
- Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
- Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
- Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
- Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
- Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna
- Brett Gelman as Murray
- Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
- Amybeth McNulty as Vickie
- Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler
- Jake Connelly as Derek Turnbow
- Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers
- Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Episodes and Release Schedule
Netflix
The ending of Stranger Things will likely be emotional for everyone, but fans can expect a thrilling finale! The final season will consist of eight movie-length episodes, released in three parts. The first set of episodes will be available on November 26, 2025, followed by the second on Christmas Day. The very last episodes will premiere on New Year’s Eve 2025, with all volumes dropping at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Fans will get to see the final episode in theaters! Over 350 locations across the U.S. and Canada will be showing the extended finale on both December 31st and January 1st. The Duffer Brothers are directing much of the last season, and they’ve brought in acclaimed director Frank Darabont to direct two episodes: “Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap” and “Chapter Five: Shock Jock.” Darabont is well-known for his work adapting Stephen King stories, including hits like The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, and for his role in developing The Walking Dead, so these episodes are in great hands.
| Stranger Things Volume | Release Date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Stranger Things Season 5 – Volume 1 | November 26, 2025 | Episodes 1–4 |
| Stranger Things Season 5 – Volume 2 | December 25, 2025 | Episodes 5–7 |
| Stranger Things Season 5 Finale | December 31, 2025 | Episode 8 |
I was so excited to be at the Netflix event in January 2025 and hear from the Duffer brothers themselves! They told us filming the final season of Stranger Things took a full year, and it was incredibly intense and emotional – honestly, they said there was a lot of crying on set. You could really feel how much the show means to everyone involved; they truly poured their hearts into it. But the good news is, even though this chapter is ending, they’re already thinking about the future! They’re working on spinoffs and even an anthology series, which means we’ll still get to experience this world and its stories. Ross Duffer hinted at what’s coming in the final season, and let me tell you, it sounds epic!
We ended up with over 650 hours of footage, making this by far our largest and most ambitious season. It’s the equivalent of creating eight major motion pictures – it’s truly incredible!
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2025-11-04 01:23