The Duffer Brothers are all set to end 2025 with a blast. Netflix has officially announced the release schedule for the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things. It will unfold in three volumes each premiering on a special occasion. Volume 1 of Stranger Things drops on Thanksgiving, volume 2 follows on Christmas, and the grand finale will air on New Year’s Eve, making the year-end truly unforgettable for fans.
Even the makers have thanked their fans for their unwavering support and patience during the long wait for Season 5. The last episode of Season 4 aired on July 1, 2022, leaving viewers with a nail-biting cliffhanger. Since then, fan theories have run wild.
Viewers are speculating how our heroes will rescue Hawkins from the looming threat of the Upside Down. With Max in a coma and the portal to the dark dimension being torn wide open, everyone looks forward to an unforgettable adventure. The gang also prepares to face Vecna’s wrath and fight for the fate of the world.
Season 5 will introduce a few new faces including Linda Hamilton and Nell Fisher. New cast and return of fan-favorite duos have kept viewers eager. They are especially eager to see more of Dustin-Steve, Eleven-Max and Hopper-Joyce and Steve-Robin friendship on the show.
In a recent interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) reflected on filming the final season, saying, “It was emotional and great. Those people are family for life for me.”
When it comes to character arcs, the potential death of Steve Harrington tops the list of fan fears followed closely by Hopper and Max. Drawing parallels to The Vampire Diaries, where beloved characters like Stefan Salvatore met heartbreaking ends, fans are bracing themselves for similarly emotional goodbyes in Stranger Things. Joe Keery, who portrays Steve, has received unconditional love with his remarkable character development with a perfect blend of charm, depth, and comic timing. Fans across the globe will be in tears if his story ends in the finale.
One concern fans can’t ignore is the noticeable age gap between the characters and their roles. Since Stranger Things first premiered in 2016, delays due to COVID-19 and production issues have pushed the seasons further apart. As a result, the once-believable high school setting now feels a bit stretched. The characters no longer look like teens who are battling to save the world.
Comments on the Season 5 trailer include some humorous ones like, “I was 12 when Season 1 came out. My friends and I used to watch it together. Now I’m 97 and living in a nursing home. Can’t wait for the final season,” and “Gonna need one hell of a recap video to remember what happened 36 years ago.” Despite the witty responses, the excitement for the grand finale remains stronger than ever. For many of us, including myself, Stranger Things is more than just a show. We grew up with these characters, and are not yet ready to say goodbye. This isn’t just the end of a series—it’s the end of an era.
Coming to the BTS, fans were thrilled to see the cast members sharing sneak-peeks and fun videos on their official social media handles as they filmed for the show back in 2024, officially wrapping it up in December. A few fans also got to be part of the official BTS video shot in Atlanta by Netflix, featuring Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo giving fans a tour of the Season 5 set.
Similarly, Stranger Things official Youtube account also posted a BTS video which seems to be quite promising. Duffer brothers call out this season to be one of the best. They reassure fans that it’ll definitely be worth the wait. Lucky for the viewers, November is only a few months away.
To everyone who is looking forward to this year being a banger, Stranger Things has got you covered. Be it the mind-blowing cinematography, the amazing character arcs, or storylines that will make your heart race, we’re expecting this finale to be a super duper hit leaving fans with a wonderful overall experience that blends nostalgia, thrill, and raw emotion. As the curtain falls on one of Netflix’s most iconic series, it promises to be a bittersweet goodbye that will stay etched in the hearts of fans for years to come.