The Upside Down is closing its gates — for good. Today at Tudum, Netflix announced that Stranger Things Season 5 will officially premiere on November 26. That’s when Volume 1 of the show will officially debut, with Volume 2 set to debut on Christmas, and the grand series finale on New Year’s Day, bringing an end to one of the most iconic series in the streaming era. It’s the conclusion of a pop culture phenomenon that began in 2016 and helped reshape what episodic storytelling could look like in the digital age. After nearly a decade of Demogorgons, secret labs, synth-heavy scores, and some truly appalling hair, the residents of Hawkins are taking their final bow — and for the young cast, it’s the end of an era they literally grew up in.
Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, Stranger Things became a defining series for Netflix, blending ’80s nostalgia with supernatural thrills, sharp writing, and emotional depth. It’s helped spark new life into forgotten classics — most famously Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” — and introduced a new generation to the joys (and terrors) of Dungeons & Dragons, horror movies, and Eggo waffles.
Speaking with Variety, the Duffer Brothers offered a few updates on Season 5’s progress. “Right now, we’re just cutting all the visual effects sequences for the show so they can get started on those,” said Matt. “A lot of it hasn’t been decided, in terms of exactly the release dates and cadence. That’s one reason I’m not allowed to talk about it. We’re getting on a call in about a couple weeks about it.” He added that both Netflix and the Duffers want the season out in 2025, but even that’s a “push.” Ross chimed in to say they remember cutting it close during Season 4 — with VFX still being worked on after the show premiered. “Hopefully we’ll be a little more on this year…”
What Did Finn Wolfhard Say About ‘Stranger Things’ Ending?
Finn Wolfhard, who’s portrayed the 14-year-old teenager Mike Wheeler since the very beginning, opened up about how surreal it was to finish the series that defined his teenage years. “I was so happy with his ending, and I don’t know, I was satisfied, but I was also very confused and sad, but also very happy,” he said about wrapping the show. “It was definitely a lot… but it felt perfect. I felt like I was in a dream or something. None of it felt real.”
According to Wolfhard, the final day of filming was packed with emotion — and cast members didn’t leave each other’s sides. “The cast all stayed for the last day, we were all there together. It was really great to be around each other. I just couldn’t believe it at all.” As for how it felt after? “An emotional hangover,” he said. “But it ended really well, and I just have such positive things to say about everyone.”
Volume 1 of the series will premiere on November 26.
via Collider