The countdown to the end of Netflix's phenomenally popular series Stranger Things has begun, with the final chapter, Season 5, officially confirmed to be premiering sometime in 2025. The series, created by siblings Matt and Ross Duffer, has captivated audiences since its debut on July 15, 2016, becoming one of Netflix's flagship shows.
After facing delays due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG strikes, production on the much-anticipated fifth season finally kicked off on January 8, 2024. The Duffer Brothers revealed they had captured over 650 hours of footage during the filming process, which wrapped at the end of December 2024. This, they say, makes Season 5 their biggest and most ambitious yet.
At the recent Next on Netflix event, the Duffer Brothers shared insights about the upcoming season. Ross Duffer noted, “We spent a full year filming this season... it’s like eight blockbuster movies. It’s pretty, pretty insane.” His brother, Matt Duffer, added, “There’s no time for a ramp-up. It’s going to be intense from beginning to end.” This goal of achieving cinematic quality is consistent with previous seasons, especially with Season 4 featuring episodes as lengthy as two hours and twenty-two minutes.
Returning to the screen will be the fan-favorite cast members, including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, alongside David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers. New faces joining the final season include iconic actress Linda Hamilton and newcomers Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux.
Though many details about the plot remain under wraps, the Duffer Brothers hinted at significant developments within the storyline. The fifth season is expected to take place in the fall of 1987, one year after the dramatic events of Season 4.
Ross Duffer remarked, “It was super intense and emotional to film—for us and for our actors. We’ve been making this show together for almost ten years. There was a lot of crying. There was so much crying.” This sentiment signifies not just the emotional investment of the creators and cast but also the likely emotional toll on the fans.
A poignant moment came from Millie Bobby Brown, who reflected on her time on Stranger Things as she heads toward the show's conclusion. “I started when I was 10... It feels very weird,” she shared, encapsulating the bittersweet nostalgia surrounding the series' ending.
Significantly, the Duffer Brothers have indicated there are possibilities for future Stranger Things stories, stating, “There are more Stranger Things stories to tell and in the works.” They have confirmed they are developing various spin-off projects, aimed at exploring new narratives within the series’ universe. “It’s very important to us,” Matt Duffer stated, “that anything with the Stranger Things name on it is of the highest quality and not repetitive.”
Fans of the series can also look forward to the stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow, set to debut on Broadway after its successful run in London’s West End.
With growing excitement about the concluding season, Matt Duffer reflected on the emotional weight this series holds, stating, “We hope—and believe—that passion will translate to the screen.” The Duffer Brothers have promised each episode will encapsulate the essence of what fans have loved about Stranger Things throughout the years, weaving together relationships, supernatural elements, and thrilling adventure.
Mark your calendars, Stranger Things enthusiasts! While Season 5 is set to wrap up the adventures of Eleven and her friends, the Duffer Brothers assure us this is not the end of the Stranger Things universe. With stories still to explore and potential for more tales, it seems the legacy of Hawkins and the Upside Down will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.