Stranger Things finale is one of the biggest releases from the studio in the coming months. While the cast has been busy filming, there have been doubts about the release schedule. The final season was expected to hit the streaming platform sometime in 2026, regardless, the Duffer Brothers have shared positive news with fans. The makers cleared the air that they are still eyeing 2025 for release. The filmmakers confirmed that they’re “ahead of schedule” in the post-production process of Season 5 and it could be released this year.
The studio is yet to confirm the exact release date and fans have been worried as the series was not mentioned in Netflix’s 2025 slate presentation. Duffer Brothers opened up about the same and told Collider, “A lot of it hasn’t been decided, in terms of exactly the release dates and cadence… I just know it was very important for us and Netflix that we get it out this year. But even that is quite the push.” However, they have confirmed Stranger Things for 2025 during their appearance at the SCAD TVfest. The duo confirmed that Stranger Things Season 5 “is coming this year,” but added that “it’s still a long way away.”
The team is reportedly working on post-production of the show which is known for heavy VFX. They said, “We’re focused on visual effects sequences right now. We started back in January, so it’s going well. We’re actually ahead of schedule which is rare for us, so that’s great.” Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s most successful and long-standing series developed by the streaming giant. The show has seen four seasons so far, with the last season being released in two parts, months apart.
The fifth season is expected to release eight episodes but it is unclear if the new season will also be released in two volumes. The season 4 episodes had lengthy run times, but the makers have been hush-hush about what to expect with the new season. Duffer Brothers earlier had teased that Season 5’s episodes are as can be expected to be “epic as a blockbuster movie”. While we wait for the new season here’s a quick recap of what went down in Stranger Things Season 4 Vol 1 and Vol 2.
Stranger Things Season 4 Begining
A quick flashback of Eleven hinted at her opening the door to Upside Down long before Stranger Things days, also causing the death of others around her. This incident is cited as the reason behind her memory loss, and how she came into being the way she was when found in season 1. Meanwhile, back in 1986, the Byers family now live in California, where El is in school, Will is painting and Jonathan is smoking with his new friend. Meanwhile, in Indiana, Dustin and Mike have joined Hawkins High’s Dungeons & Dragons club Hellfire with a new character, Eddie. Lucas begins to enjoy high school life as a popular kid as part of the basketball team.
Vecna’s Curse
A new entity from the upside down begins to torment people from the town and a cheerleader (Chrissy) becomes the first victim. Unlike the previous horrors from the show, this entity is humanised and can speak to its victims. In the aftermath of the cheerleader’s death Max and Dustin begin to wonder if this could be Upside Down-related. Nancy also begins to investigate the incident on her own and finds out about Chrissy’s missing eyes which was similar to another old case committed by a man called Victor Creel who had murdered his family and had taken their eyes out.
After a second victim shows up, the kids break into the school counsellor’s office to find files of the curse victims. It turns out both students were experiencing headaches, nosebleeds, and trouble sleeping before their deaths. Max then realises that she too has been experiencing these signs. She begins preparing for how to take care of her things if she is the next victim. But Nancy’s investigation of Creel’s incident helps them figure out that listening to their favourite song can help give the victim some comfort and hope saving their lives. It ends up saving Max too when is attacked by Vecna at the grave of her dead brother. The kids now begin to find clues about Vecna’s lair and realise he can be tracked with Electromagnetic energy.
They find out that Vecna can open portals where the victims died and he needs to open four to be able to take over the world. After the three victim turns up dead they don’t have much time before they have to take him down. Nancy also comes in contact with Vecna and he shows her the future devastation of Hawkins and the world before letting her go on the condition that she tells El what he showed her.
Hopper Is Alive!
The season confirms that Hopper is alive and is being tortured by Russians. He makes several attempts to run away but things don’t turn out well for him. Joyce finds out that he is alive and in an attempt to rescue him she sets out to meet a man named Yuri in Alaska. However, Joyce and Murray, both have their set of trouble with Yuri upon arrival and end up forcing him to lead them toward Hopper and the Russians. Meanwhile, just as Hopper is about to be turned into dinner for demogorgons, Murray poses as Yuri to deliver the “Americans” (Joyce and the real Yuri) and to the prison. They manage to escape the demogorgon, Hopper reunites with Joyce and plans to leave Russia.
Dr. Brenner’s Return
El is dragged back to a government lab after being told that Hawkins is in grave danger, and that she is the only key to ending this madness. After El disappears Jonathan, Will, Argyle, and Mike seek help from Dustin’s girlfriend who uncovers the location of Nina Project. On the other hand, El at the government facility reunites with Dr. “Papa” Brenner, who forces her to go into a sensory deprivation tank to recall a series of repressed memories. El begins to find her memories recalling about Dr Brenner’s patient zero.
She learns that Henry was behind the massacre at Hawkins Lab and she had tried to stop him by accidentally throwing him in the Upside Down, where he turned into the creature now known as Vecna. After learning the truth she tries to get help for Hawkins but a colonel called Jack Sullivan believes that Eleven is causing the deaths. To save her Dr Brenner’s scarifies himself and tells El that he is proud of her.
Season Finale
The season finale brought a surprising and unforgettable death. Eddie who had been running away from the cops the entire season and was being blamed for the murders, decides it’s time to face the music. To get everyone to safety, Eddie chooses to distract the bats from the group by playing his guitar in open sight which ends in his demise after being attacked by rabid massive bats. Meanwhile, Max decides to be the bait for Vecna to lure him out. As he begins to turn her into his next victim a new portal opens unleashing hell on the real Hawkins. But the kids manage to rear him unconscious, saving Max and shut the portal.
The show ends with everyone back in Hawkins, while Max is in a hospital in a coma. Dustin offers Mr. Munson Eddie’s guitar pick and shares that his nephew died a hero. Meanwhile, Hopper and Eleven finally reunite as everyone is uncertain about what’s to come next. Will then reveals that he can still feel Vecna’s presence.
