*Stranger Things Season 5* is the fifth and *final season* of the hit Netflix series, wrapping up the epic story that began in 2016. As of December 26, 2025, here's what you need to know about the season
it's already rolling out in a unique, holiday-themed release format!
Release Schedule (Three-Part Rollout)
The Duffer Brothers and Netflix chose to drop the eight episodes in three volumes, perfectly timed for the holiday season:
- *Volume 1* (first 4 episodes) — Released on *November 26, 2025* (right around Thanksgiving). It premiered with massive viewership, hitting around 59.6 million views in its first five days — a record for an English-language Netflix series!
- **Volume 2** (next 3 episodes) — Dropped on **December 25, 2025** (Christmas Day) — talk about a festive gift for fans!
- *The Finale* (episode 8, a feature-length episode) — Scheduled for *December 31, 2025* (New Year's Eve), with special theatrical screenings available in over 350 theaters across the US and Canada (running through January 1, 2026).
All episodes drop globally at *5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET* on their respective days. If you haven't caught up yet, Volume 2 is freshly available as of yesterday — perfect timing for a post-Christmas binge!
Here are some **behind-the-scenes shots** and cast visuals from the final season to get you in the mood:
*Setting & Plot Basics (Spoiler-Light)*
- Takes place in the *fall of 1987* (about a year after Season 4's events).
- Hawkins is scarred by the rifts/portal opened by Vecna at the end of Season 4.
- The core group unites with one main goal: **find and kill Vecna** (who has mysteriously vanished).
- Complications include military quarantine of the town, a hunt for Eleven, and deeper revelations about the Upside Down's true nature.
- It's described as a blend of Season 1's nostalgic vibe mixed with Season 4's scale — "injected with steroids" according to the creators — with big emotional payoffs, especially for Will.
The season has been well-received so far (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), with praise for its epic scope and satisfying closure.
Returning Cast (Core Ensemble)
Pretty much everyone you love is back:
- Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
- Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
- Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
- Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
- Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
- Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
- Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
- Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
- Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
- Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
- David Harbour as Jim Hopper
- Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
- Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna / Henry Creel
Plus returning faces like Priah Ferguson (Erica), Brett Gelman (Murray), and new additions like Linda Hamilton in a key role.
Fun Production Tidbits
- Filming wrapped in late 2024 after delays from the 2023 strikes.
- Directors include the Duffer Brothers, plus surprise guest Frank Darabont (out of retirement for two episodes!).
- The finale is extra long (feature-length) and has been called one of the best episodes of the entire series by the cast and creators.
If you're just starting Volume 2 or waiting for the finale, no spoilers here, but the stakes are higher than ever. Enjoy the ride back to Hawkins... one last time! 🚲👽 What part are you most excited about?