After six years on Netflix, Stranger Things is preparing to conclude its journey with a fifth and final season.
Before the highly anticipated season 4 premiere, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer confirmed that they would be wrapping up the show with one final chapter set in Hawkins, Indiana.
“Seven years ago, we mapped out the complete story arc for Stranger Things,” they shared in an open letter in February 2022.
“At that time, we estimated the story would span four to five seasons. It turned out to be too expansive for just four, but as you will see, we are now racing toward the finale. Season 4 is the penultimate season, and season 5 will be the last.”
Later that year, the Duffer Brothers elaborated on their vision for the concluding episodes and addressed the split format of season 4.
“The initial plan was to release everything at once. However, as we worked on the episodes, it became clear that the season was too massive for a single drop—at nearly 13 hours, it felt like two seasons instead of one,” they explained in May 2022, following the release of Volume 1’s first seven episodes.
“Episode 7 is as grand as any season finale we’ve ever done, so it made sense for everyone involved to split the season at that point. Episode 7 effectively serves as the conclusion of the second act—while the final act had enough substance to stand alone as Volume 2.”
When Does Stranger Things Season 5 Begin Filming?
Due to production delays caused by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, it was reported in December 2023 that the final season would commence filming in January 2024, which means the series would likely be delayed until 2025.
Shortly after, the show’s official social media accounts shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the cast as filming kicked off for season 5.
Although previous hints suggested a 2025 premiere, no official confirmation has been made.
“A lot of aspects are still undecided regarding exact release dates and scheduling,” Matt told in February 2025. “We have a call scheduled in a couple of weeks to discuss it.
What I do know is that it’s important to both us and Netflix to release it this year—but even that is a significant challenge.”
Is There a Story Already Planned for Stranger Things Season 5?
In May 2022, director Shawn Levy spoke about being privy to the show’s conclusion as outlined by the Duffer Brothers.
“Nothing is left to chance. Honestly, I believe the Duffer Brothers have always had an idea of how the series will end, and they’ve been hinting at it for me over the past six and a half years.
However, they keep details very private until everything is fully formed,” Levy exclusively told at the Stranger Things season 4 premiere.
“Once they finalize their vision, they present it to me, and we move forward from there. It’s very clear now—and has been for a while—that we have one final season that feels justified and extraordinary.”
The director also commended the dedication that goes into making Stranger Things. “We don’t want to be one of those series that overstays its welcome, grasping at straws for a satisfying conclusion,” he emphasized.
“We want to land the ending perfectly. I believe we’ve managed to achieve that each season, and we intend to do the same for the series finale.”
Further discussing the final season’s scale, Levy told Total Film Magazine in September 2023, “There’s no way to continue directly from season 4 without significantly expanding the scope and depth.
This is major, large-scale, cinematic storytelling that just happens to be called a TV series. Stranger Things 5 is as massive as some of the biggest films out there.”
Will Stranger Things Season 5 Answer Every Question?
For Priah Ferguson, who portrays Erica Sinclair, the final season is about tying up loose ends. “I definitely hope to see closure for the entire series. By the end of season 5, I want everything resolved,” she told in May 2022.
“I don’t want it to end on a traumatic note like previous seasons. I want the story to conclude with us defeating the monster and coming out victorious.”
What Is the Inspiration Behind Season 5?
Discussing the final episodes, Matt Duffer compared them to a well-known Star Wars installment. “The last few episodes will feel more like Return of the Jedi.
Not in tone, but in structure—we’re diving straight in from the beginning,” he told in May 2022. “There will be minimal setup, and I think people will understand what I mean once they see the ending of season 4. We’re just going for it.”
Ross Duffer further elaborated, explaining that season 5 would break from the usual narrative structure. “Typically, each season has a lot of build-up and setup, but season 5 will hit the ground running from the first scene. At least, that’s how I remember it from our outline.”
Will Eddie Return in Season 5 of Stranger Things?
In a June 2022 interview, Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie Munson, expressed confidence in his character making a return. “Oh, yeah, I think so. I don’t see why not. I’d be really upset if they didn’t bring me back,” he told following season 4’s release.
After Eddie’s shocking demise in the season 4 finale, Quinn hinted that he wouldn’t rule out a possible cameo. “It’d be fun, wouldn’t it?” he told in July 2022. “I’d be totally up for it. But we’ll have to wait and see.”
The actor also shared his thoughts on how he would like Eddie to be remembered. “It’d be great to clear his name,” Quinn stated.
“I’m not sure how that would happen, but it feels unfair, doesn’t it? He made the ultimate sacrifice for a town that sees him as a villain. But he wasn’t a monster—far from it. Hopefully, they’ll find a way to set the record straight.”
