Warning: This live blog contains spoilers for Seasons 1-4 of Stranger Things, and will contain spoilers for Season 5 once it airs.
After more than three years away from Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things is finally returning to Netflix with its long‑awaited fifth and final season. The global release marks the beginning of the end for one of streaming’s most influential series, as fans prepare to say goodbye to Eleven, Hopper, and the rest of the Hawkins crew.
What to Know:
- Release schedule: The first four episodes debut worldwide on Thursday, November 27 at 01:00 GMT (Wednesday evening in U.S. time zones). Episodes five through seven arrive on Christmas Day, with the finale, The Rightside Up, dropping on New Year’s Eve.
- Season four recap: The gang split forces to battle Vecna, who was revealed to be Henry Creel—also known as “One.” Eleven resurrected Max after Vecna’s attack, leaving the villain a path to return as the Upside Down tore open across Hawkins.
- Henry Creel/Vecna: Once an outcast child in Hawkins, Henry gained powers, killed his parents, and became Dr. Brenner’s first test subject. His eventual clash with Eleven transformed him into Vecna, the series’ central antagonist.
- Cultural impact: Since its 2016 debut, Stranger Things has become a cornerstone of Netflix’s brand, racking up billions of viewing hours. It launched Millie Bobby Brown into stardom, revitalized Winona Ryder’s career, and opened blockbuster doors for David Harbour.
- Beyond TV: The franchise has expanded into stage productions like The First Shadow, cementing its place as a pop‑culture phenomenon.
Stay with Newsweek for updates ahead of the Stranger Things 5 premiere.
Nov 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM EST
When did ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 come out?
Netflix took a staggered approach to the release of Stranger Things Season 4, splitting the blockbuster chapter into two volumes.
The first set of episodes premiered on May 27, 2022, giving fans their long‑awaited return to Hawkins after a three‑year hiatus.
Just over a month later, the second volume arrived on July 1, 2022, delivering the season’s climactic showdown with Vecna and setting the stage for the series finale.
Nov 26, 2025 at 10:11 AM EST
Will Hopper die in ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5? What to know
...As Stranger Things heads into its last chapter, speculation is running high over which characters may not make it to the end.
Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) has long been the subject of fan theories, with many believing he could sacrifice himself to save Max. Recent comments from McLaughlin about his finale being “different” have only fueled concerns that Lucas may face a tragic fate.
Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has been tied to the Upside Down since the very beginning, and trailers suggest Vecna intends to exploit that connection. Given the Duffer brothers’ framing of the series as “a show about Will,” his story could come full circle with a climactic sacrifice.
Steve Harrington (Joe Keery), once destined to die in season one, has become a fan favorite thanks to his loyalty and bravery. But that popularity may make him the perfect candidate for a devastating send‑off, especially as the series closes without fear of backlash over future seasons.
And then there’s Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). As the show’s central villain, his defeat is inevitable. The only question is how much destruction he’ll cause before Hawkins finally finds peace.
Nov 26, 2025 at 10:06 AM EST
What to remember from ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4
Before diving into the final season, fans may need a refresher on where things left off in Hawkins. Season 4 introduced Vecna, the most formidable villain yet, revealed to be Henry Creel, Dr. Brenner’s first test subject, who later transformed into the monstrous figure haunting the town. His psychic attacks targeted characters carrying trauma, most notably Max Mayfield, whose near‑death experience left her in a fragile state and gave Vecna a lifeline.
The season also delivered one of the show’s most talked‑about storylines: Eddie Munson’s rise from misunderstood outcast to tragic hero. His guitar solo in the Upside Down distracted Demobats long enough for his friends to fight back, though it cost him his life. Meanwhile, Hopper survived his presumed death, endured captivity in a Soviet gulag, and reunited with Joyce and Eleven after a harrowing escape.
By the finale, Hawkins was left scarred. The barrier between the town and the Upside Down had ruptured, signaling that Vecna’s influence was far from over. Eleven regained her powers but remains hunted by the military, setting the stage for a showdown that will decide the fate of Hawkins—and its residents—once and for all.
Nov 26, 2025 at 10:02 AM EST
How many episodes are coming out for Stranger Things season 5 in November?
Fans of Stranger Things won’t have to wait much longer for the show’s final chapter. Netflix has confirmed that the fifth season will roll out in three parts, beginning tonight.
The first volume, featuring four episodes, arrives on November 26, 2025. The second batch—episodes five through seven—will be released on December 25, giving viewers a holiday binge. The series will then conclude on December 31 with its eighth and final episode, titled The Rightside Up.
The staggered release ensures the Hawkins saga will wrap before the new year, closing out one of Netflix’s most influential series with a global send‑off.
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