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After what felt like a time-travel-level wait worthy of the Upside Down itself, Netflix has finally announced the release dates for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. The beloved supernatural series will be bowing out in dramatic fashion with a three-part rollout. Volume 1 is scheduled to premiere on November 26, followed by Volume 2 on Christmas Day, and the epic finale arriving just in time to close the year on December 31. This cinematic farewell was announced at Netflix's Tudum 2025: The Live Event, a spectacle that included a performance by Lady Gaga, who is also set to appear in the second season of Netflix's Wednesday.
Fans were treated to a moment of nostalgia during the event as core cast members Noah Schnapp, Caleb McLaughlin, and Finn Wolfhard appeared on stage to reminisce about the journey since the show's premiere in 2016. Millie Bobby Brown and Gaten Matarazzo joined virtually to complete the reunion. The announcement has been eagerly awaited since Season 4 aired in 2022, leaving fans haunted by the nightmarish villain Vecna. Delays in production due to the 2023 actors' and writers' strikes only heightened anticipation.
The final season began filming in 2024 and wrapped in December the same year. In January, creators Ross and Matt Duffer revealed they had shot over 650 hours of footage, describing the process as equivalent to making eight blockbuster movies. Ross called the scale "insane," while Matt emphasized the emotional intensity of the experience. "There was so much crying," he admitted.
With an award count of 12 Primetime Emmys and a cast that includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, and Sadie Sink, the show has become a cultural phenomenon. Linda Hamilton, known for her role in Terminator, will guest star in Season 5, promising an explosive finish. As Hawkins prepares for its final showdown with the darkness of the Upside Down, fans worldwide are bracing for the tears, the thrills, and the inevitable nostalgia of saying goodbye to one of Netflix's most iconic shows.
