Stranger Things Season 5: Release date, cast, and Everything we know so far
Last updated September 20, 2024
The final season of Stranger Things is almost here, and it's set to deliver an epic conclusion to the beloved series. After season four left us gripping our seats watching the formidable Vecna, fans are eagerly anticipating how the story will wrap up.
Season five promises to finally unravel the mysteries of the Upside Down and answer lingering questions from throughout the series. Dive in to discover all the latest updates and what to expect from this thrilling final chapter. We have cast details, plot, BTS, controversy, and more.
Release Date & Where to Watch
There's no specific release date for Stranger Things season five yet, but Netflix has confirmed a 2025 debut. Initially planned as a full release, the season may now be split due to delays. We’ll update you with details as they become available.
Plot
In Stranger Things 5, the Hawkins gang is set to face their biggest challenge yet: defeating Vecna for good. The final season will focus on Hawkins and the Upside Down, cutting out the previous settings of Russia, California, and Indiana. The Duffer Brothers plan to delve deep into the Upside Down's mythology, providing answers to long-standing questions.
Although the Brothers have a clear vision for the ending, the journey remains a bit uncertain. Ross Duffer mentioned that while the season's path is still being shaped, the final 30 minutes are clear in their minds. Their outline moved Netflix executives to tears, showing how emotional the end will be.
Rumor has it that David Harbour (Hopper) knows the ending, much to Gaten Matarazzo's (Dustin) annoyance. Fans can also expect Eddie's death to have a significant impact, with a proper tribute planned for him in the final season.
Cast
- Millie Bobby Brown (Damsel, Enola Holmes, Modern Family) as Eleven
- Jamie Campbell Bower (Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Witchboard) as Vecna / Henry Creel / One
- Finn Wolfhard (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) as Mike Wheeler
- Winona Ryder (Little Women, Girl, Uninterrupted) as Joyce Byers
- David Harbour (Hellboy) as Jim Hopper
- 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
- Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
- Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
- Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
- Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
- Maya Hawke (Do Revenge) as Robin Buckley
- Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
- Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens
- Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
- Amybeth McNulty as Vickie
- Joe Chrest as Ted Wheeler
- Linda Hamilton (The Terminator, Children of the Corn, Chuck)
- Nell Fisher (Evil Dead Rise)
- Alex Breaux (Waco: The Aftermath)
- Jake Connelly
How many Episodes are There in Stranger Things 5?
The upcoming season of Stranger Things will consist of eight episodes. Here are the episode titles:
- Season 5 Chapter 1: The Crawl
- Season 5 Chapter 2: The Vanishing of …
- Season 5 Chapter 3: The Turnbow Trap
- Season 5 Chapter 4: Sorceror
- Season 5 Chapter 5: Shock Jock
- Season 5 Chapter 6: Escape from Camazotz
- Season 5 Chapter 7: The Bridge
- Season 5 Chapter 8: The Rightside Up
Is there a Trailer for Stranger Things season 5?
There’s no official trailer for Stranger Things Season 5 yet, but on July 15, Netflix released a two-minute montage video showcasing the making of the series, highlighting the cast’s return to Hawkins. The teaser features familiar locations and includes Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), hinting that season five will be even bigger than season four.
Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas) welcomes viewers to the new season, while Finn Wolfhard (Mike) expresses excitement about reuniting with the original group. The video also captures Millie Bobby Brown reflecting on her decade-long journey with the show and Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin) describing the set as "home." With season 4’s cliffhanger unresolved, the new season is set to continue the story from where it left off.
On Nov. 7, 2024, Stranger Things released more behind-the-scenes images on Instagram. It featured pics of the cast having fun and we also got a first look at the interesting sets being built.
Is Stranger Things season 5 the final season?
Season five of Stranger Things will be the final chapter for Eleven, her friends, and the Upside Down. However, the Duffer Brothers hinted at a potential spin-off, teasing new stories and heroes within the Stranger Things universe. They’ve kept details secret, but Finn Wolfhard reportedly guessed the concept. Additionally, an animated Stranger Things series is in the works with the Duffer Brothers executive-producing, though its plot and characters are yet to be revealed.
Who is the Villain in Stranger Things season 5?
Before the series concludes, our heroes must unite to defeat Vecna, the show's main antagonist. In the season four finale, Vecna was gravely injured by Nancy, Steve, and Robin at Creel House but managed to escape, leaving his whereabouts unknown.
Despite his injuries, Vecna had a partial victory: Max briefly died from his attack, which caused four gates to the Upside Down to open in Hawkins, beginning its merge with the real world. Vecna’s goal will be to complete his plan and destroy everything the heroes care about.
What will happen to Max and Will in Stranger Things Season 5?
Max is in a medically induced coma after her brush with Vecna in the season four finale, and her fate remains uncertain as Eleven cannot locate her consciousness in the Void. Sink has revealed she's as unaware as fans about Max’s future.
Will Byers, however, is set to be a major focus in season five. Schnapp hinted that Will's story will come full circle, with a significant arc that will surprise and satisfy fans. He’s expected to be the central figure in the final season, with the show potentially concluding with him.
In the summer of 2022, Schnapp revealed that his Stranger Things character, Will, was gay and had feelings for Mike, played by Finn Wolfhard. Reflecting on this journey, Schnapp shared, “Embracing Will’s sexuality accelerated my own acceptance. Without playing Will, I might still be in the closet today.” His role not only shaped Will’s story but profoundly impacted Schnapp's personal journey toward self-acceptance.
Where is Stranger Things Filmed?
Stranger Things is primarily filmed in Georgia, with notable locations including Douglasville, Stockbridge, Fayetteville, Rome, Palmetto, Smyrna, Duluth, Atlanta, Stone Mountain, and New Mexico.
As part of Netflix's Geek Week, viewers got a glimpse of the action as Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo took superfans Ashley and Elicia behind the scenes of the soundstages where season five is filming. Check it out below:
Filming for season 5 resumed on January 8, 2024, and by July 15—marking eight years since Season 1's release—the season was halfway through production.
Behind the Scenes
The creators of Stranger Things are Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer. The fifth season will be produced by the Duffer brothers, along with Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn. The show’s writers are Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Kate Trefry, Justin Doble, Paul Dichter, and Jessie Nickson-Lopez.
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