Stranger Things season 5 is confirmed to be the final chapter of the Duffer Brothers' epic sci-fi horror saga, and the last volume in the story of Eleven, Will, and the town of Hawkins is beyond highly anticipated. The ending of the two-part season 4 of Stranger Things saw the heroes in a showdown with Vecna while Hawkins was left facing another rift caused by the villain. The story still has one last arc to cover though, and Stranger Things season 5 will finally bring Eleven's struggle against Vecna and the Upside Down to an end, one way or the other.

The Duffer Brothers planned Stranger Things' expansive story from the outset, with a multi-season story mapped out before Netflix introduced the world to Eleven, Hawkins, or the Upside Down. Since the show's 2016 debut, Eleven and the other heroes of Hawkins have gone through incredible hardships, losing friends and family and saving the world on multiple occasions. For every victory, though, the Upside Down gets smarter, throwing out new nightmares. It's clear that before Stranger Things season 5 ends, there will have to be a final showdown of epic proportions.

The Latest Stranger Things Season 5 News

The Duffer Brothers Offer A Timeline Update

With the wait continuing for the final season of the popular Netflix original, the latest news arrives in the form of a Stranger Things season 5 timeline update from the Duffer brothers. The dynamic duo behind the series spoke candidly about when fans can expect to see season 5, and it was both good and bad news. While Ross and Matt Duffer confirmed that 2025 is the release window, they also mentioned that "It's still a long way away." This hints that Stranger Things won't land on Netflix until the end of the year, but nothing is confirmed yet.

As for the good news, the pair confirmed that the final season is now well into the post-production process, which started in January 2025. They said "We're focused on visual effects sequences right now," before revealing "We're actually ahead of schedule, which is rare for us." Though the show may be making up ground in the post-production process, there's little chance of the final season coming any time soon, especially if Netflix has plans to release it during a specific time of year.

Stranger Things Season 5 Production Status

Season 5 Wrapped Filming In December 2025

Shooting would stretch on for almost all of 2024, before wrapping in December

There is no Stranger Things season 5 release date yet, but Finn Wolfhard offered up the potential release window of early 2025 (via GQ). This was before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and Stranger Things was among the many shows that were delayed. Because of this, filming was not able to start until early 2024. Shooting would stretch on for almost all of 2024, before wrapping in December. In July 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed Stranger Things season 5 is coming sometime in 2025, but that rather wide window hasn't been narrowed to a more specific range.

Stranger Things season 4 part 2 debuted on July 1, 2022.

In February 2025, the Duffer brothers confirmed that they were deep into the post-production process, but they still couldn't narrow down the release window. While they announced they were ahead of schedule, they also confirmed that the fifth season wouldn't be coming any time soon.

Stranger Things Season 5 Cast

The Main Cast Is Returning For The Final Time

While there have been no official Stranger Things season 5 cast announcements, it's expected that most — if not all — of the main cast will return. Stranger Things has managed to avoid any controversial recasts, and Stranger Things season 5 shouldn't be any different. Even cast whose characters died are likely to be on-screen again, including Sadie Sink's Max - whose fate was in question in the season 4 finale. However, recent set images show Max is possibly alive after her harrowing ordeal, and Sadie Sink will undoubtedly play some part in season 5.

Additionally, Linda Hamilton is ing the Stranger Things season 5 cast. The Stranger Things season 5 casting announcement for Hamilton hinted at a connection to the Upside Down meaning it is a possible villain role for the iconic sci-fi action hero. Set photos revealed the return of Amybeth McNulty as Vickie, and Cara Buono will reprise her role as Karen Wheeler. Matthew Modine's evil Dr. Brenner is also coming back despite "dying" in season 4.

The confirmed cast of Stranger Things season 5 includes:

Stranger Things Season 5 Story Details

How Will The Series Conclude?

Vecna is defeated in Stranger Things season 4 part 2, but he is not killed, and his disappearance almost certainly sets up his return as the villain of the final season. Meanwhile, the four gates that opened throughout Hawkins connect at its center, opening up chasms in the town with the suggestion that anything (or anyone) in the Upside Down can now enter the town. According to the Duffers, there is already a firm plan for the Stranger Things season 5 story, as they revealed in their letter to fans:

“There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes. But first we hope that you stay with us as we finish this tale of a powerful girl named Eleven and her brave friends, of a broken police chief and a ferocious mom, of a small town called Hawkins and an alternate dimension called the Upside Down. As always, we are gracious for your patience and your .”

It's known that Stranger Things season 5 will conclude the story, which means the last batch of episodes will need to be even more climactic than the ones that came before. The fate of characters like Max still hangs in the balance, and season 5 will have to address her coma immediately to satisfy fan curiosity. It is unknown at this juncture how the final season will raise the stakes, but it is expected that even more of the Upside Down will invade Hawkins.

Stranger Things Season 5 Trailer

Watch The First Teaser Below

As the wait stretches on for the final installment of the series, the latest news comes in the form of a teaser for Stranger Things season 5 that reveals the episode titles. Made in the style of the show's iconic opening, Netflix has now revealed all 8 episode titles before the return of Stranger Things in 2025. Though the names don't reveal much, it is important to note that episode 2's title was slightly redacted. Instead of announcing the full title, it is simply listed as "The Vanishing of______", with the name blurred out.

This means the character in question will likely be known to the audience, and Netflix is avoiding spoilers as best as possible. Since the inciting incident of the entire show was the disappearance of Will Byers in season 1, it stands to reason that the final outing is mirroring the debut season's structure.

The teaser also confirms that season 5 will take place in the fall of 1987.

The 8 episode titles are:

• "The Crawl"
• "The Vanishing of ______"
• "The Turnbow Trap"
• "Sorcerer"
• "Shock Jock"
• "Escape from Camazotz"
• "The Bridge"
• "The Rightside Up"