Summary
- Stranger Things season 5 will be released in three parts on November 26th, December 25th, and December 31st.
- Fans are debating the three-part release dates, with some frustrated and others seeing it as a positive for discussion.
- The release strategy aims to keep fans engaged, build anticipation, and allow time to reflect on each part.
Like countless other fans, I watched Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) standing in Hawkins, Indiana and reflecting on Vecna's (Jamie Campbell Bower) reign of terror and couldn't wait to see the next season of Netflix's Stranger Things. Due to numerous factors from the COVID-19 pandemic to the WGA/SAG-ACTRA strike in 2023, there has been a three-year gap between seasons 4 and 5, and everyone have been eager to find out when they can sit down and watch the end of this excellent story. Then, during the Netflix live Tudum event on May 31st, 2025, fans learned that the last season will come out in three parts on November 26th, December 25th, and December 31st.
Since a few years have passed since the unnerving season 4 finale, fans understandably are finding it tough to wait for these new episodes. But even though some are frustrated about the three-part release strategy, others think it could be a positive thing.
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Fans Are Debating The Stranger Things Season 5 Three-Part Release Date Decision, And Some Think It's A Great Idea
After Netflix announced their Stranger Things season 5 release date strategy, fans have been discussing it on Reddit. Some are frustrated that parts one, two, and three are coming out on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. Redditor @Snoo-32413 wrote:
"Am I the only one pissed about the Holiday release dates?"
Several agreed that they'll be celebrating the holidays with family and friends and won't be able to jump into the episodes. The overwhelming majority are disappointed that they won't be able to watch the final chapter all at once. However, some fans don't mind this choice at all. Redditor @HonorYourCat wrote:
"since I'm a college student planning on watching it with my family, I'm glad they're releasing it while I'm on break."
Redditor @xkvm_ added:
"Am I the only one happy with the three part release? It's the last season it's nice they're making it last a bit longer. The discussion will last longer too between each release there'll be time to theorize and the last two parts won't even be that far apart, less than a week."
As a fan since day one, I can definitely see both sides. On the one hand, people will have holiday plans, or they might be traveling, and that might make it tough to binge-watch each part immediately. On the other hand, people will have time off during the holidays, which will give them the perfect opportunity to see this highly anticipated final chapter.
The three-part release strategy accomplishes a few things. It ensures that people will keep talking about the show, it builds even more anticipation than is already out there, and it gives fans time and space to reflect on each part without feeling pressured to binge all eight episodes. While many might have preferred to see Stranger Things season 5 split into two parts rather than three, I agree that there isn't a long wait between episodes 7 and 8. I can't think of a better way to spend New Year's Eve than diving into the end of this epic and smart story.
Netflix's Stranger Things Season 5 Release Date Announcement
According to Variety, Netflix's big announcement about the Stranger Things season 5 release date at the live Tudum event got 250 million impressions. Since fans couldn't wait to find out when one of their favorite shows is returning for its final season, that definitely makes sense.
While some viewers hoped to see Eleven come back in the summer of 2025, and others thought that October could be a possibility, fans have to wait until the end of November to see the first four episodes. But although many would love to see these episodes earlier, one thing is clear: everyone will be talking about season 5 as soon as it comes out, and it's sure to be a ratings hit for the streaming service.
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- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Cast
-
Millie Bobby BrownJane 'Eleven' Hopper -
Finn WolfhardMike Wheeler
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
- Writers
- Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
- Creator(s)
- Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
