The wait is finally over – Stranger Things 5 drops on Netflix today, right as families across the country settle in for Thanksgiving night. It has been a long road since July 15, 2016, when the first chapter of this supernatural phenomenon quietly premiered on Netflix and went on to redefine what a global streaming hit could be.
Today, right on Thanksgiving – the fifth and final season officially drops on Netflix — giving the final season the feel of a shared event. The Hawkins saga returns with all the anticipation of a last act that promises nostalgia, dread and unresolved mysteries finally coming to a head. The fifth and final season arrives in two volumes, with all eight episode titles now confirmed and the long-awaited official trailer waiting at the bottom of this article.
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What to expect from the Grand Finale
The group now faces a massive and terrifying threat. In the final episode of the fourth season, Vecna opened a portal to the Upside Down, wreaking havoc in Hawkins and setting the stage for an inevitable final confrontation. This cliffhanger has heightened anticipation for the concluding season, which will pick up after a time jump. According to the official synopsis: “Hawkins is marked by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: to find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished—his whereabouts and plans unknown.”
Furthermore, here’s the Netflix synopsis: “Complicating the mission, the government has placed the city under military quarantine and intensified the hunt for Eleven, forcing her to hide once again. As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, a dark and familiar unease grows. The final battle is near— and with it, a darkness more powerful and deadly than anything they’ve ever faced. To end this nightmare, they will need everyone — the entire group — united, one last time.”
Discover all the updates and exclusive content about the fifth season of Stranger Things by visiting Netflix’s official Instagram page. The titles of the eight episodes also hint at some of the themes and conflicts of the final season, which promises to close the saga in grand style between supernatural thriller and science fiction.
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Eight new episodes
Here are the official episode titles.
- The Crawl
- The Vanishing of … (a title that leaves an important mistery open)
- The Turnbow Trap
- Sorcerer
- Shock Jock
- Escape from Camazotz
- The Bridge
- The Rightside Up
New faces in Stranger Things
The fifth season will introduce new faces: Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux join the cast, while Linda Hamilton will play a character whose role remains secret. The original protagonists, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Natalia Dyer, and Charlie Heaton, will return to face the final battle against the forces of the Upside Down.
Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown: two generations of actresses
Winona Ryder, born in 1971, is an American actress who became an icon of ’80s and ’90s cinema thanks to films such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and Little Women. With her distinctive style and artistic sensitivity, she captured the rebellious and melancholic spirit of a generation. After stepping away from the spotlight for a time, she made a triumphant return to acclaim as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, a role that brought her renewed recognition and admiration.
Millie Bobby Brown, born in 2004, is a British actress who rose to international fame at a young age thanks to her role as Eleven in Stranger Things. Beyond television, she has appeared in films such as Enola Holmes and Godzilla vs. Kong, and has established herself as a producer and entrepreneur with her cosmetics brand, Florence by Mills. Considered a precocious talent, she represents a new generation of actresses who combine artistic skill, dedication, and entrepreneurial ambition. Her recent Netflix original,The Electric State, —a retro-futuristic adventure film starring Brown—was released in the past months but fell short of expectations, despite being Netflix’s most expensive production to date.
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The complete Stranger Things 5 cast: all the characters
The cast of Stranger Things 5 includes: Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Jake Connelly (Derek Turnbow), Alex Breaux (Lieutenant Akers), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).
Release date on Netflix
The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will be released on Netflix in multiple parts, always at 2 a.m. The first part premieres on November 27, followed by the second part on December 26. Lastly, the final episode will air on New Year’s night (January 1) and will also be shown in theaters, giving fans the chance to experience it on the big screen. Be ready ► WATCH ON NETFLIX
Also a big screen event
For the first time in Netflix’s history, an episode of one of its original series will debut in movie theaters as a true cinematic event. The final chapter will take the form of a full-length film, running over 90 minutes, and is expected to be the most impressive and spectacular installment of the entire saga.
