Stranger Things Season 5 Premieres During Holidays with Final Episodes

HOLLYWOOD, CA – The eagerly awaited fifth season of Netflix‘s ‘Stranger Things‘ is set to return just in time for the holidays. Fans will be treated to the final battle between the beloved Hawkins gang and the monstrous forces from the Upside Down. The season features eight thrilling episodes, one of which will have a special theatrical release.

Co-creator Matt Duffer revealed in an interview that the show’s team had a clear vision for the final scene for quite some time. ‘We’ve known for a really long time what the final scene of the show was going to be, which gave us a North Star,’ he said in November 2025. He expressed that the writers followed the story in surprising ways while ensuring each season retained its unique identity.

‘Stranger Things’ is one of the most anticipated pop culture events of the year. The release schedule will begin with the first four episodes dropping on November 26. The remaining episodes will follow on December 25, Christmas Day, and December 31, New Year’s Eve.

Season 5 will mirror previous seasons in structure, maintaining eight episodes that include all your favorite characters and thrilling encounters with Demogorgons and Vecna.

Fans can expect the finale, ‘The Rightside Up,’ to be screened in select theaters on December 31. This will provide a unique viewing experience alongside other fans. ‘We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters,’ the Duffer brothers noted.

Netflix plans to screen the finale in over 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada, coinciding with the release on the streaming platform. The premiere at 8 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve draws fans into a dual celebration, bidding farewell to the series while ringing in the new year.

The season’s divided release format has sparked conversation about how it aligns with holiday festivities. Viewers face the challenge of balancing family time and excitement for the episodes. Some fans may even delay celebrations to watch the show on its premiere dates.

With the finale being feature-length, audiences are left considering the best time to view, whether in theaters or on Netflix. The unique timing of these premieres positions ‘Stranger Things’ as a significant part of the holiday season for fans worldwide.