When will the Netflix phenomenon return? Here is everything we know so far about Stranger Things Season 5.
Are you ready to be transported back to the Upside Down because the time is right around the corner for another thrilling adventure filled with supernatural mysteries, heart-pounding suspense, and a nostalgic trip down memory lane? The unique blend of ’80s nostalgia and modern storytelling in Stranger Things will reignite the love that the fans have for the series that has captured the hearts of millions around the world! More so ever since the science fiction horror drama television series created by the Duffer Brothers was renewed for a fifth and final season back in February 2022!
The anticipation and countdown have been building up for this premiere on Netflix by die-hard fans into knowing how the story will conclude especially after knowing how well the fourth season was well received with an approval rating of 88% based on 193 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The site’s critical consensus reads, “Darker and denser than its predecessors, Stranger Things‘ fourth chapter sets the stage for the show’s final season in typically binge-worthy fashion.
Whereas, the fourth season’s two volumes have scores of 69 out of 100, both indicating “generally favorable reviews” on Metacritic. So, if you want to know everything relating to when the new season is going to be released, then you’ve come to the right place, as we have a lot more to share! To curb all your doubts, we’ve compiled a list of all the things you should look forward to for the time being while you recap the previous seasons of the beloved series. Continue reading to find out more about Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 5.
Stranger Things Season 5 Release Date: When will it premiere on Netflix?
The timeline of the series release has been changed many times due to the sudden hurdles approaching the way which we have listed below:
Initially, everything was going according to schedule, with David Harbour revealing filming was set to begin in the summer of 2023. Later, Noah Schnapp revealed principal photography would begin in May 2023. However, David Harbour later informed fans during Middle East Comic Con that filming would commence one month later, in June. Another source suggested filming was set to begin on May 15, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Later, Finn Wolfhard suggested Stranger Things 5 might release in 2025 as Noah Schnapp revealed via TikTok that he had received the first three scripts.
After all these updates ultimately, it was reported that production of the final season had been delayed due to the 2023 WGA writers strike, which was later delayed further with the emergence of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike! Making this one of the biggest reasons for the release date being shifted, as the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday sadly failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. Their inability to agree on terms for returning to the bargaining table comes after their long-awaited meeting to discuss a possible resumption.
“As of now, there is no agreement on these items, because the AMPTP said they needed to consult with their member studios before moving forward,” the union said in a statement that was issued to the public last week on Friday after the meeting was concluded. Due to this, there is definitely no room for questions, and we are convinced that the next season might take longer to get production started this year! The ongoing dual strike, which has been going on for many weeks, has significantly slowed down the writing of new episodes and interfered with the filming process.
We think that until a resolution with compensation is reached, the work of the final season will be put on hold until a quick solution has been made. Therefore, there is a big possibility that the series won’t return this year at all and will actually be set to make its official comeback in 2024 or maybe even later, which also depends highly on the post-production schedule, which includes some of the hectic workloads of carrying out the editing with heavy VFX work, which isn’t an easy task and can take up to six months before episodes are completed and are ready to be premiered on Netflix.
Stranger Things Season 5 Plot: What to expect from the final season?
As fans eagerly await the return of their favorite characters, this highly anticipated season promises to be the most captivating one yet, making fans question, “What kind of new horrors will our heroes face this time around?” Well, we can assure you that you’re in for a ride as the final season will consist of eight episodes, with the first episode titled “Chapter One: The Crawl.”
Considering the official episode title, the series creators Matt and Ross Duffer previously told Tudum about the mythology and lore of the Upside Down. “We were like, ‘We know what’s going on in the Upside Down, more or less, but we want it to be unknowable. We want it to be mysterious,” Matt Duffer explained. “But they were like, ‘Yeah, but can you write it down?’ And so we wrote it all down.” These hints can be attributed to the theme of the last season. Furthermore, the Duffers have also stated that the fifth season will delve into various lingering mysteries.
These mysteries include the government program at Hawkins Lab and “what happened to it once Henry became involved,” saying the final season will expand upon how Dr. Brenner “evolved it” into including multiple kids. In addition, the Upside Down being seemingly “frozen” on November 6, 1983, will also come into focus as a major plot point, which will be quite exciting and worth watching as a part of the final season! That’s not all! The recently released open casting call seeking for 1988 or older vintage vehicles suggests that season 5 might be set in 1988.
season 5. chapter one. the crawl. happy stranger things day pic.twitter.com/xCdNLjD7Yt
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) November 7, 2022
Hence, there will surely be more in Season 5, without a doubt. “The last remaining questions that are answered in that document, we’ve punted a couple of those to have some big reveals in Season 5,” said Ross Duffer during Geeked Week in June.
“And that’s really going to affect what Season 5 is about.” That will be continued by stating the premise as follows, “On Nov. 6, 1983, Will Byers went missing in Hawkins, Indiana. Long after the town gave up the search, his friends kept looking… and discovered a mysterious girl known only by a number: Eleven. She was alone, hunted, and extremely powerful. Eleven would stop at nothing to help them find their friend. Today, Stranger Things fans everywhere celebrate Nov. 6 as Stranger Things Day, a special day to share their love for the series.”
Lastly, Matt and Ross Duffer told Deadline last year that a major goal with the final season is to “stick the landing.” Further adding, “Characters are already going to be in action, they’re already going to have a goal and a drive, and I think that’s going to carve out at least a couple hours and make this season feel really different,” Matt Duffer said at the time. “I’m sure the wrap-up will be a lot longer, it’s going to be ‘Return of the King’-ish with, like, eight endings.”
It’s been ⚡️🎸ONE YEAR🎸⚡️ since the epic finale of Stranger Things 4 pic.twitter.com/IPMVi6W0zk
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) July 1, 2023
Stranger Things Season 5: What are the top fan theories?
Theory 1: Is Will’s painting foreshadowing something big?
One intriguing detail that has caught the attention of eagle-eyed viewers is none other than Will’s mysterious painting. As we delve deeper into the Upside Down and the ever-expanding world of Hawkins, this seemingly innocent artwork might hold the key to unraveling the secrets that lie ahead. With its vivid colors and cryptic symbols, Will’s painting seems to be more than just a mere decoration on his bedroom wall.
Many fans wonder if it is a portal to another dimension, a gateway to the Upside Down itself. Some fans have even speculated that the painting is a representation of the Mind Flayer, the sinister creature that has plagued the town of Hawkins. Its tentacle-like forms and eerie aura certainly evoke a sense of unease and foreboding. As we wait for the next season to unfold, the enigma of Will’s painting continues to fuel endless theories and discussions among the fans.
Let us know in the comments what you think of this theory!
Theory 2: With Max in a coma, is she still with Vecna?
One question that has been on everyone’s mind is the fate of Max in her ongoing battle against the powerful villain, Vecna. Max’s character and her journey have been tough, and she has quickly become a fan favorite! Moreover, since the last season, it has increasingly become clear that Max’s coma holds a multitude of secrets waiting to be unraveled.
As the brothers said, Max is alive but “brain dead, blind, and all of her bones are broken.”
Due to this, some fans even believe that Max may have willingly entered into a pact with Vecna, while others theorize that she was unknowingly manipulated by the powerful entity. Whatever the truth may be, it is undeniable that Max’s fate is intertwined with Vecna’s, and uncovering the extent of their connection will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences for the residents of Hawkins.
Theory 3: Who is Eleven’s real father?
Since Season 4 Volume 1 dropped, a well-liked fan theory has been making the rounds online, claiming that Vecna, 001/Henry Creel (Jamie Campbell Bower), is Eleven’s biological father! Yes, you read it right. This is a big theory being circulated by the fans, as since 001 was the most powerful and the first of Papa’s test subjects, theorists hypothesized that out of all the test subjects, only Eleven (who was several years younger than 001) could equal 001’s power.
Because of this circumstance, it is assumed that genetics was involved and that 001 and 011 must have similar DNA, giving them increased abilities and making him the father. Some believe that Eleven’s father is a key character that needs to be confirmed, while others suggest that he may be a completely new addition to the Stranger Things universe. Will Eleven’s father be a heroic figure or something entirely unexpected? Viewers can’t help but wonder if the truth will finally come to light!
Let us know what you think about this one in the comments section.
Stranger Things Season 5 Cast: Who will reprise their roles for the final season?
The main cast members from the previous seasons who are expected to return include Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington.
The other cast members who are also expected to return for the final season to complete their respective arcs include the following Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens, Jamie Campbell Bower as Henry Creel/Vecna, Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler, and Eduardo Franco as Argyle. There can be more new additions to the cast, which will be disclosed later, as one has been announced recently.
Moreover, as part of Netflix’s ‘TUDUM’ on June 17, 2023, it was announced that Linda Hamilton had joined the cast. “I don’t know how to be a fangirl and an actress at the same time,” she said during her video announcement at Tudum. “I’m gonna work on that.” There can be some characters from past seasons who can also make an appearance in the final season, maybe in a flashback scene or some more new additions to the series for the series to complete the overall arc.
We’ll just have to wait and see what happens! In the meantime, also check out the official announcement as shared by Stranger Thing’s official Twitter handle from Tudum: A Global Fan Event which was live streaming from São Paulo, Brazil, with Linda Hamilton’s old pal and Netflix’s Chief Action Officer Arnold Schwarzenegger was also there to set the stage for his Terminator co-star, “Good to see you, Arnold. Let’s get dinner soon,” she said. “And everyone else, I’ll see you in Hawkins…”
🚨Breaking News From #TUDUM🚨
Linda Hamilton is joining the cast of Stranger Things 5! pic.twitter.com/WTZES503cF
— Stranger Things (@Stranger_Things) June 18, 2023
Stranger Things Season 5 Official Trailer: Has it been released, and where to stream?
All the episodes from four seasons of Stranger Things are available exclusively on Netflix, with other series of the same genre also accessible with a range of membership options. The video quality and the number of screens you can use to stream Netflix simultaneously depend on the package you choose. The basic membership starts at $9.99 per month, and the standard membership starts at $15.49 per month, with no additional cost for any of their services.
Moreover, the final season’s episodes will be shorted than the fourth season!
“The only reason we don’t expect to be as long is, this season, if you look at it, it’s almost a two-hour ramp-up before our kids really get drawn into a supernatural mystery. You get to know them, you get to see them in their lives, they’re struggling with adapting to high school and so forth, Steve’s trying to find a date, all of that. None of that is obviously going to be occurring [in season 5],” Matt Duffer said. “However, look for the series finale to be as long as a feature film. “We’re more likely to do what we did here, which is to just have a 2.5-hour episode.”
We would also like to mention that the network hasn’t released any new promos for the final season due to the sudden halt in production. So, in order to be up to date with the plot, we urge the viewers to stream the fourth season, which is set several months later, in March 1986. Joyce, Will, Eleven, and Jonathan have moved to Lenora, California, for a fresh start.
In California, Eleven struggles with the loss of her powers and being bullied in school. Meanwhile, in Hawkins, a being from the Upside Down—an entity later dubbed Vecna—begins killing the residents of Hawkins, opening new gates between the two worlds in the process. Planning to stop Vecna, Dr. Sam Owens takes Eleven to a facility to help her regain her powers. Simultaneously, Joyce and Murray fly to Russia to rescue Hopper from the Gulag in Kamchatka.
Take a look at the official trailer for Stranger Things Season 4 below:
Let us know in the comments if you’ll be streaming Stranger Things Season 5 on Netflix or not.