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Stranger Things fans have been left asking if Netflix is ‘joking’ over the release schedule for the fifth and final series.
It was announced in 2022 that the wildly popular sci-fi horror series had been renewed for a fifth season, but that it would mark the end of the show.
Season four left off with Hawkins being torn apart when a gate to the Upside Down opens following Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and the gang’s epic battle with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower).
After three long years of waiting, we finally have a release date for the episodes, but they come with a twist that has dampened some fans’ excitement.
Netflix has announced that the last season of Stranger Things will be released in three parts on November 26, December 25, and December 31.
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It’s not the first time this has happened, with the first seven episodes of the fourth season released on May 27 and the final two episodes wrapping up the season debuted on July 1.



Fans have been left bowled over by the news, with many asking if it was a ‘joke’ and lamenting how long they have had to wait for the final episodes to hit our screens, with season four wrapping up in 2022.
‘Three episodes per volume. You’re joking 😭😭😭😭,’ Sancheezzzy wrote on X, while Imani said ‘It’s been three years and we still gotta wait for parts. . .’
Steveislegend joked, ‘This is going to take place in the nursing home’, and Jimmy XRP added, ‘Eleven is going to have children by the time this s**t is released.’
Some felt it had been ‘too long’ between the series and fans had ‘forgotten’ what had happened, and didn’t ‘care’ enough anymore to catch up.
Truestorygrande shared a lengthy rant, writing on the social media platform: ‘The way they just can’t release it all at once, lmfao proves they enjoy making us wait, after waiting for near four years by the time it airs at the END of 2025
‘I thought we’d get it around Halloween? also like who’s gonna be streaming on new year’s eve or xmas day… most are with friends or family so like if they’re tracking streaming numbers on Netflix day of release…. they should’ve chose different days that AREN’T ALL three holidays.’


Everything we know about Stranger Things season five
When will Stranger Things season five be released?
It has been announced that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things will be released in three parts:
- Volume 1 – November 26
- Volume 2 – December 25
- Volume 3 – December 31
Each of the volumes will drop in the United Kingdom at 1am GMT.
Who is in the cast?
Tudum confirmed the cast for season five 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 (Lt. Akers)
- Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay)
What is the plot?
An official plot synopsis reads: ‘The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished — his whereabouts and plans unknown.
‘Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding.
‘As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.
‘The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.’
They continued: ‘Anyone I mention Stranger Things to irl, they’re all annoyed it took this long and say the producers are acting like it’s some avatar level when, it’s not. I agree like it’s complicated yes, but it’s not that level.
‘Near 4 years for 8 episodes. Just wow — tv shows don’t NEED to be produced like movies, that’s the point, and it’s why we were able to get 25 episode seasons.. all an hour long too. I prefer not movie-like quality and more episodes, than movie-like quality + waiting years in between seasons, then having to rewatch AND getting less episodes.’
Many said they felt the season would be ‘dragged out’ by releasing it this way, but others thought it was a good way to prevent spoilers being leaked for the final episode.
‘Netflix is releasing it in batches like this because they know people will start uploading the final scene of the last ep if it was released,’ GothamChief theorised.
Luna_west08 added: ‘Ahh, the final season is almost here!! November 26 for Volume 1 already has me buzzing, And ending the year with Volume 2 and 3? Talk about the ultimate binge fest 🎉 Who else is ready to cry and scream with me??’
The popular supernatural horror series launched in 2016 and stars Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder, who are all set to reprise their roles for the upcoming episodes.
Stranger Things season five, volume one will be released on Netflix on November 26, followed by volume two on December 25, and volume three on December 31.
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