Netflix’s Stranger Things will end with its fifth season. The series will be released in three parts over two months: Volume 1 on November 27, Volume 2 on December 25, and the series finale on December 31. Co-creator Ross Duffer said that the decision to split the final season was made early in production in order to adapt the format to a more compelling story.
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Speaking with SFX Magazine, Duffer explained that previous seasons, such as season four, were taken apart due to delays caused by the pandemic. This time, the team had planned the structure in advance. He said, “In season four, we had no idea it was going to be split into two parts. It’s not Netflix’s fault; there was a pandemic, and we split it into two parts so we could get the episodes out sooner. But this time, we knew we were going to split it into two parts, so it really is two parts. Volume One is really its own mega-movie. It has its own climax.”
A split-release format was used to provide narrative structure, with each volume meant to stand alone. Volume 1, composed of the first four episodes, has been described by Duffer as “its own mega-movie”.
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Duffer described episode four as “the most challenging episode yet”. He added, “That includes the finale – although on an emotional level, the finale was the hardest. I don’t know how many days I cried, and I’m not a person who cries much except when watching Pixar movies.”
The release in multiple parts has sparked discussion among fans, with some preferring the traditional binge model. Netflix has used the split-release strategy for other shows before, such as the second season of The Wednesdays, but Stranger Things is one of the most high-profile examples of it.
Another change for the final season is the release time: all episodes will be available to stream at 8pm ET/5pm PT instead of the usual midnight Pacific. The finale will also be released simultaneously in theatres.
Cast member Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) said his character is in “mission mode” in the final season, with the group “on a mission to try to knock it out and find Vecna.” The main cast, which includes Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Joe Keery and Maya Hawke, are returning for the final episode.
Stranger Things, which debuted in 2016, has become a global phenomenon, mixing supernatural drama with 1980s nostalgia. All previous seasons are available to stream on Netflix.