Not many streaming series have captured global attention like Stranger Things, one of Netflix’s most successful science fiction and fantasy stories. Over the course of nearly a decade, this television phenomenon has won 12 Emmy Awards, been in the platform’s top 10 in more than 90 countries, and remains the third most popular English-language title in its catalog. Now, Stranger Things is ending with its fifth and final season.

Since its premiere in 2016, Stranger Things has played a decisive role in making Netflix the streaming service we know today. Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, 41-year-old identical twins, and inspired by the early works of Stephen King and Steven Spielberg, Stranger Things is a story about coming of age and the power of true friendship. Set in the 1980s in the fictional but picturesque town of Hawkins, Indiana, it follows a group of children and teenagers as they battle supernatural forces.

Season five of Stranger Things is one of the most important pop culture events of 2025, and it has certainly been a long time coming. It has been more than three and a half years since we last left Hawkins, and now the time has come for the final battle against the monstrous villain of the Upside Down, Vecna/Henry Creel/One (Jamie Campbell Bower). Unlike other seasons that built slowly, the final chapter is intense from the start. “I think what’s unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of season four… We usually set up their normal life and how they’re going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start,” Ross Duffer told Tudum.

Consisting of eight episodes, the final season will be released in three separate installments. Gear up, dear fans: the first volume, composed of four episodes, maintains the essence of the original story, brings back its stellar cast, and has enough supernatural and human drama to keep us on the edge of our seats. Most interestingly, it uncovers unexpected secrets from the ghostly alternate dimension of the Upside Down.

How Does Stranger Things End?

The final rodeo begins in the fall of 1987 with the town under military quarantine. Nothing is normal: Vecna has torn down the barrier of reality, and the supernatural crisis can no longer be hidden. The noble Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) is the central figure this season again, just as he was in the first, when he was kidnapped and trapped in the Upside Down. “Will really takes center stage again in 5. This emotional arc for him is what we feel is going to hopefully tie the whole series together,” Ross told Variety.

This season, nothing less than the end of the world is at stake, so naturally, a lot happens. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), the heroine with psychokinetic powers, trains like never before for her interdimensional battle. Mike (Finn Wolfhard), the unwavering D&D strategist, proposes ingenious plans of action. Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), the science prodigy, experiences an inescapable grief and does his best to honor Eddie’s memory. Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), loyal as ever, remains at Max’s (Sadie Sink) side after her near-death encounter with Vecna – and yes, I’ll give you a heads up, Max has some surprises in store for us.

As for the older teens: tough Nancy (Natalia Dyer), “ultimate babysitter” Steve (Joe Keery), witty Rockin’ Robin (Maya Hawke), and former photographer Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) are all back, this time using radio station WSQK 94.5 FM as their underground headquarters in their fight against the Upside Down. All of our protagonists are battered in their own way, but determined to stop Vecna at all costs.

After the death of Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine), the intimidating Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton) leads the new human adversaries – government forces known as “Wolfpack” who oversee the occupation and relentlessly hunt Eleven. As political and military tensions escalate, Police Chief Hopper (David Harbour), resilient Joyce (Winona Ryder), and skilled investigator Murray (Brett Gelman) act as the gang’s “experienced” rear guard, protecting them from their own recklessness.

As you might expect, Vecna wastes no time in using his psychic powers to attack with murderous rage. This time, he has his sights set on the children of Hawkins and will use his army of terrifying monsters to dominate everything around him.

Season five of Stranger Things provide important answers about the supernatural events plaguing Hawkins, examining the origin and nature of the Upside Down.

The Duffer brothers, along with their screenwriters Caitlin Schneiderhan, Paul Dichter, Curtis Gwinn, and Kate Trefry, are consistent with the series’ signature themes, which include the power of friendship, the loss of innocence, collective strength, and mysteries hidden in plain sight.

In its epic conclusion, Stranger Things suggests that friendship may be the last hope in the face of darkness. Rather than military power or cutting-edge technology, the group’s deep connections constitute the most valuable protective shield.

So, Should I Watch It?

The finale of Stranger Things is here in season five, and yes, you should watch it. The first volume of the fifth season is the most ambitious, fast-paced, and emotionally satisfying to date, and fortunately, it knows exactly how and when to say goodbye.

The Duffers and their team convincingly tie up loose ends and properly prepare us for what is to come. The next installment will premiere on Christmas Day and contain the following three episodes. After that, the final episode, titled The Rightside Up, will hit Netflix December 31 and select theaters in the United States and Canada.

We’re betting the end of Stranger Things will be one of those television marvels that people still talk about years later.