Stranger Things Season 5 release schedule, episode count, runtimes, cast, and what drops next

The wait is over: Stranger Things Season 5—the final chapter—has begun rolling out in three parts on Netflix. A surge of premiere-night viewing briefly overwhelmed the service, underscoring how massive this send-off is. Below you’ll find the official rollout, how many episodes there are, who’s back, where the story picks up, and when the rest of the season lands.

Stranger Things Season 5 release date and time

Season 5 is being released in three waves:

• Part 1 (Episodes 1–4): Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET (UK: 1 a.m. GMT on Nov. 27).

• Part 2 (Episodes 5–7): Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025 (times to follow the platform’s listing; expect an evening U.S. drop).

• Series Finale (Episode 8): Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 (limited theatrical screenings are planned alongside streaming).

Note: The premiere used an evening U.S. release, not the platform’s usual overnight timing. Set reminders; times can vary slightly by region and device.

How many episodes are in Stranger Things Season 5?

• Total: 8 episodes

• Part 1: 4 episodes

• Part 2: 3 episodes

• Finale: 1 episode (drops as a standalone event)

Early listings show feature-style runtimes in places, with the premiere running about 68 minutes; expect several chapters to push past the hour as the story accelerates.

Quick guide: dates, episodes, expected drop windows

Schedule subject to change on the platform; check your profile’s “Coming Soon” rail for local times.

Where the story picks up (no major spoilers)

Season 5 is set about a year after Season 4, placing the action in fall 1987. Hawkins is still reeling as the Upside Down’s influence bleeds further into the real world. Eleven faces harder choices about what her powers cost, Will Byers is pulled closer to the show’s central mystery, and the group converges on a plan that doesn’t leave much room for second chances. Vecna (Henry Creel) remains the driving threat, reshaped and more dangerous after last season’s confrontation.

Cast: who’s in Stranger Things 5

Returning series regulars include Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, and more. Linda Hamilton joins the final run, and several familiar Hawkins faces step back into the fray as the town braces for an endgame that ties back to the earliest disappearances.

Episode length and pacing

The Duffers promised a “go from zero to sixty” style final season. That shows up in longer sequences, fewer detours, and cross-cutting that keeps multiple squads in motion. Expect set-piece-heavy episodes and a finale treated as a separate event, with the kind of runtime typically reserved for a theatrical release.

Is Stranger Things Season 5 out right now?

• Yes—Part 1 is streaming now (Episodes 1–4).

• Part 2 arrives Dec. 25.

• The finale lands Dec. 31 (with limited big-screen showings alongside streaming).

If your app hiccuped at launch: a brief spike in traffic triggered a short-lived outage around the Part 1 drop before service recovered.

Who dies in Stranger Things Season 5? (Spoiler-light, Part 1)

Early reactions flag major jeopardy from the jump and at least one shocking, graphic death in the opening batch. Because many viewers are still catching up and specifics can evolve as more episodes release, we’re keeping this spoiler-light for now. Bookmark this page for a fuller breakdown once Part 2 lands. If you’re starting Part 1: be prepared—no character feels entirely safe.

New to Stranger Things? A lightning recap

• Season 1 (2016): Will Byers vanishes; Eleven escapes a secret program; the Upside Down is revealed.

• Season 2 (2017): The Mind Flayer expands its reach; Will’s connection deepens.

• Season 3 (2019): Starcourt Mall masks a gateway plot; the gang fractures, then reunites.

• Season 4 (2022): Vecna/Henry/One emerges, ripping psychic wounds across Hawkins and setting up an open gate scenario that Season 5 now confronts.

FAQ: your most-searched questions answered

• How many episodes are in Season 5? Eight.

• How long are the episodes? Several run over an hour; the finale is feature-length.

• What time does Stranger Things 5 come out? Part 1 used 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET; watch for similar evening windows on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31.

• Is Season 5 on Netflix? Yes—this is the show’s home for all parts.

• Will there be a Season 6? No—Season 5 is the final season, though spin-offs set in the universe have been teased.

What’s next

Circle Dec. 25 for the next three chapters and Dec. 31 for the finale. Expect deeper dives into Will’s connection, Eleven vs. Vecna round two, and high-stakes moves that aim to close the book on Hawkins—one way or another. Keep your group chat spoiler-free, and enjoy the ride back to the Upside Down.