Stranger Things season 5
Updated: 1/7/2026, 1:59:35 PM Wikipedia source
The fifth and final season of the American science fiction horror drama television series Stranger Things, marketed as Stranger Things 5, was released on the streaming service Netflix in two volumes and the finale. The first set of four episodes was released on November 26, 2025, the second set of three episodes was released on December 25, while the finale was released on December 31. It was produced by the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen. The season stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, Priah Ferguson, Linda Hamilton, Cara Buono, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Nell Fisher. Joe Chrest, Sherman Augustus, Alex Breaux, Jake Connelly, Amybeth McNulty, Randy Havens, and Linnea Berthelsen appear in recurring roles. The season received mostly positive reviews and was deemed a satisfying conclusion to the series. Critics praised the production values, visual effects, performances, action sequences, direction, soundtrack, and emotional weight, though some criticism was aimed at the writing and story.
Infobox
Showrunners
mw- Matt Duffer Ross Duffer
Starring
Winona Ryder David Harbour Millie Bobby Brown Finn Wolfhard Gaten Matarazzo Caleb McLaughlin Noah Schnapp Sadie Sink Natalia Dyer Charlie Heaton Joe Keery Maya Hawke Brett Gelman Priah Ferguson Linda Hamilton Cara Buono Jamie Campbell Bower Nell Fisher
Original network
Netflix
No. of episodes
8
Original release
November 26 (2025-11-26) –December 31, 2025 (2025-12-31)
Tables
· Episodes
Volume 1
Volume 1
No.overall
Volume 1
35
35
No.overall
35
No. inseason
1
Title
"Chapter One: The Crawl"
Directed by
The Duffer Brothers
Written by
The Duffer Brothers
Original release date
November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26)
While hiding in the Upside Down in 1983, Will is caught by Vecna and infected by a tentacle. In 1987, 19 months after the Rifts incident, a contingent of the US military, led by Dr. Kay and Lt. Robert Akers, have placed Hawkins under quarantine and created a base camp within the Upside Down while still on the hunt for Eleven, who trains in hiding with Hopper and Joyce. Will, Lucas, and Mike lay low, though Dustin provokes the school basketball team by continuing to honor Eddie. Steve, Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy work at WSQK, a local radio station, where they relay coded messages to the group about opportunities to sneak Hopper into the Upside Down, that they call "crawls", to find Vecna's hideout. Dustin is viciously beaten at Eddie's grave, causing him to miss the next crawl, which goes awry when a Demogorgon attacks a military caravan, forcing Hopper to take shelter within the Upside Down. Will telepathically witnesses the attack and sees the Demogorgon head towards the Wheeler residence just as it tears open a gate in the bedroom of Mike and Nancy's younger sister Holly.
While hiding in the Upside Down in 1983, Will is caught by Vecna and infected by a tentacle. In 1987, 19 months after the Rifts incident, a contingent of the US military, led by Dr. Kay and Lt. Robert Akers, have placed Hawkins under quarantine and created a base camp within the Upside Down while still on the hunt for Eleven, who trains in hiding with Hopper and Joyce. Will, Lucas, and Mike lay low, though Dustin provokes the school basketball team by continuing to honor Eddie. Steve, Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy work at WSQK, a local radio station, where they relay coded messages to the group about opportunities to sneak Hopper into the Upside Down, that they call "crawls", to find Vecna's hideout. Dustin is viciously beaten at Eddie's grave, causing him to miss the next crawl, which goes awry when a Demogorgon attacks a military caravan, forcing Hopper to take shelter within the Upside Down. Will telepathically witnesses the attack and sees the Demogorgon head towards the Wheeler residence just as it tears open a gate in the bedroom of Mike and Nancy's younger sister Holly.
No.overall
While hiding in the Upside Down in 1983, Will is caught by Vecna and infected by a tentacle. In 1987, 19 months after the Rifts incident, a contingent of the US military, led by Dr. Kay and Lt. Robert Akers, have placed Hawkins under quarantine and created a base camp within the Upside Down while still on the hunt for Eleven, who trains in hiding with Hopper and Joyce. Will, Lucas, and Mike lay low, though Dustin provokes the school basketball team by continuing to honor Eddie. Steve, Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy work at WSQK, a local radio station, where they relay coded messages to the group about opportunities to sneak Hopper into the Upside Down, that they call "crawls", to find Vecna's hideout. Dustin is viciously beaten at Eddie's grave, causing him to miss the next crawl, which goes awry when a Demogorgon attacks a military caravan, forcing Hopper to take shelter within the Upside Down. Will telepathically witnesses the attack and sees the Demogorgon head towards the Wheeler residence just as it tears open a gate in the bedroom of Mike and Nancy's younger sister Holly.
36
36
No.overall
36
No. inseason
2
Title
"Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler"
Directed by
The Duffer Brothers
Written by
The Duffer Brothers
Original release date
November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26)
The Demogorgon attacks and severely injures Mike and Nancy's parents, Karen and Ted, before disappearing with Holly to the Upside Down. Eleven follows the Demogorgon through a gate into the Upside Down and finds Hopper. The two then search for Holly until they encounter a giant wall surrounding the edge of Hawkins. Jonathan accuses Steve of competing for Nancy's attention before a bloodied Dustin finds them, while Lucas continues tending to a comatose Max in hopes she will wake up. As Karen and Ted remain hospitalized, Nancy and Mike theorize that "Mr. Whatsit", Holly's imaginary friend, may be real and involved in Holly's disappearance. Robin proposes using Will's telepathic link to Vecna's hive mind to track Holly in the Upside Down. Karen informs Nancy and Mike that Mr. Whatsit's first name is Henry, whom they realize is Vecna's human form, Henry Creel. Will discovers that his earlier visions were actually from Henry's point of view as he stalked Holly, realizing he can know Henry's targets before they are taken.
The Demogorgon attacks and severely injures Mike and Nancy's parents, Karen and Ted, before disappearing with Holly to the Upside Down. Eleven follows the Demogorgon through a gate into the Upside Down and finds Hopper. The two then search for Holly until they encounter a giant wall surrounding the edge of Hawkins. Jonathan accuses Steve of competing for Nancy's attention before a bloodied Dustin finds them, while Lucas continues tending to a comatose Max in hopes she will wake up. As Karen and Ted remain hospitalized, Nancy and Mike theorize that "Mr. Whatsit", Holly's imaginary friend, may be real and involved in Holly's disappearance. Robin proposes using Will's telepathic link to Vecna's hive mind to track Holly in the Upside Down. Karen informs Nancy and Mike that Mr. Whatsit's first name is Henry, whom they realize is Vecna's human form, Henry Creel. Will discovers that his earlier visions were actually from Henry's point of view as he stalked Holly, realizing he can know Henry's targets before they are taken.
No.overall
The Demogorgon attacks and severely injures Mike and Nancy's parents, Karen and Ted, before disappearing with Holly to the Upside Down. Eleven follows the Demogorgon through a gate into the Upside Down and finds Hopper. The two then search for Holly until they encounter a giant wall surrounding the edge of Hawkins. Jonathan accuses Steve of competing for Nancy's attention before a bloodied Dustin finds them, while Lucas continues tending to a comatose Max in hopes she will wake up. As Karen and Ted remain hospitalized, Nancy and Mike theorize that "Mr. Whatsit", Holly's imaginary friend, may be real and involved in Holly's disappearance. Robin proposes using Will's telepathic link to Vecna's hive mind to track Holly in the Upside Down. Karen informs Nancy and Mike that Mr. Whatsit's first name is Henry, whom they realize is Vecna's human form, Henry Creel. Will discovers that his earlier visions were actually from Henry's point of view as he stalked Holly, realizing he can know Henry's targets before they are taken.
37
37
No.overall
37
No. inseason
3
Title
"Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap"
Directed by
Frank Darabont
Written by
Caitlin Schneiderhan
Original release date
November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26)
Henry targets Holly's classmate and bully, Derek Turnbow, as his next victim. Hopper and Eleven fail to break through the massive wall and are ambushed by soldiers, but manage to overpower them. Hopper and Eleven interrogate Akers, concluding that Dr. Kay is holding Henry at the base. Will, Nancy, and Mike inform the group that Henry lured Holly by claiming he was her imaginary friend, prompting them to devise a plan to use Derek as bait to trap the Demogorgon, and implant a tracker in it to reach Holly before more children are taken. The group arms themselves using weapons smuggled in by Murray and enlists Erica to drug Derek and his family. The team splits up, transporting the unconscious family to an abandoned barn while converting Derek's house into a trap for the Demogorgon. The plan unravels when Derek wakes up and Will realizes the Demogorgon has located his group. Meanwhile, Holly finds herself in Henry's childhood home. In the nearby forest, she encounters Max.
Henry targets Holly's classmate and bully, Derek Turnbow, as his next victim. Hopper and Eleven fail to break through the massive wall and are ambushed by soldiers, but manage to overpower them. Hopper and Eleven interrogate Akers, concluding that Dr. Kay is holding Henry at the base. Will, Nancy, and Mike inform the group that Henry lured Holly by claiming he was her imaginary friend, prompting them to devise a plan to use Derek as bait to trap the Demogorgon, and implant a tracker in it to reach Holly before more children are taken. The group arms themselves using weapons smuggled in by Murray and enlists Erica to drug Derek and his family. The team splits up, transporting the unconscious family to an abandoned barn while converting Derek's house into a trap for the Demogorgon. The plan unravels when Derek wakes up and Will realizes the Demogorgon has located his group. Meanwhile, Holly finds herself in Henry's childhood home. In the nearby forest, she encounters Max.
No.overall
Henry targets Holly's classmate and bully, Derek Turnbow, as his next victim. Hopper and Eleven fail to break through the massive wall and are ambushed by soldiers, but manage to overpower them. Hopper and Eleven interrogate Akers, concluding that Dr. Kay is holding Henry at the base. Will, Nancy, and Mike inform the group that Henry lured Holly by claiming he was her imaginary friend, prompting them to devise a plan to use Derek as bait to trap the Demogorgon, and implant a tracker in it to reach Holly before more children are taken. The group arms themselves using weapons smuggled in by Murray and enlists Erica to drug Derek and his family. The team splits up, transporting the unconscious family to an abandoned barn while converting Derek's house into a trap for the Demogorgon. The plan unravels when Derek wakes up and Will realizes the Demogorgon has located his group. Meanwhile, Holly finds herself in Henry's childhood home. In the nearby forest, she encounters Max.
38
38
No.overall
38
No. inseason
4
Title
"Chapter Four: Sorcerer"
Directed by
The Duffer Brothers
Written by
Paul Dichter
Original release date
November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26)
Hopper and Eleven infiltrate the military base intending to kill Henry. They defeat Dr. Kay and her soldiers, discovering that the captive inside is Eleven's adoptive sister Kali. Max explains to Holly that they are trapped inside a psychic realm made of Henry's memories, nicknamed "Camazotz" by Holly, where Max has remained ever since her brief death. Will's group is attacked by a Demogorgon until Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan chase it into the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the military detains children in Hawkins who could be potential victims. Will experiences a vision of Holly and three other children being restrained by tentacles in Vecna's lair, with empty spots for eight more. Will's group infiltrates the base to smuggle the children out of Hawkins. However, Henry in his Vecna form and three Demogorgons emerge from the Upside Down, slaughter most of the soldiers at the Hawkins base, and kidnap Henry's targets, including Derek. Before retreating back into the Upside Down, Henry tells Will that he intends to use the children, whom he calls "perfect vessels", to reshape the world. Will then unlocks psychic abilities and kills the Demogorgons to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin.
Hopper and Eleven infiltrate the military base intending to kill Henry. They defeat Dr. Kay and her soldiers, discovering that the captive inside is Eleven's adoptive sister Kali. Max explains to Holly that they are trapped inside a psychic realm made of Henry's memories, nicknamed "Camazotz" by Holly, where Max has remained ever since her brief death. Will's group is attacked by a Demogorgon until Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan chase it into the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the military detains children in Hawkins who could be potential victims. Will experiences a vision of Holly and three other children being restrained by tentacles in Vecna's lair, with empty spots for eight more. Will's group infiltrates the base to smuggle the children out of Hawkins. However, Henry in his Vecna form and three Demogorgons emerge from the Upside Down, slaughter most of the soldiers at the Hawkins base, and kidnap Henry's targets, including Derek. Before retreating back into the Upside Down, Henry tells Will that he intends to use the children, whom he calls "perfect vessels", to reshape the world. Will then unlocks psychic abilities and kills the Demogorgons to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin.
No.overall
Hopper and Eleven infiltrate the military base intending to kill Henry. They defeat Dr. Kay and her soldiers, discovering that the captive inside is Eleven's adoptive sister Kali. Max explains to Holly that they are trapped inside a psychic realm made of Henry's memories, nicknamed "Camazotz" by Holly, where Max has remained ever since her brief death. Will's group is attacked by a Demogorgon until Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan chase it into the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the military detains children in Hawkins who could be potential victims. Will experiences a vision of Holly and three other children being restrained by tentacles in Vecna's lair, with empty spots for eight more. Will's group infiltrates the base to smuggle the children out of Hawkins. However, Henry in his Vecna form and three Demogorgons emerge from the Upside Down, slaughter most of the soldiers at the Hawkins base, and kidnap Henry's targets, including Derek. Before retreating back into the Upside Down, Henry tells Will that he intends to use the children, whom he calls "perfect vessels", to reshape the world. Will then unlocks psychic abilities and kills the Demogorgons to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin.
Volume 2
Volume 2
No.overall
Volume 2
39
39
No.overall
39
No. inseason
5
Title
"Chapter Five: Shock Jock"
Directed by
Frank Darabont
Written by
Curtis Gwinn
Original release date
December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
In Camazotz, the kidnapped children awaken, and while most believe Henry's claim that he saved them, Holly and Derek do not. Max and Holly search through Henry's memories of Holly, looking for a way out while Derek distracts him, but Henry discovers the plan, threatens Derek's family, finds Holly, and strangles Max. Will's group reanimates a dead Demogorgon using the voltage from the radio tower so Will can reconnect with the hive mind and attack Henry; Will breaks Henry's leg and saves Max, but collapses before he can finish him off. In the Upside Down, Hopper and Eleven escape from a military base with Kali, who reveals that Dr. Kay used her blood, just as Dr. Brenner used Henry's blood, in failed experiments to grant powers to babies, believing Eleven is the key. At Hawkins Lab, Dustin theorizes that a shield can weaken Henry. After finding Brenner's journal and realizing he is wrong, he tries to warn the others, but Nancy shoots a glowing sphere.
In Camazotz, the kidnapped children awaken, and while most believe Henry's claim that he saved them, Holly and Derek do not. Max and Holly search through Henry's memories of Holly, looking for a way out while Derek distracts him, but Henry discovers the plan, threatens Derek's family, finds Holly, and strangles Max. Will's group reanimates a dead Demogorgon using the voltage from the radio tower so Will can reconnect with the hive mind and attack Henry; Will breaks Henry's leg and saves Max, but collapses before he can finish him off. In the Upside Down, Hopper and Eleven escape from a military base with Kali, who reveals that Dr. Kay used her blood, just as Dr. Brenner used Henry's blood, in failed experiments to grant powers to babies, believing Eleven is the key. At Hawkins Lab, Dustin theorizes that a shield can weaken Henry. After finding Brenner's journal and realizing he is wrong, he tries to warn the others, but Nancy shoots a glowing sphere.
No.overall
In Camazotz, the kidnapped children awaken, and while most believe Henry's claim that he saved them, Holly and Derek do not. Max and Holly search through Henry's memories of Holly, looking for a way out while Derek distracts him, but Henry discovers the plan, threatens Derek's family, finds Holly, and strangles Max. Will's group reanimates a dead Demogorgon using the voltage from the radio tower so Will can reconnect with the hive mind and attack Henry; Will breaks Henry's leg and saves Max, but collapses before he can finish him off. In the Upside Down, Hopper and Eleven escape from a military base with Kali, who reveals that Dr. Kay used her blood, just as Dr. Brenner used Henry's blood, in failed experiments to grant powers to babies, believing Eleven is the key. At Hawkins Lab, Dustin theorizes that a shield can weaken Henry. After finding Brenner's journal and realizing he is wrong, he tries to warn the others, but Nancy shoots a glowing sphere.
40
40
No.overall
40
No. inseason
6
Title
"Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz"
Directed by
Shawn Levy
Written by
Kate Trefry
Original release date
December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
After the sphere detonates, the building starts to melt and Nancy and Jonathan are trapped in a room. Believing they will die, they end their relationship on good terms by being honest with each other before the melting halts. Dustin explains to Steve that the Upside Down is not an alternate dimension but a wormhole to another realm. Max and Holly find a memory of a young Henry killing a man in self-defense after being shot in the hand. Erica and Murray recruit Scott Clarke to help locate Dustin's group. Meanwhile, Henry uses the unconscious Will to track Max in the real world and sends Demodogs to kill her at the hospital. Hopper, Eleven, and Kali reunite with the others in Hawkins, and Eleven frees Will. At the hospital, Lucas, later joined by Robin and her girlfriend Vickie, protect Max from the Demodogs, with Karen ultimately saving them by detonating a laundry machine. Seeing her exit made from Lucas's music, Max helps Holly find her own way out by reminding her of her past bravery, allowing both to escape separately.
After the sphere detonates, the building starts to melt and Nancy and Jonathan are trapped in a room. Believing they will die, they end their relationship on good terms by being honest with each other before the melting halts. Dustin explains to Steve that the Upside Down is not an alternate dimension but a wormhole to another realm. Max and Holly find a memory of a young Henry killing a man in self-defense after being shot in the hand. Erica and Murray recruit Scott Clarke to help locate Dustin's group. Meanwhile, Henry uses the unconscious Will to track Max in the real world and sends Demodogs to kill her at the hospital. Hopper, Eleven, and Kali reunite with the others in Hawkins, and Eleven frees Will. At the hospital, Lucas, later joined by Robin and her girlfriend Vickie, protect Max from the Demodogs, with Karen ultimately saving them by detonating a laundry machine. Seeing her exit made from Lucas's music, Max helps Holly find her own way out by reminding her of her past bravery, allowing both to escape separately.
No.overall
After the sphere detonates, the building starts to melt and Nancy and Jonathan are trapped in a room. Believing they will die, they end their relationship on good terms by being honest with each other before the melting halts. Dustin explains to Steve that the Upside Down is not an alternate dimension but a wormhole to another realm. Max and Holly find a memory of a young Henry killing a man in self-defense after being shot in the hand. Erica and Murray recruit Scott Clarke to help locate Dustin's group. Meanwhile, Henry uses the unconscious Will to track Max in the real world and sends Demodogs to kill her at the hospital. Hopper, Eleven, and Kali reunite with the others in Hawkins, and Eleven frees Will. At the hospital, Lucas, later joined by Robin and her girlfriend Vickie, protect Max from the Demodogs, with Karen ultimately saving them by detonating a laundry machine. Seeing her exit made from Lucas's music, Max helps Holly find her own way out by reminding her of her past bravery, allowing both to escape separately.
41
41
No.overall
41
No. inseason
7
Title
"Chapter Seven: The Bridge"
Directed by
The Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy
Written by
The Duffer Brothers
Original release date
December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25)
Max awakens safely in the real world while Holly finds herself trapped in the other realm. Dustin and Steve rescue Nancy and Jonathan and witness Holly falling through the Upside Down before Henry pulls her back with telekinesis. Erica, Murray, and Mr. Clarke locate Dustin's group, and everyone reunites as Dr. Kay orders Akers to hunt Eleven. Dustin explains that "the Abyss" is a separate dimension, and Max reveals Henry's plan to merge it with their world. Steve suggests drawing the dimensions closer so Eleven can confront Henry while the others blow up the Upside Down. Kali tells Eleven that once Henry is defeated, they must die to prevent Kay or anyone else from repeating Brenner's experiment. Will comes out as gay so Henry cannot use that against him. Erica and Mr. Clarke open the military base for Murray to drive most of the group back into the Upside Down. When Holly awakens in Henry's home, she is beaten after failing to convince the other kids of the truth, while Derek stays silent to protect his family. Henry links with the twelve children, placing them into trances to carry out his plan.
Max awakens safely in the real world while Holly finds herself trapped in the other realm. Dustin and Steve rescue Nancy and Jonathan and witness Holly falling through the Upside Down before Henry pulls her back with telekinesis. Erica, Murray, and Mr. Clarke locate Dustin's group, and everyone reunites as Dr. Kay orders Akers to hunt Eleven. Dustin explains that "the Abyss" is a separate dimension, and Max reveals Henry's plan to merge it with their world. Steve suggests drawing the dimensions closer so Eleven can confront Henry while the others blow up the Upside Down. Kali tells Eleven that once Henry is defeated, they must die to prevent Kay or anyone else from repeating Brenner's experiment. Will comes out as gay so Henry cannot use that against him. Erica and Mr. Clarke open the military base for Murray to drive most of the group back into the Upside Down. When Holly awakens in Henry's home, she is beaten after failing to convince the other kids of the truth, while Derek stays silent to protect his family. Henry links with the twelve children, placing them into trances to carry out his plan.
No.overall
Max awakens safely in the real world while Holly finds herself trapped in the other realm. Dustin and Steve rescue Nancy and Jonathan and witness Holly falling through the Upside Down before Henry pulls her back with telekinesis. Erica, Murray, and Mr. Clarke locate Dustin's group, and everyone reunites as Dr. Kay orders Akers to hunt Eleven. Dustin explains that "the Abyss" is a separate dimension, and Max reveals Henry's plan to merge it with their world. Steve suggests drawing the dimensions closer so Eleven can confront Henry while the others blow up the Upside Down. Kali tells Eleven that once Henry is defeated, they must die to prevent Kay or anyone else from repeating Brenner's experiment. Will comes out as gay so Henry cannot use that against him. Erica and Mr. Clarke open the military base for Murray to drive most of the group back into the Upside Down. When Holly awakens in Henry's home, she is beaten after failing to convince the other kids of the truth, while Derek stays silent to protect his family. Henry links with the twelve children, placing them into trances to carry out his plan.
Finale
Finale
No.overall
Finale
42
42
No.overall
42
No. inseason
8
Title
"Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up"
Directed by
The Duffer Brothers
Written by
The Duffer Brothers
Original release date
December 31, 2025 (2025-12-31)
As the others make their way to the Abyss, Eleven, Kali, and Max enter Henry's mind and stop him from merging the worlds, but he transforms into Vecna, escapes and tricks Hopper into breaking the link. Akers fatally shoots Kali, prompting Eleven to kill him and his soldiers, while Holly leads the other children out of Henry's mind. Will witnesses Henry's past and learns he was corrupted by a fragment of the Mind Flayer, which he fully embraces despite Will's pleas. The Mind Flayer rises as a giant kaiju, and Henry is ultimately impaled by Eleven and Will, while the others destroy the Mind Flayer. The group rescues the children and Joyce decapitates a dying Henry. After returning to Hawkins and detonating the Upside Down, the group is arrested by Dr. Kay, but released when Eleven chooses to stay behind in the Upside Down. Eighteen months later, life is normal again: the older teens reunite, Hopper proposes to Joyce, and the younger teens graduate and play Dungeons & Dragons, as Mike imagines their futures and theorizes how Eleven may still be alive.
As the others make their way to the Abyss, Eleven, Kali, and Max enter Henry's mind and stop him from merging the worlds, but he transforms into Vecna, escapes and tricks Hopper into breaking the link. Akers fatally shoots Kali, prompting Eleven to kill him and his soldiers, while Holly leads the other children out of Henry's mind. Will witnesses Henry's past and learns he was corrupted by a fragment of the Mind Flayer, which he fully embraces despite Will's pleas. The Mind Flayer rises as a giant kaiju, and Henry is ultimately impaled by Eleven and Will, while the others destroy the Mind Flayer. The group rescues the children and Joyce decapitates a dying Henry. After returning to Hawkins and detonating the Upside Down, the group is arrested by Dr. Kay, but released when Eleven chooses to stay behind in the Upside Down. Eighteen months later, life is normal again: the older teens reunite, Hopper proposes to Joyce, and the younger teens graduate and play Dungeons & Dragons, as Mike imagines their futures and theorizes how Eleven may still be alive.
No.overall
As the others make their way to the Abyss, Eleven, Kali, and Max enter Henry's mind and stop him from merging the worlds, but he transforms into Vecna, escapes and tricks Hopper into breaking the link. Akers fatally shoots Kali, prompting Eleven to kill him and his soldiers, while Holly leads the other children out of Henry's mind. Will witnesses Henry's past and learns he was corrupted by a fragment of the Mind Flayer, which he fully embraces despite Will's pleas. The Mind Flayer rises as a giant kaiju, and Henry is ultimately impaled by Eleven and Will, while the others destroy the Mind Flayer. The group rescues the children and Joyce decapitates a dying Henry. After returning to Hawkins and detonating the Upside Down, the group is arrested by Dr. Kay, but released when Eleven chooses to stay behind in the Upside Down. Eighteen months later, life is normal again: the older teens reunite, Hopper proposes to Joyce, and the younger teens graduate and play Dungeons & Dragons, as Mike imagines their futures and theorizes how Eleven may still be alive.
| No.overall | No. inseason | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |||||||
| Volume 1 | ||||||||||||
| 35 | 1 | "Chapter One: The Crawl" | The Duffer Brothers | The Duffer Brothers | November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26) | |||||||
| While hiding in the Upside Down in 1983, Will is caught by Vecna and infected by a tentacle. In 1987, 19 months after the Rifts incident, a contingent of the US military, led by Dr. Kay and Lt. Robert Akers, have placed Hawkins under quarantine and created a base camp within the Upside Down while still on the hunt for Eleven, who trains in hiding with Hopper and Joyce. Will, Lucas, and Mike lay low, though Dustin provokes the school basketball team by continuing to honor Eddie. Steve, Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy work at WSQK, a local radio station, where they relay coded messages to the group about opportunities to sneak Hopper into the Upside Down, that they call "crawls", to find Vecna's hideout. Dustin is viciously beaten at Eddie's grave, causing him to miss the next crawl, which goes awry when a Demogorgon attacks a military caravan, forcing Hopper to take shelter within the Upside Down. Will telepathically witnesses the attack and sees the Demogorgon head towards the Wheeler residence just as it tears open a gate in the bedroom of Mike and Nancy's younger sister Holly. | ||||||||||||
| 36 | 2 | "Chapter Two: The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler" | The Duffer Brothers | The Duffer Brothers | November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26) | |||||||
| The Demogorgon attacks and severely injures Mike and Nancy's parents, Karen and Ted, before disappearing with Holly to the Upside Down. Eleven follows the Demogorgon through a gate into the Upside Down and finds Hopper. The two then search for Holly until they encounter a giant wall surrounding the edge of Hawkins. Jonathan accuses Steve of competing for Nancy's attention before a bloodied Dustin finds them, while Lucas continues tending to a comatose Max in hopes she will wake up. As Karen and Ted remain hospitalized, Nancy and Mike theorize that "Mr. Whatsit", Holly's imaginary friend, may be real and involved in Holly's disappearance. Robin proposes using Will's telepathic link to Vecna's hive mind to track Holly in the Upside Down. Karen informs Nancy and Mike that Mr. Whatsit's first name is Henry, whom they realize is Vecna's human form, Henry Creel. Will discovers that his earlier visions were actually from Henry's point of view as he stalked Holly, realizing he can know Henry's targets before they are taken. | ||||||||||||
| 37 | 3 | "Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap" | Frank Darabont | Caitlin Schneiderhan | November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26) | |||||||
| Henry targets Holly's classmate and bully, Derek Turnbow, as his next victim. Hopper and Eleven fail to break through the massive wall and are ambushed by soldiers, but manage to overpower them. Hopper and Eleven interrogate Akers, concluding that Dr. Kay is holding Henry at the base. Will, Nancy, and Mike inform the group that Henry lured Holly by claiming he was her imaginary friend, prompting them to devise a plan to use Derek as bait to trap the Demogorgon, and implant a tracker in it to reach Holly before more children are taken. The group arms themselves using weapons smuggled in by Murray and enlists Erica to drug Derek and his family. The team splits up, transporting the unconscious family to an abandoned barn while converting Derek's house into a trap for the Demogorgon. The plan unravels when Derek wakes up and Will realizes the Demogorgon has located his group. Meanwhile, Holly finds herself in Henry's childhood home. In the nearby forest, she encounters Max. | ||||||||||||
| 38 | 4 | "Chapter Four: Sorcerer" | The Duffer Brothers | Paul Dichter | November 26, 2025 (2025-11-26) | |||||||
| Hopper and Eleven infiltrate the military base intending to kill Henry. They defeat Dr. Kay and her soldiers, discovering that the captive inside is Eleven's adoptive sister Kali. Max explains to Holly that they are trapped inside a psychic realm made of Henry's memories, nicknamed "Camazotz" by Holly, where Max has remained ever since her brief death. Will's group is attacked by a Demogorgon until Dustin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan chase it into the Upside Down. Meanwhile, the military detains children in Hawkins who could be potential victims. Will experiences a vision of Holly and three other children being restrained by tentacles in Vecna's lair, with empty spots for eight more. Will's group infiltrates the base to smuggle the children out of Hawkins. However, Henry in his Vecna form and three Demogorgons emerge from the Upside Down, slaughter most of the soldiers at the Hawkins base, and kidnap Henry's targets, including Derek. Before retreating back into the Upside Down, Henry tells Will that he intends to use the children, whom he calls "perfect vessels", to reshape the world. Will then unlocks psychic abilities and kills the Demogorgons to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin. | ||||||||||||
| Volume 2 | ||||||||||||
| 39 | 5 | "Chapter Five: Shock Jock" | Frank Darabont | Curtis Gwinn | December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25) | |||||||
| In Camazotz, the kidnapped children awaken, and while most believe Henry's claim that he saved them, Holly and Derek do not. Max and Holly search through Henry's memories of Holly, looking for a way out while Derek distracts him, but Henry discovers the plan, threatens Derek's family, finds Holly, and strangles Max. Will's group reanimates a dead Demogorgon using the voltage from the radio tower so Will can reconnect with the hive mind and attack Henry; Will breaks Henry's leg and saves Max, but collapses before he can finish him off. In the Upside Down, Hopper and Eleven escape from a military base with Kali, who reveals that Dr. Kay used her blood, just as Dr. Brenner used Henry's blood, in failed experiments to grant powers to babies, believing Eleven is the key. At Hawkins Lab, Dustin theorizes that a shield can weaken Henry. After finding Brenner's journal and realizing he is wrong, he tries to warn the others, but Nancy shoots a glowing sphere. | ||||||||||||
| 40 | 6 | "Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz" | Shawn Levy | Kate Trefry | December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25) | |||||||
| After the sphere detonates, the building starts to melt and Nancy and Jonathan are trapped in a room. Believing they will die, they end their relationship on good terms by being honest with each other before the melting halts. Dustin explains to Steve that the Upside Down is not an alternate dimension but a wormhole to another realm. Max and Holly find a memory of a young Henry killing a man in self-defense after being shot in the hand. Erica and Murray recruit Scott Clarke to help locate Dustin's group. Meanwhile, Henry uses the unconscious Will to track Max in the real world and sends Demodogs to kill her at the hospital. Hopper, Eleven, and Kali reunite with the others in Hawkins, and Eleven frees Will. At the hospital, Lucas, later joined by Robin and her girlfriend Vickie, protect Max from the Demodogs, with Karen ultimately saving them by detonating a laundry machine. Seeing her exit made from Lucas's music, Max helps Holly find her own way out by reminding her of her past bravery, allowing both to escape separately. | ||||||||||||
| 41 | 7 | "Chapter Seven: The Bridge" | The Duffer Brothers and Shawn Levy | The Duffer Brothers | December 25, 2025 (2025-12-25) | |||||||
| Max awakens safely in the real world while Holly finds herself trapped in the other realm. Dustin and Steve rescue Nancy and Jonathan and witness Holly falling through the Upside Down before Henry pulls her back with telekinesis. Erica, Murray, and Mr. Clarke locate Dustin's group, and everyone reunites as Dr. Kay orders Akers to hunt Eleven. Dustin explains that "the Abyss" is a separate dimension, and Max reveals Henry's plan to merge it with their world. Steve suggests drawing the dimensions closer so Eleven can confront Henry while the others blow up the Upside Down. Kali tells Eleven that once Henry is defeated, they must die to prevent Kay or anyone else from repeating Brenner's experiment. Will comes out as gay so Henry cannot use that against him. Erica and Mr. Clarke open the military base for Murray to drive most of the group back into the Upside Down. When Holly awakens in Henry's home, she is beaten after failing to convince the other kids of the truth, while Derek stays silent to protect his family. Henry links with the twelve children, placing them into trances to carry out his plan. | ||||||||||||
| Finale | ||||||||||||
| 42 | 8 | "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up" | The Duffer Brothers | The Duffer Brothers | December 31, 2025 (2025-12-31) | |||||||
| As the others make their way to the Abyss, Eleven, Kali, and Max enter Henry's mind and stop him from merging the worlds, but he transforms into Vecna, escapes and tricks Hopper into breaking the link. Akers fatally shoots Kali, prompting Eleven to kill him and his soldiers, while Holly leads the other children out of Henry's mind. Will witnesses Henry's past and learns he was corrupted by a fragment of the Mind Flayer, which he fully embraces despite Will's pleas. The Mind Flayer rises as a giant kaiju, and Henry is ultimately impaled by Eleven and Will, while the others destroy the Mind Flayer. The group rescues the children and Joyce decapitates a dying Henry. After returning to Hawkins and detonating the Upside Down, the group is arrested by Dr. Kay, but released when Eleven chooses to stay behind in the Upside Down. Eighteen months later, life is normal again: the older teens reunite, Hopper proposes to Joyce, and the younger teens graduate and play Dungeons & Dragons, as Mike imagines their futures and theorizes how Eleven may still be alive. | ||||||||||||
Stranger Things season 5: Critical reception by episode · Reception
| Season 5 (2025): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes |
References
- Fisher is credited as "Also Starring" in all episodes except for the final episode, where she is credited with the main
- Between the events of the first season episodes "Chapter Seven: The Bathtub" and "Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" (2016)
- As depicted in the fourth season episode "Chapter Nine: The Piggyback" (2022).
- Netflixhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/stranger-things-season-5-release-date
- Sherman Augustus - Actor/Renaissance Manhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB2OXxlwR6U
- "Stranger Things" Actor: Joe Chrest. (Ted Wheeler)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNTpGmkx4Rw&t=36m22s
- Timehttps://time.com/7324811/stranger-things-season-5/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2022/02/stranger-things-renewed-season-5-final-season-4-premiere-date-1234935526/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/tv/2017/09/28/netflix-stranger-things-how-many-seasons/
- Tudumhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/duffer-brothers-stranger-things-season-5-wgfest-interview
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a44384720/stranger-things-season-5-director-dan-trachtenberg/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/stranger-things-season-5-directing-shawn-levy-comments/
- Dexertohttps://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/dan-trachtenberg-stranger-things-season-5-predator-badlands-3277416/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/tv/news/frank-darabont-ends-retirement-stranger-things-5-1236160343/
- "Day 1"https://twitter.com/strangerwriters/status/1554531728466722817
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2022/11/stranger-things-title-season-5-episode-1-final-season-revealed-1235165081/
- ComicBook.comhttps://comicbook.com/horror/news/stranger-things-season-5-description-writer-baby-injected-steroids/
- "Writing on the fifth and final season of Stranger Things has been paused"https://x.com/strangerwriters/status/1654955071631765506?s=46
- "Stranger Things writers resume writing on the fifth and final season"https://x.com/strangerwriters/status/1706927074576105646?s=46
- MovieWebhttps://movieweb.com/netflix-prioritize-scripts-wednesday-stranger-things/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-10-14/stranger-things-first-shadow-prequel-henry-creel-vecna-hopper-joyce
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/duffer-brothers-netflix-exit-stranger-things-future-1236529430/
- Netflixhttps://web.archive.org/web/20251218233527/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/videos/stranger-things-5-episode-4-table-read
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/features/stranger-things-5-cast-last-day-on-set-1236575810/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-episode-2-cold-open-teased-ross-duffer/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/features/finn-wolfhard-stranger-things-5-ending-last-day-set-1236477892/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/features/stranger-things-5-duffer-bros-ending-spinoffs-1236551615/
- Empirehttps://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/stranger-things-5-eleven-powered-up-the-force-exclusive/
- Screen Ranthttps://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/stranger-things-5-vecna-2-freddy-on-steroids-exclusive/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/stranger-things-creators-break-down-season-5-trailer-first-look-vecna-exclusive-11839033
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/stranger-things-5-explained-will-powers-return-of-eight-vecna-plan-1236592989/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/11/stranger-things-5-will-super-powers-noah-schnapp-interview-1236627362/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-ending-eleven-death-explained-duffer-bros/
- "Stranger Things season 5: All we know so far about the Netflix show's final chapter"https://www.gamesradar.com/stranger-things-season-5-release-date-netflix-plot/
- "Stranger Things Season 5 Officially Begins Production, Cast Photo Revealed"https://www.ign.com/articles/stranger-things-season-5-officially-begins-production-cast-photo-revealed
- What's on Netflixhttps://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/eduardo-franco-wont-return-as-argyle-for-stranger-things-season-5/
- CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2023/06/18/entertainment/linda-hamilton-stranger-things/index.html
- Us Weeklyhttps://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/why-stranger-things-gave-linda-hamilton-imposter-syndrome/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/07/stranger-things-season-5-nell-fisher-alex-breaux-jake-connelly-cast-bts-video-1236010110/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/tv/news/stranger-things-season-5-first-look-millie-bobby-brown-new-cast-1236071959/
- Knight Edge Mediahttps://knightedgemedia.com/2024/10/casting-call-goes-out-for-hoppers-daughter-in-netflixs-stranger-things-season-5/
- J-14.comhttps://www.j-14.com/posts/nell-fisher-on-bookworm-costar-elijah-wood-stranger-things-season-5/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/11/duffer-brothers-cast-drama-teacher-stranger-things-season-5-1236630922/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/11/stranger-things-5-kali-return-duffer-bros-explain-dr-kay-1236628867/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/david-harbour-stranger-things-season-5-thunderbolts-filming-schedule/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stranger-things-final-season-production-delayed-by-labor-unrest-1235481536/
- "Winona Ryder's 'One Condition' for Joining 'Stranger Things' Was a Filming Break If 'Beetlejuice 2' Ever Happened: 'They Agreed. Luckily, It Worked Out'"https://variety.com/2024/film/news/winona-ryder-stranger-things-offer-beetlejuice-2-filming-break-1236075759/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/01/stranger-things-production-begins-season-5-1235699016/
- Bleeding Coolhttps://bleedingcool.com/tv/stranger-things-5-has-9-months-of-filming-left-millie-bobby-brown/
- IGN Southeast Asiahttps://sea.ign.com/stranger-things/217734/news/stranger-things-season-5-will-be-basically-eight-movies-says-maya-hawke
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/07/stranger-things-season-5-production-halfway-1236001135/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/finn-wolfhard-reveals-very-meaningful-props-he-would-love-to-take-from-stranger-things-set-exclusive-8726394
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2024/tv/news/stranger-things-wraps-production-final-season-1236256264/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/12/stranger-things-wraps-production-season-5-photos-1236239226/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/stranger-things-end-release-date-1236291873/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/stranger-things-season-5-ahead-of-schedule-release-date-1236302825/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-budget-report/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-seaason-5-teaser-eleven-missing-poster/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/stranger-things-final-season-premiere-date-1236234535/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-official-poster/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-teaser-trailer/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-great-1980s-soundtrack-tradition-continue/
- Game Ranthttps://gamerant.com/stranger-things-season-5-teaser-emotional-understand-long-wait-netflix/
- Soap Centralhttps://www.soapcentral.com/shows/how-vecna-s-appearance-changed-stranger-things-season-5-details-explained-depth
- Game Ranthttps://gamerant.com/stranger-things-fans-mock-vecnas-design-season-5/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-trailer-breakdown-reveals/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/stranger-things-season-5-trailer-song-meaning/
- TechRadarhttps://www.techradar.com/streaming/netflix/stranger-things-season-5-trailer-leaks-online-hours-before-official-netflix-release-and-fans-think-it-includes-a-big-spoiler
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/11/stranger-things-season-5-first-5-minutes-will-vecna-1236609373/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/star-wars-starfighter-movie-matt-smith-destiny-shawn-levy/
- Tudumhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/features/stranger-things-5-events
- IGNhttps://www.ign.com/articles/stranger-things-season-5-release-dates-revealed-alongside-new-teaser-trailer
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/stranger-things-season-5-release-date-netflix-1236178482/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/stranger-things-season-5-premiere-causes-netflix-crash-despite-creator-saying-streamer-increased-bandwidth-11858318
- Timehttps://time.com/7335574/stranger-things-season-5-episode-2-the-vanishing-of-holly-wheeler/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-down-crashes-stranger-things-finale-1236621055/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-stranger-things-finale-theaters-tickets-1236408174/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2026/01/box-office-avatar-fire-and-ash-marty-supreme-new-year-1236659703/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2026/01/box-office-stranger-things-finale-1236660176/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/netflix-stranger-things-5-documentary-1236462837/
- Stranger Thingshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/stranger_things/s05
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/tv/stranger-things/season-5/