Summary

• Stranger Things season 5 will be the final chapter of the epic sci-fi horror saga, bringing Eleven's struggle against Vecna and the Upside Down to an end.
• The Duffer Brothers meticulously planned the show's expansive story from the beginning, and the final season will feature a showdown of epic proportions.
• There is currently no release date for Stranger Things season 5, but it is expected that the main cast will return, including Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven and Finn Wolfhard as Mike. Linda Hamilton will also join the cast.

Stranger Things season 5 is confirmed to be the final chapter of the Duffer Brother's epic sci-fi horror saga, and the last volume in the story of Eleven, Will, and the town of Hawkins is beyond highly anticipated. The ending of the two-part season 4 of Stranger Things saw the heroes in a showdown with Vecna while Hawkins was left facing another rift caused by the villain. The story still has one last arc to cover though, and Stranger Things season 5 will finally bring Eleven's struggle against the Vecna and the Upside Down to an end, one way or the other.

The Duffer Brothers planned Stranger Things' expansive story from the outset, with a multi-season story mapped out before Netflix introduced the world to Eleven, Hawkins, or the Upside Down. Since the show's 2016 debut, Eleven and the other heroes of Hawkins have gone through incredible hardships, losing friends and family members and saving the world on multiple occasions. For every victory, though, the Upside Down gets smarter, throwing out new nightmares. It's clear that before Stranger Things season 5 ends, there will have to be a final showdown of epic proportions.

Related: Stranger Things Season 4 Ending Explained (In Detail)

The Latest Stranger Things Season 5 News

BTS Photos Reveal Jim Hopper's Return

As production continues on the landmark final season of the series, the latest update concerns BTS photos which reveal Jim Hopper's Stranger Things season 5 return. Coming as part of an Instagram post by series co-creator Ross Duffer, the BTS pictures of David Harbour show his gruff sheriff character sporting a full beard. This suggests a major change for the fatherly figure, who is most known for his bushy mustache. It is unclear how Hopper's new beard ties into the storyline of Stranger Things season 5.

Stranger Things Season 5 Production Status

Season 5 Is Currently Filming

There is no Stranger Things season 5 release date yet. Finn Wolfhard offered up the potential release window of early 2025 for Stranger Things season 5 (via GQ). This was prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, however. With the next season of Stranger Things among the many shows that were delayed, filming was not able to start until early 2024. It is currently unclear if season 5 will be released at once, or if it will come in two volumes like season 4.

Stranger Things Season 5: Cast

Which Stars Will Return?

While there have been no official Stranger Things season 5 cast announcements, it's expected that most — if not all — of the main cast will return. Stranger Things has managed to avoid any controversial recasts, and Stranger Things season 5 shouldn't be any different. Even cast members whose characters died or may have been killed off are likely to be on-screen again, including Sadie Sink's Max - whose fate was in question in the season 4 finale. All other actors expected to return for the Stranger Things season 5 cast are:

Additionally, Linda Hamilton is joining the Stranger Things season 5 cast. The Stranger Things season 5 casting announcement for Hamilton hinted at a connection to the Upside Down meaning it is a possible villain role for the iconic sci-fi action hero.

Related: Stranger Things Cast & Character Guide

Stranger Things Season 5: Story Details

How Will The Series Conclude?

Vecna is defeated in Stranger Things season 4 part 2, but he is not killed, and his disappearance almost certainly sets up his return as the villain of the final season. Meanwhile, the four gates that opened throughout Hawkins connect at its center, opening up chasms in the town with the suggestion that anything (or anyone) in the Upside Down can now enter the town. According to the Duffers, there is already a firm plan for the Stranger Things season 5 story, as they revealed in their letter to fans:

“There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes. But first we hope that you stay with us as we finish this tale of a powerful girl named Eleven and her brave friends, of a broken police chief and a ferocious mom, of a small town called Hawkins and an alternate dimension called the Upside Down. As always, we are gracious for your patience and your support.”

It's known that the Stranger Things season 5 will conclude the story, which means the last batch of episodes will need to be even more climactic than the ones that came before. The fate of characters like Max still hangs in the balance, and season 5 will have to address her coma immediately to satisfy fan curiosity. It is unknown at this juncture how the final season will raise the stakes, but it is expected that even more of the Upside Down will invade Hawkins.

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  Stranger Things

  Summary:

  Inspired by 80s pop-culture and elements of Stephen King's works, Stranger Things is a supernatural action-drama TV series set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. When a young boy goes missing, his group of friends stumbles upon a young girl with telekinetic powers who recently escaped from a mysterious facility. They soon realize that she may be their only chance at stopping an impending doom that threatens to engulf Hawkins whole.

  Release Date:

  2016-07-15

  Cast:

  Finn Wolfhard, Joe Keery, Jamie Campbell Bower, Brett Gelman, Caleb McLaughlin, Maya Hawke, David Harbour, Matthew Modine, Priah Ferguson, Gaten Matarazzo, Winona Ryder, Charlie Heaton, Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, Joseph Quinn, Dacre Montgomery, Natalia Dyer, Noah Schnapp

  Genres:

  Fantasy, Horror, Drama

  Seasons:

  4

  Franchise:

  Stranger Things

  Writers:

  Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Paul Dichter, Kate Trefry

  Story By:

  The Duffer Brothers

  Streaming Service(s):

  Netflix

  Directors:

  Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer

  Showrunner:

  Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer