It’s been almost three years since fans saw Hawkins left in ruins as Eleven and the gang wondered how they were going to beat Vecna as the Upside Down leaked into the real world. But with Stranger Things 5 coming at some point in 2025, it’s time for a refresher on everything to know about the upcoming season.
When Is ‘Stranger Things 5’ Coming Out?
Hands down, the one question people want to know about Stranger Things 5 is when it premieres. While Netflix hasn’t announced a specific date for the final season’s release, it did promise fans that it would arrive in 2025.
Stranger Things 5 was hit with delays due to the writer’s strikes that lasted from May to September in 2023 and put a significant dent in their schedule. Cameras were eventually picked back up in January 2024, and 11 months later, Ross Duffer, one of the show’s creators, announced that filming for season 5 had been completed.
“We’ve been telling this story for nearly a decade now. Many of our cast members joined us when they were kids, just ten or eleven years old. It wasn’t just a show for them — it was a defining part of their childhood,” he wrote via Instagram on December 20, 2024. “They’ve grown up before our eyes, becoming more than actors — they’ve become family.”
He continued, “But it’s not just the cast we consider family. Our crew — many of whom have been with us from the very beginning — holds a special place in our hearts. Their dedication and passion have been the backbone of this journey. Everyone involved was determined to bring this story to a satisfying conclusion. They poured their hearts and souls into it, and we couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished. We can’t wait to share it with you all next year. Until then — over and out.”
Who’s Returning for ‘Stranger Things 5’?
The Duffer brothers have said that the final season of Stranger Things will focus on the original group, which means Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Will (Noah Schnapp). Sadie Sink, who plays Max, joined the cast in season 2 and quickly became a fan favorite, and even though she’s not technically part of the OG group, it’s likely she’ll be included.
All of those stars are set to return along with David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Cara Buono, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Charlie Heaton, Jamie Campbell Bower and Brett Gelman.
Will There Be a ‘Stranger Things 5’ Trailer Soon?
As of now, Netflix hasn’t released an official trailer for Stranger Things 5, but fans are on high alert. Based on past seasons, a teaser or full trailer typically arrives a few months ahead of the premiere, which is expected sometime in 2025.
Industry insiders and fans are both speculating that the first glimpse could drop around major fan events like San Diego Comic-Con 2025 or Netflix’s own TUDUM showcase, both of which have been popular for trailers in previous seasons. Plus, behind-the-scenes set photos and casting updates surfaced online in April 2025, and hinted that promotional material may be in the works.
While there’s no official date yet, all signs point to a trailer arriving in the second half of 2025, and possibly sooner if Netflix wants to kick off a long lead-up campaign for what will be the final season.
New Characters and Plot Clues for ‘Stranger Things 5’
The Duffers have confirmed that Stranger Things 5 will begin after a small time jump, likely to accommodate the aging cast and to reframe the story’s next phase. Despite the jump, the season will still pick up in the immediate aftermath of the Season 4 finale, where Vecna’s attack left Hawkins in ruins.
While it’s been said that the final season will get back to the show’s roots in Hawkins and the original cast, it was announced in 2023 that at least a few new fresh faces would be joining the series, including Terminator star Linda Hamilton.
Fans can expect to see Vecan wreaking havoc on the minds of citizens in Hawkins after he survived at the end of season 4. Plus, Joseph Quinn, who played Eddie Munson in season 4, said that Stranger Things 5 would “expand the scope of the threat,” hinting that the kids might be facing off against more than just Vecna.
