Stranger Things Season 5 Promises Biggest Action Yet — First Four Episodes Drop Nov. 26, Finale on New Year’s Eve
Stranger Things season 5 is billed as the biggest yet, and the cast and showrunners recently looked back at the series in a new featurette that teases a large final confrontation and heavier action, visual effects, and story.
Featurette highlights
Netflix released a featurette on Sept. 24 that gives a peek at the final season and the showdown between Hawkins’ heroes and Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower. The piece includes footage already shown in the July teaser, along with a few new moments. For example, Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) is seen holding a walkie-talkie in front of a house overrun with vines from the Upside Down, and Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) drives with Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke) in the passenger seat.
In addition, the showrunners Matt and Ross Duffer describe season 5 as the biggest yet in terms of action, visual effects, and story. The featurette mixes action beats with lighter memories from the show’s run, like the kids dressed as Ghostbusters and playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Cast quotes
Several cast members echoed the Duffers’ claims. Finn Wolfhard said, “It’s the highest stakes the show has ever been,” and Millie Bobby Brown said, “everybody is really put into the thick of it. No one is sitting back on a walkie-talkie.” Winona Ryder also appears in the featurette, saying, “I got to watch these kids grow, which is the biggest gift that this show has given me.”
Release schedule
The release plan is concrete: the first four episodes of season 5 arrive on Netflix at 5 p.m. PT on Nov. 26. Then three more episodes will drop on Christmas, and the series finale will be released on New Year’s Eve.
Series history and tribute
Stranger Things originally premiered in 2016. Therefore, the original child actors are now adults, and the featurette reflects that long run by pairing big action teases with nostalgic moments. The clip also honors characters who were killed in earlier seasons, naming Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) and Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) as examples.
Who and what to watch for
To summarize, expect:
- larger set pieces and more visual effects;
- a central clash with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower);
- key moments for the returning main cast, including Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Maya Hawke, Brett Gelman, and Winona Ryder.
Finally, the featurette and the release dates give a clear timeline for fans planning to watch the end of the series this holiday season.
