Stranger Things Season 5 roundup: expected release, cast, plot, and everything we know so far

Stranger Things Season 5 is going to be the final season for the superhit Netflix original series that has millions of fans across the world. With everyone gripped to watching the stories of Eleven and the other characters since 2016, how will the sci-fi thriller be concluded? Should we expect another twist? How long will the Stranger Things Season 5 episodes be? What really is the story about? And, when is it released? We got you covered! Here are all the details we have on Stranger Things Season 5, including the expected release, story, cast, episodes, and more.

Stranger Things Season 5 expected release

The Stranger Things Season 5 filming will begin in May, as revealed by Noah Schnapp who plays the role of Will Byers in the series. This means that the season might take another year to release. Hence, we can speculate Stranger Things Season 4 trailer as early as Q1 2024. While writers of Stranger Things recently confirmed that they have started working on the script, the hype of the final season of this superhit Netflix series must be the reason behind the extended finishing touches being given to the script. So, while Stranger Things Season 4 came out in July 2022, it might be more than a 2-year-long wait before we see the next adventure come out.

Stranger Things Season 5 plot/ story: what to expect

As mentioned, Stranger Things Season 5 will act as the conclusion of the stories of Eleven, Max Mayfield, Billy Hargrove, Mike Wheeler, and other main characters of the Netflix Web series. And, we have somewhat of an idea that Season 5 could continue from where Season 4 left off, which is contrary to what previous seasons have been about. This could be an attempt by the creators to merge the two seasons and create even bigger hype as fans wait eagerly, binge-watching Stranger Things Season 4, to get ready for the next and last one. It has also been revealed that the episodes might be shorter in Season 5, apart from a super-extended final episode.

Stranger Things season 5 plot

Moving on, executive producer Shawn Levy told E!News that the final season of Stranger Things “will definitely be more Hawkins-centric.” Then, the Duffer Brothers went to TVLine and confirmed a “time jump” in this season. They also confirmed in a podcast, “For the first time ever, we don’t wrap things up at the end of [season 4]. Characters are already going to be in action, they’re already going to have a goal and a drive, and I think that’s going to carve out at least a couple of hours and make this season feel really different. I’m sure the wrap-up will be a lot longer.” Further, suggesting that Eddie’s death and Max’s coma will play a big role in shaping the story of Season 5, Matt revealed that a recall to Season 1 is expected.

Stranger Things Season 5 episodes

Stranger Things Season 5 might comprise 8-9 episodes. These are mere speculations as nothing is confirmed yet, so take the details with a pinch of salt.

In terms of what has been definitively confirmed, the title for the first episode is out. Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 1 will be called “Chapter One: The Crawl”, as confirmed by the creators on November 6, 2022, celebrated as Stranger Things Day by the show’s fans. What that actually means is anyone’s guess right now, but experts have taken to social media to suggest that “The Crawl” might mean that the characters will spend most of their screen time in the Upside Down as they take on Vecna before the villain is able to trouble Hawkins more. This is also because Season 4 ended with everyone in the Upside Down as monsters come into the space before it cuts off. Fans are expecting the final season to start with a bang, expectedly.

Stranger Things Season 5 cast

Stranger Things Season 5 cast

Any new cast or character, you ask? Highly unlikely, says Matt Duffer, creator, director, and executive producer of the hit series. Duffer has confirmed that Stranger Things Season 5 will focus on the original characters as fans will only be able to see them on screen for 8 more episodes. Further, it is believed that the addition of new characters will not provide them with the depth to take on personalities as the showrunners struggle to find the perfect conclusion to the sci-fi storyline. Given there were two new, now popular characters, Vecna and Eddie Munson, introduced in Season 4, expect the story to carry on with them and the OG cast as we enter the final season.

Stranger Things Season 5 Cast 

Sadie Sink, the cast member, recently told The Today Show, “Spoiler-free, just with the way my character ended in season 4, I have no idea what is going to happen. But I’ll be there.” Playing the role of Max since the age of 14 years, she added, “It’s going to be awful. It’s going to be horrible. These kids, this entire cast and crew, it’s family. People say that all the time, but I genuinely mean it.”

And, finally, Noah Schnapp sat with Vogue last year; “2023 is the year of Stranger Things for me. We’re filming the final season. There’s a lot in store for Will. It ties back to where it begins, full circle,” he said.