The beloved Netflix original “Stranger Things” comes to an end with its final season, releasing in November and December.
Season five, the most anticipated season of the show, closes out the series. After years of patience, the season is set to release in three volumes: volume one, containing four episodes, releasing Nov. 26; volume two, with three episodes, releasing Dec. 25; and the finale on Dec. 31 with all releasing at 5 p.m.
Netflix tries to keep up with competitors by not releasing every episode of a series in a single day. “Stranger Things” is the perfect show to test the strategy, as it was first tested during the two-volume season four due to the fanbase. Fans have high expectations for the show, which intensifies the series’ popularity. By doing this, it allows fans to directly engage with the show, creating theories and hopes for the upcoming episodes yet to be released.
For season five, while the release schedule differs from past seasons, the length of each episode hasn’t been a concern for fans. According to a leak on several social media platforms like X, Instagram and Reddit, the shortest episodes, three and four, are between one hour and 55 minutes and two hours and five minutes long. The longest, the finale, is projected to run at least three hours. While it is not confirmed, this is no surprise to fans, given the increased episode length as the series has crept closer to season five.
“We’re basically making eight movies,” says actress Maya Hawk, who portrays Robin Buckley, talking about the length of episodes in season five during filming.
“We grew up on it, we grew up with each other, our audience grew up watching us,” Sadie Sink, who portrays Max Mayfield, says in an interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Sink was added to the cast during season two.
Like many of the actors and actresses, fans have grown up with the show, with season one releasing in 2016. Millie Bobby Brown and actors alike began filming between 10 and 15 years old. Nearly nine years later, the series comes to an end, leaving behind memories and life-changing moments from the show.
“It’s the literal never-ending story, but it’s now ending,” actor Gaten Matarazzo adds.
