Stranger Things Season 5 Release Strategy Released By Netflix And... Hmmm...
If you’ve ever been hooked on a tentpole Netflix series, the chances are you’re already familiar with the concept of the platform’s split seasons.
For the past few years, the streaming giant has been releasing hit shows like Bridgerton, Emily In Paris and You in two batches one month apart, in an apparent bid to hold onto subscribers for longer.
But for the upcoming Stranger Things finale, they’re taking this one step further.
The fifth and final season of the award-winning sci-fi series has been a long time coming, and on Sunday, Netflix finally revealed when fans will be able to watch the last instalments.
“Volume one” of season five will debut on Wednesday 26 November, with the second batch coming just under a month later, on Christmas Day.
But that’s not all – the actual finale isn’t due to arrive until a week after that, premiering on New Year’s Eve at 5pm Pacific time (which will be just as the clock strikes midnight at the arrival of 2026 here in the UK).
The fight isn’t over yet. Get ready for the epic series finale of Stranger Things.
— Netflix (@netflix) June 1, 2025
Volume 1: November 26, 5pm PT*
Volume 2: Christmas, 5pm PT*
The Finale: New Year's Eve, 5pm PT*
*releasing worldwide all at once, date may vary based on your local timezone #TUDUMpic.twitter.com/nBcx9Ast9x
And Netflix’s decision to split Stranger Things into three separate parts has certainly raised eyebrows over on X…
taking over 3 years to release a new season and then releasing it in 3 parts. this is actually ridiculous https://t.co/RhJqy1CZWQ
— v (@R1CHONNES) June 1, 2025
3 parts pic.twitter.com/kRvKKwPx1ihttps://t.co/82GJ4xbI2i
— . (@originaixsin) June 1, 2025
Ah yes, split into three parts during the bustiest times of the year. Exactly what everyone wants. https://t.co/Tp71Es88zd
— Gissane Sophia (@GissaneSophia) June 1, 2025
why does netflix always release eps in batches now dont piss me offff https://t.co/IJLs0FEX2H
— clar (@clarnetwork) June 1, 2025
What . . Are these dates https://t.co/dprcUFjJ2Z
— ???????????????????????????????? (@deadarbok) June 1, 2025
Netflix will pay for releasing Stranger Things at 1am UK time https://t.co/9bjErCsX1K
— chlo ♡ (@gelphiethegood) June 1, 2025
they dragging the fuck outta this show https://t.co/kyVMBKE8dC
— ???? (@lonenjoyer) June 1, 2025
waiting like 5 years for a show, and them dividing it into 3 parts????
— camila (@mirrorballcam) June 1, 2025
lmao its such a joke?? https://t.co/BIrEW8lepw
I don’t watch Stranger Things, but surely it’s insane to release the final ever episode on New Year’s Eve - literally midnight on New Year’s Eve in the UK! - when most people are a tad busy? Also, a month between the first two volumes & a week between the second & finale is wild https://t.co/R4g8SYePgA
— Stephanie Soteriou (@StephanieRiou) June 1, 2025
I’m a huge fan and was really disappointed it’s not on Halloween or Stranger Things day. It’s much more suited to spooky season
— Rachel Bayne (@rachelbayne) June 2, 2025
What if instead of it coming out in 3 parts it came out in 8 and each part came out a week after the last one https://t.co/Ap2vp5w7ij
— Theseus' Dream of the 90s (@daftgirlpunk) June 1, 2025
I need every single person who works for Netflix and this show imprisoned. I am absolutely fucking fuming https://t.co/MwoyFTpPMG
— The Twt Menace (@rjsmichonne2) June 1, 2025
“The fall” and it is fucking christmas https://t.co/Wd8hSCZ7dx
— HAN ⨂ (@hanlovesryan) June 1, 2025
I miss the days when Netflix would release a whole season so everyone would just stay up to finish it https://t.co/k6QC0ZzPmp
— ✫彡???????????????????????? ✫彡 (@m0rgans___) June 1, 2025
I’m excited to see the Stranger Things kids get their PhDs in the upcoming season. https://t.co/hQKaEkoItL
— Adam Tisdale (@revtizzy) June 1, 2025
Despite the polarising release strategy, it’s worth pointing out that many fans are excited for their final trip to Hawkins (even if they do need to do it in three parts)...
My plan for this summer is rewatch the series so that I’m ready for this! #StrangerThings5https://t.co/KU5Zdyp9q1
— Steph2Def (@Steph2Def) June 1, 2025
I need it to be November already???????????? https://t.co/9qBiBrhvWF
— 로템✡︎????️???? (@little_woobear) June 1, 2025
no one bother me November 26, Christmas, New Year’s Eve https://t.co/czaYKpqxuz
— lewy. (@spcckyfucker) June 1, 2025
We will be there https://t.co/KYee6tinG5
— ໊ (@PapiGing) June 1, 2025
literally made my whole day. https://t.co/Dx5dbNCiNl
— camila (@rcadsbetween) June 1, 2025
The most recent season of Stranger Things premiered in 2022, with the first half of the episodes dropping in May and the second coming in July.
Stranger Things’ fourth was notable as it led to a resurgence in popularity for Kate Bush’s hit Running Up That Hill, which topped the UK singles chart almost 40 years after it was first released.
The first four seasons of Stranger Things are available to stream now on Netflix ahead of the fifth run premiering at the end of 2025.