Is There a Secret Ninth Episode of 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Coming Soon? Here's Why Fans Think So

If you’ve been on the internet much this week then you’ve lightly seen countless references to a viral theory Stranger Things fans are calling “Conformity Gate.”

This theory presents a bunch of perceived clues in the fifth season of Stranger Things, but especially the finale, that hint at a secret, different finale coming on January 7, one that would reveal Vecna actually won and the extensive epilogue is all fake.

Keep reading to find out more…

Here are the clues and moments people are pointing out:

• Lucas looking at the camera when he says he doesn’t believe in coincidences anymore.
• During the graduation scene, people in the audience are all sitting in a way fans think is eerily similar to Henry Creel’s hand-over-hand stance. Several people also have haircuts similar to Henry’s.
• A few other perceived fourth-wall breaks, like Will when he exits Mike’s basement at the very end of the finale.
• Someone holding up a seemingly blank poster in the graduation crowd.
• A dial that appears to be a different color in one scene versus a later one.
• Vickie and Suzie not being mentioned in the epilogue because Vecna wouldn’t know about them.
• A line-up of the Dungeons & Dragons books with letters spelling out “XALIE” or “X a lie,” leading to fans thinking it means Dimension X/Vecna’s Abyss zone is a fake out (they did not line up that way in the episode, but they do in a photo that was shared by Noah Schnapp on Instagram).
• A Whatzit? board game in the background of a couple of scenes, believed to be referencing Mr. Whatsit.

If this perceived ninth episode were to drop, fans think it will come out on January 7, probably at 8pm ET when the other episodes debuted. Because January 7 is the start of Orthodox Christmas, fans also think it lines up with the previous volumes and finale releasing on holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

But it should be noted that there is no concrete evidence whatsoever that this rumor is true. The cast and crew have all given finale/exit interviews and Netflix even went big and ran the series finale in theaters. It’s hard to believe they would have done that if another episode was coming, even a secret one.

Fans have also been pointing to a teaser Netflix shared about “what’s next” for the streamer in 2026 that indicates a big announcement coming on January 7. The teaser includes little easter eggs referencing Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Piece, and more, all of which are returning with new seasons in 2026.

The video also shows Stranger Things posters at the beginning, indicating more Stranger Things is coming. However, that has already been confirmed. A making-of documentary for the series finale will be released on January 12 and the first spinoff series, the animated Tales from ’85, is also expected out in 2026.

The Duffer brothers are also working on a live-action spinoff and there was a hint in the finale.

In reality, that January 7 announcement will probably be Netflix launching a calendar and some behind-the-scenes scoop on some of its biggest upcoming 2026 shows and movies.

It is also worth noting that in December, before the finale dropped, fans tried to get a Change.org petition going asking for Netflix to release supposed “unseen footage.”

Randy Havens, who plays Mr. Clarke on the show, debunked this rumor, saying, “There’s no secret Snyder Cut of the show, please don’t believe everything some random a** tells you on the internet.”

While the finale has mostly been well-received by the general public, a lot of fans in online circles have been left feeling disappointed by the ending, and the “Conformity Gate” theory seems to stem from them trying to cope with that feeling.

But then again, who knows? Maybe there is a secret finale coming on January 7. Stranger things have happened.