‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Schedule: When Do Episodes Come Out?

Stranger Things Season 5 is being released in three volumes on November 26, December 25, and December 31.
Select theaters will be showing the final episode on December 31.
Keep reading to find out exactly when the episodes drop, and their run times.

It's been 84 years, but Stranger Things is finally back for Season 5. Yes, the cast has aged well beyond their characters (it's fine, just ignore how old everyone looks!) and yes we barely remember what's even happening (if you need a top notes recap, head this way), but the point is: WE'RE SO BACK.

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things has been shrouded in mystery, but we know the show takes place in Hawkins, the core characters have reunited, and their mission is pretty simple: find and kill Vecna before he destroys the world. Other than that, anything could happen.

Just like the show's fourth season, Stranger Things season 5 is dropping in multiple installments—this time, they're all conveniently planned for when everyone should, ideally, be off work/school and celebrating holidays with friends and family. Details ahead!

stranger things: season 5. (l to r) gaten matarazzo as dustin henderson, finn wolfhard as mike wheeler, caleb mclaughlin as lucas sinclair, and noah schnapp as will byers in stranger things: season 5. cr. courtesy of netflix © 2025

Courtesy of Netflix

When does Stranger Things 5 premiere?

Volume 1 dropped on November 26 at 8:00 pm ET with episodes 1-4.

When Will Volume 2 of Stranger Things 5 Drop?

Netflix clearly wants fans to watch Stranger Things Season 5 throughout the holiday season, because after Volume 1 drops right in time for Thanksgiving, Volume 2 (episodes 5-7) drops on Christmas Day, and then The Finale (episode 8) drops one week later on New Year's Eve.

Here's the complete schedule:

Volume 1: November 26, 2025 @ 8:00 pm ET (Ep 1-4)
Volume 2: December 25, 2025 @ 8:00 pm ET (Ep 5-7)
The Finale: December 31, 2025 @ 8:00 pm ET (Ep 8)

You Can Watch The Stranger Things 5 Finale in Theaters

Limited screenings of Stranger Things Season 5's final episode will play in over 350 theaters throughout the US and Canada. The screenings will take place at the exact same time as the Netflix global premiere (December 31 at 8:00 pm ET) and will run through January 1. In other words, you have two days to watch the finale in theaters if you want to!

Buy Tickets to 'Stranger Things 5: The Finale'

$5fandango.com

"We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to Ted, Bela, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen," the Duffers told Tudum. "Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure."

How Long Are the Stranger Things 5 Episodes?

The Duffers revealed the first batch of episode titles and partial runtimes on Instagram back in October, and for the most part they clock in at around an hour. With the exception of Chapter Four: Sorcerer which is basically movie-length at 1 hour and 23 minutes, and the final chapter which is 2 hours and 8 minutes. They later revealed the second batch of episode runtimes in December 22.