Netflix has announced that the eagerly awaited fifth and final season of Stranger Things won’t hit screens until 2025. This delay comes after the recent Next On Netflix presentation unveiled a lineup of upcoming movies and TV shows for 2024, omitting the penultimate season of Stranger Things. The main reasons cited for the delay are the Hollywood writer and actors’ strikes in 2023 and the extensive post-production VFX work needed for the series. Despite production kicking off earlier this month for the final season, fans will have to endure a three-year gap between Seasons 4 and 5.
While specific release dates are still under wraps, Netflix’s forthcoming lineup features the second season of The Night Agent, the conclusive sixth season of Cobra Kai, the fourth season of Emily in Paris, the fourth season of Outer Banks, and the second chapter of Ryan Murphy’s true-crime anthology series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Fans eagerly anticipating Stranger Things Season 5 can expect a return to the show’s roots, as co-creator Matt Duffer has expressed a desire for the final episodes to recapture the essence of the first season. He described Season 5 as akin to “season one on steroids,” emphasizing a larger scale while bringing the characters back together in Hawkins and echoing the dynamics of the initial season. Despite hints at potential spin-offs, Duffer confirmed that the stories of Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, and Hopper will conclude in Season 5.
Following the conclusion of Stranger Things, the franchise will expand into both live-action and animated spin-offs. The Duffer brothers have expressed excitement about the animated spin-off, envisioning it in the style of the Saturday morning cartoons they grew up watching. They praised the work of Eric Robles and his team, promising incredible scripts and artwork to come.
In addition to the delay of Stranger Things, other Netflix favorites are also facing setbacks. Wednesday, slated to begin production for its second season in late April, and the live-action One Piece adaptation, which has yet to commence filming for its second season, are among those affected. Despite the delays, the fifth season of Stranger Things is currently in production, offering fans hope for an exciting conclusion to the beloved series.
