Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s most popular original series since its debut in 2016. The sci-fi horror drama set in the 1980s follows a group of kids in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana as they encounter supernatural forces and secret government experiments. With its heavy dose of nostalgia, mystery, and endearing young cast, Stranger Things has amassed a huge global fanbase eager for more adventures in the Upside Down.
After three wildly successful seasons, fans are now looking ahead and wondering if there will be a Stranger Things season 5 renewal. Let’s examine what we know so far about the possibility of a fifth season for the hit show.
Stranger Things Renewal Status
Netflix has yet to officially announce if Stranger Things will return for season 5. However, strong evidence points towards a renewal being very likely.
Stranger Things has been one of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever since its first season debuted. According to Netflix, over 64 million households streamed season 3 within the first month of its release in 2019. That breaks down to 40.7 million household accounts that finished the entire season in the first four days.
In a letter to shareholders, Netflix said Stranger Things 3 was “the most watched season to date.” The show’s popularity has continued growing with each successive season. Season 4 marked the first time Netflix had split a season of Stranger Things into two parts.
Volume 1 debuted on May 27, 2022 and drew in 287 million hours viewed within the first weekend. Volume 2 followed quickly on July 1, 2022 and amassed 335 million hours viewed that opening weekend. Within the first four weeks of release, Stranger Things 4 had racked up over 1.15 billion hours viewed.
The series also dominates social media whenever a new season drops, routinely trending #1 worldwide on Twitter for several days.
Given the record viewership and buzz Stranger Things continues to generate, a renewal for at least one more season seems inevitable. The fan demand is clearly there and Netflix has found a lucrative franchise with global appeal.
What the Creators Have Said
Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, known as The Duffer Brothers, have dropped several hints that they are not done with the series yet.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2022, Matt Duffer said regarding season 4: “We thought Season 4 was going to be the end. We said, ‘Season 4 is going to be the end.’ But as we started to see the end coming together, we realized what we were going to do required more time in order for it to reach the level of insanity that we wanted.”
Ross Duffer added: “Seven years is a long time. We want it to feel like a conclusion, while also feeling like new beginnings are teed up.”
The Duffer Brothers have stated they envision Stranger Things as a four or five season story. Their comments point towards a fifth and likely final season being in the cards. They want to properly build towards an epic, satisfying finale. Spreading the conclusion over two seasons allows them to raise the stakes and deliver on the scale they desire.
Producer Shawn Levy also hinted at a fifth season, telling SFX magazine after season 4 released:
“The truth is we are definitely going four seasons and there’s very much the possibility of a fifth. Beyond that, it becomes I think very unlikely.”
While not outright confirmed yet, the signs from the creators imply they know how Stranger Things will end and need one more season to get there properly.
What Might Happen in Season 5
If Stranger Things is renewed for season 5, what can fans expect from the finale?
The ending of season 4 set up several plot threads likely to drive the events and stakes next season. These include:
The Battle Against Vecna
Season 4 concluded with the villainous Vecna still alive and a threat. After Eleven appeared to destroy him in the Upside Down, it was revealed Vecna had survived.
With four gates now open to the Upside Down in Hawkins, Vecna’s plan to merge the two worlds seems primed to kick into overdrive. Eleven and her friends will need to find a way to stop him for good before he can enact his apocalyptic vision. Their greatest battle yet awaits.
Hopper and Eleven Reunited
A highlight of season 4 was Chief Hopper escaping from the Russian prison and making his way back to Hawkins. This allowed him to reunite with Eleven in the emotional climax.
With Eleven regaining her powers and now living under Hopper’s care again, season 5 can explore their father-daughter relationship as Eleven prepares for the fight ahead. Their connection could be a vital source of strength.
The Byers’ New Location
The Byers family and Eleven moved away from Hawkins at the end of season 4 after all the traumatic events. Their new location in California will likely factor prominently next season.
We may see how characters like Eleven, Will, and Jonathan adapt to a new environment away from their friends. But given the danger building in Hawkins, they could get drawn back into the fray.
| Character | Status at End of Season 4 | What’s Next in Season 5? |
|---|---|---|
| Eleven | Regained powers, defeated Vecna temporarily, moved to California with Byers | Prepare for final showdown with Vecna, relationship with Hopper, life in new home? |
| Mike | Reunited with Eleven, but heartbroken she moved away | Long-distance relationship with Eleven? Helping friends in Hawkins? |
| Will | Sensed Vecna’s survival, moved to California | Use senses to detect threats? Struggles of life in new place? |
| Max | In coma after nearly being killed by Vecna | Will she recover? If so, can she help friends defeat Vecna? |
| Lucas | Determined to take down Vecna | Fight looming threats while worrying about Max |
| Dustin | Hero of Hawkins, uncovered clues about Vecna | Help lead Hawkins’ resistance efforts with smarts |
| Steve | Fan-favorite babysitter, fought demobats | Use experience to help the kids however he can |
New Threats From the Upside Down
The Upside Down still holds many mysteries and horrors. With portals opening all over Hawkins now, season 5 could introduce new threats leaking out and wreaking havoc.
Imagine demons, mutated creatures, and powerful entities from that dimension invading Hawkins just as Vecna prepares his master plan. Our heroes would have to battle through the Upside Down’s worst to stop doomsday and seal the breaches.
The Duffer Brothers and writers have plenty of creative runway to raise both the supernatural stakes and emotional stakes for the characters. They’ve hinted at wanting to go all out for a spectacular series finale worthy of the show’s legacy.
Some other possible story angles include the government conspiracy around Hawkins Lab, Dr. Brenner’s connection to Eleven, and the fan theory that Will could be gay given hints dropped in season 4. But defeating Vecna and his emerging army will likely drive the bulk of the narrative next season.
When Could Season 5 Premiere?
Assuming Stranger Things season 5 gets confirmed, when can viewers expect to see it?
There was nearly a three-year gap between seasons 3 and 4, delayed partly due to COVID-19 pandemic complications. But the show’s producers are hopeful the final season could arrive more quickly this time.
Producer Shawn Levy told SFX magazine: “I’ll just say the gap should be quite a bit shorter this time, because we already have an established writing team and production team. We can hit the ground running in a way that we didn’t in season 4, because of that huge pandemic hiatus.”
Levy estimated we could get Stranger Things season 5 as soon as late 2023 or early 2024.
The Duffer Brothers will likely want to strike while excitement around the series is red hot. Debuting new episodes in summer 2024 would make sense. This would avoid making fans wait too long to see how the story wraps up.
Netflix will probably greenlight season 5 very soon, allowing the writers to dive right into crafting the finale. The epic scale planned implies filming could take a good while, but a 2024 release date is feasible.
Until official word comes, followers will be speculating away at the mysteries still to be solved in Hawkins, Indiana. The sprawling cast of characters fans have come to love now face their greatest challenge yet against Vecna’s forces of evil.
Conclusion
Although Netflix has yet to confirm Stranger Things season 5, strong evidence suggests a final installment is imminent. The show continues breaking viewership records and ending on a cliffhanger begging for resolution.
Comments from the creators make it clear they have more story to tell and plan to make the ending as epic as fans deserve. Once announced, season 5 can offer closure on this captivating sci-fi saga by defeating Vecna and exploring fan-favorite relationships.
Millions of passionate fans await the day they can escape back to the nostalgic 1980s world of Stranger Things one last time. All signs point to more supernatural thrills, unforgettable moments, and you-know-who getting the send-off they deserve when Hawkins’ final chapter arrives.