On the night of January 7, 2026, Netflix users tried to watch a new episode of Stranger Things. They believed a secret ninth episode of season five was about to

Ahead of the finale, the Stranger Things fandom was brewing with speculation as to how the long-running series would conclude. The final episode of "Stranger Things" premieres New Year's Eve on Netflix and in select movie theaters.

"Stranger Things" has come to an end. "Marty Supreme" features some breakout stars. And as we enter 2026, let's look back on the best of 2025.

Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ARE AHEAD for the series finale of Stranger Things, available streaming with a Netflix subscription now.

Nicknamed 'Conformity Gate,' the conspiracy theory rabbit hole goes deep but ultimately leads nowhere.

The final episode of Stranger Things will be released on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 8 pm ET. This global drop means viewers across different regions will see the finale at different local times.

The season stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp.

Season 5 of Stranger Things has one volume remaining, with Volume 3, which serves as the series finale, arriving tonight, Wednesday, Dec. 31, New Year's Eve. All of these episodes premiere at unusual times, compared to the previous seasons, landing on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT .

The Making of Stranger Things 5' may not answer all your burning questions, but it looks like an affectionate, emotional ride.