‘Stranger Things 5’ Episodes Are Going to Be Extra Long, New Rumors Claim
The final season of Stranger Things is almost here, and fans are getting ready for a big conclusion. Netflix will release season five in three parts. The first four episodes will drop on November 26, followed by three more on December 25, and the series finale will air on December 31. The show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, are back producing alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.
Most of the main cast returns, including Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson, Brett Gelman, Cara Buono, and Jamie Campbell Bower.
Amybeth McNulty, who appeared as a guest in season four, is now a main cast member. The season also introduces Linda Hamilton.
The story takes place in the fall of 1987, a year after season four. The group is trying to stop Vecna after the Rifts opened in Hawkins. Their mission becomes harder when the military arrives and begins hunting Eleven. As the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance approaches, the friends face a dangerous final threat.
Every battle has led to this 💥 the Stranger Things 5 teaser is HERE! pic.twitter.com/dSYwnfgsER
— sƃuᴉɥʇ ɹǝƃuɐɹʇs (@Stranger_Things) July 16, 2025
According to Puck News, each episode of season five reportedly cost between $50 million and $60 million to produce. The episodes are also unusually long, ranging from 90 minutes to two hours.
This news follows previous hints from the cast about extended runtimes. Maya Hawke said season five will feel like “basically eight movies” with “very long” episodes, while Finn Wolfhard added that some episodes will be “definitely film-length.”
There was some earlier confusion, as one of the Duffer Brothers mentioned on Instagram that not all episodes are as long as a full movie. Still, fans can expect a dramatic and intense ending to the series.
Personally, I think the long episodes are exciting because they give the creators more time to wrap up the story properly. It sounds like a cinematic experience for fans of the show. What do you think about these extended runtimes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
