Stranger Things Season 5 Finale: Theaters or Netflix? Exact Release Time and How to Watch
Ring in the new year in the Upside Down: the Stranger Things Season 5 finale drops worldwide December 31, 2025 at 5 PM PT, premiering simultaneously on Netflix and in select theaters with special screenings rolling out as it goes live.
Netflix is turning the Stranger Things goodbye into a full-on New Year’s event. Yes, the series finale is dropping on Netflix and playing in actual movie theaters at the exact same time. If you have been waiting to ride this thing out with a crowd, they just handed you the perfect excuse.
How to watch the Stranger Things Season 5 finale
The last episode, titled 'The Rightside Up', goes live Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET on Netflix. At that same moment, fan screenings kick off in select theaters.
The fan screenings
For the first time ever for this show, Netflix is hosting fan screenings in over 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada, starting December 31 at 5:00 PM PT. The episode runs 2 hours and 8 minutes, so plan your snacks and your bathroom break accordingly.
Tickets are being handled through Netflix at stfinale.com. One quirk worth flagging: the reservation price you pay up front is not the cost of your ticket. That amount turns into a concession credit you can spend at the theater. In other words, you are essentially preloading your snack tab.
'We are beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters - it is something we have dreamed about for years, and we are so grateful to Ted, Bella, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen. 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 b*tchin - way to celebrate the end of this adventure. Buy your tickets, and do not forget to stock up on snacks for the final journey into the Upside Down.'
- The Duffer Brothers, to Netflix’s Tudum
When it hits where you live
Netflix says this is a simultaneous global drop. Here are the local times that lines up to. If your app shows a minute or two different, blame time zones, not me.
- US - Hawaii (HST): Dec 31, 3:00 pm
- US - Alaska (AKST): Dec 31, 4:00 pm
- US - Pacific (PST): Dec 31, 5:00 pm
- US - Mountain (MST): Dec 31, 6:00 pm
- US - Central (CST): Dec 31, 7:00 pm
- US - Eastern (EST): Dec 31, 8:00 pm
- Canada (PST): Dec 31, 5:00 pm
- Mexico (CST): Dec 31, 7:00 pm
- Brazil (BRT): Dec 31, 10:00 pm
- United Kingdom (GMT): Jan 1, 1:00 am
- Europe (CET): Jan 1, 2:00 am
- Europe (EET): Jan 1, 3:00 am
- South Africa (SAST): Jan 1, 3:00 am
- Saudi Arabia (AST): Jan 1, 4:00 am
- India (IST): Jan 1, 6:30 am
- Philippines (PHST): Jan 1, 9:00 am
- Hong Kong (HKT): Jan 1, 9:00 am
- Japan (JST): Jan 1, 10:00 am
- Australia (AEDT): Jan 1, 12:00 pm
- New Zealand (NZDT): Jan 1, 2:00 pm
Where the story stands
Season 5 has been rolling out in chunks. Vol. 1 landed November 26 with four episodes, Vol. 2 dropped today, December 25, with three more, and now we are down to the finale on December 31. The season has Hawkins reeling from the Rifts and the crew laser-focused on taking out Vecna. The Duffers have been promising an emotional final chapter with big reveals, and based on how messy things have gotten in the Upside Down, that tracks.
So: comfy couch and instant streaming, or big screen with a theater full of fans? Either way, the endgame is locked for December 31 at 5:00 PM PT. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 are already streaming if you need to catch up before the last ride.