Stranger Things Season 5 Is Coming Early: Some Episodes Drop Ahead of Schedule
Netflix is opening the gates early: an exclusive first look at Stranger Things Season 5 will drop at a special event before the final season hits streaming, giving fans an early peek at Hawkins’ last stand.
Netflix is dangling an early treat for Stranger Things diehards: a sneak peek at Season 5 before the final run actually starts streaming. Yep, they are showing the first five minutes. Here is what to expect, when it drops, and how the rest of the season is rolling out.
First look, sooner than expected
The preview premieres during a global virtual watch party on Thursday, November 7 at 1:00 AM GMT (that lines up with 12:00 PM AEDT). It is a live-streamed red carpet event with cast interviews, surprise drop-ins, and the early opening of Season 5. You do have to RSVP, and Netflix wants you to share your favorite Stranger Things memory when you register. Classic.
- Early preview: First five minutes of Season 5, shown during Netflix's global watch party on Nov 7 at 1:00 AM GMT / 12:00 PM AEDT, streamed live from the red carpet with cast chats, surprises, and a sneak peek beyond the opener.
- Release plan: The fifth and final season lands in three parts — four episodes on Nov 26, three on Dec 25, and the finale on Dec 31.
- Runtimes: Netflix says the first four episodes run between 54 minutes and 1 hour 23 minutes.
- RSVP note: You have to sign up for the virtual premiere and submit a favorite Stranger Things memory during registration.
- Episode titles: The Crawl, The Vanishing of..., The Turnbow Trap, Sorcerer, Shock Jock, Escape from Camazotz, The Bridge, The Rightside Up.
Where Season 5 picks up
Quick refresher: set in the 1980s, the series follows the Hawkins crew as they deal with shady experiments and monsters from the Upside Down. Season 4 ended with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) surviving a showdown with Eleven and leaving Max (Sadie Sink) in brutal shape. The final season is positioned as the ultimate Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) vs. Vecna face-off.
The gap explained (and the promise)
It has been three years since Season 4, thanks to production delays. The Duffer Brothers keep saying the wait will be worth it.
"Worth the wait."
One small curveball: Netflix rarely hands out cold opens this early, so dropping five minutes ahead of launch is a flex — and a sign they know exactly how much hype this last lap already has.