Stranger Things is the hit sci-fi and suspense show on the streaming platform Netflix that debuted in mid-2016, focusing on a group of teenage friends battling a series of mysterious disappearances and murders in the small fictional town of Hawkins.

Filming for Stranger Things Season 5 will stretch over a full year

It’s one of the most popular dramas on screen right now, but it will conclude with Season 5.

Stranger Things fans haven’t seen new episodes since the two-part fourth season dropped on Netflix between late May and early July 2022. Those were 9 long episodes that developed a huge part of the story, setting the stage for what’s to come in the fifth and final season, which has been filming since last January.

The release of Stranger Things Season 5 is slated for 2025, and while initial reports suggested a launch sometime in the early months of next year, things seem to be changing according to the latest production update. In a recent interview, a cast member revealed information that will surely disappoint many viewers of the hit show.

It’s been almost two years since fans last saw new episodes of Stranger Things, and it’s very likely they’ll have to wait longer than expected. Season 5 began filming in January 2024 after a long production hiatus last year. Some viewers thought they’d soon see their favorites again, but that’s not the case according to the disappointing update from star Linda Hamilton.

Stranger Things Season 5 could premiere in late 2025 or early 2026

Linda Hamilton will play a key character in Stranger Things Season 5. The actress admitted in an interview with Business Insider that the filming of the upcoming episodes will take a full year, which implies a delay in the release of the fifth installment, due to the complex post-production phase required to deliver a quality piece of work.

With this in mind, Stranger Things Season 5 could hit Netflix in late 2025 or at the latest, early 2026, almost four years after the fourth season’s release. The actress expressed her happiness to be part of the series and mentioned she has “a year of filming” ahead, also noting that such a lengthy filming process is an “unheard-of luxury” these days. Meanwhile, fans have expressed their frustration, saying they’re tired of waiting and that this situation is no fun at all.