As the leaves fall and holiday lights start flickering, Stranger Things fans have a new reason to gather around their screens. Netflix is launching the first part of Season 5, Volume 1, on November 26, 2025, at 5 PM PT. The timing couldn’t be more perfect—just as families come together, Hawkins invites us back into its eerie, monster-filled streets.
Volume 1 includes the first four chapters, starting with "Chapter One: The Crawl," penned by the Duffer Brothers themselves. It promises to set the tone for the season, catapulting viewers straight into the Upside Down while teasing the emotional stakes that have always been at the heart of the series. The following episodes include "Chapter Two", "Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap" written by Frank Darabont and Caitlin Schneiderhan, and "Chapter Four: Sorcerer".
Each episode is crafted to gradually build tension, blending supernatural thrills with intimate character moments. We can expect encounters with familiar foes, clever callbacks to early seasons, and the kind of suspense that makes you simultaneously scream at your screen and clutch your loved ones. If you thought Hawkins had calmed down after the events of Season 4, Volume 1 is here to prove you wrong, reintroducing the town’s dangerous charm while setting the stage for an unforgettable climax.
Season 5 Release Structure:
- The season is split into three parts: Volume 1, Volume 2, and the finale.
Volume 1 (Out Now) – Released 26th November (27th November in the UK)
- Chapter One: The Crawl
- Chapter Two: The Vanishing of…
- Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap
- Chapter Four: Sorcerer
Volume 2 – 25th December (26th December in the UK)
- Chapter Five: Shock Jock
- Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz
- Chapter Seven: The Bridge
Finale – 31st December (1st January in the UK)
- Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up
Release Times:
- Netflix is releasing Season 5 episodes at 1am GMT, not the usual 8am UK time. Equivalent times in other regions:
- 2am CET (Central Europe)
- 10am JST (Japan)
- 5pm PST (US)
- 8pm EST (US)
- 12pm AEDT (Australia)
Netflix also provides a full country-specific schedule for exact release times worldwide.
Volume 2: Christmas Surprises and Rising Stakes
Just when you think you’ve caught your breath, Netflix delivers Volume 2 on December 25, 2025, at 5 PM PT. There’s something undeniably fitting about opening gifts while simultaneously opening the next chapter of Hawkins’ story. Volume 2 features three critical episodes: "Chapter Five: Shock Jock" by Frank Darabont and Curtis Gwinn, "Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz", and "Chapter Seven: The Bridge" by the Duffer Brothers.
The holiday timing is pure genius. As viewers sip hot cocoa or sneak in some Christmas cookies, they’re thrown into a high-stakes narrative where emotions, friendships, and supernatural battles collide. The second volume raises the tension exponentially, deepening character arcs and pushing the main cast into situations that test their courage, resilience, and bonds.
Fans can also expect some nostalgic callbacks to earlier seasons, a hallmark of the series. Whether it’s a subtle reference to a previous monster encounter or a heartwarming nod to Hawkins’ earlier adventures, Volume 2 ensures that the past and present intertwine seamlessly. The pacing, suspense, and emotional resonance are calibrated to keep viewers engaged and invested, making the wait for the final episode almost unbearable.
The Grand Finale: Welcoming the New Year in Hawkins
As the year winds down, Stranger Things 5 promises a finale event on December 31, 2025, at 5 PM PT. "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up" is slated to be the culmination of everything the show has built over the past five seasons. With the Duffer Brothers at the helm, fans can expect epic battles, heartfelt resolutions, and perhaps even surprises that tie together long-running mysteries.
This is the episode where the stakes are at their highest. Hawkins, the Upside Down, and the lives of beloved characters intersect in ways that fans have theorized about for years. The finale will honor the series’ emotional core—friendship, bravery, and self-sacrifice—while delivering the supernatural spectacle viewers expect. The strategic scheduling also ensures a shared, almost ceremonial viewing experience as fans ring in the new year alongside Eleven, Mike, Max, and the gang.
As the series closes, the storytelling will highlight the cyclical nature of Stranger Things—returning to the themes, locations, and emotional beats that made the series a phenomenon. It’s a farewell that celebrates the journey as much as the destination, ensuring that audiences leave Hawkins with the satisfaction of closure, the thrill of adventure, and a deep sense of nostalgia.
Stranger Things 5 is shaping up to be a holiday-season television event, blending supernatural suspense, emotional resonance, and thoughtful callbacks to the series’ rich history. With a split release, meticulously planned episodes, and an unforgettable finale, the season invites fans to savor every moment. Whether watching alone, with friends, or sharing the experience with family, Hawkins promises one last journey that will be thrilling, emotional, and unmissable.
