Stranger Things season 5 release updates, cast, and everything we know so far

We have some not-so-great news to share about Stranger Things season 5. While Stranger Things season 4 was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like another delay might be happening for season 5. On May 6, 2023, the Duffer Brothers revealed production on Stranger Things season 5 will not begin until the WGA strike is over.

Stranger Things was officially the biggest Netflix show of 2022. Stranger Things season 4 was released in two parts during the summer of 2022, and since then, fans have been waiting for any big announcements from the Stranger Things team about the fifth season. Now that we’re a few weeks into 2023, we have some big updates about Stranger Things season 5 to share with fans.

It’s going to be a while until season 5 hits Netflix, but because there’s so much information flying around, we created this page for fans to revisit to find out the latest updates about the Stranger Things season 5, cast, episodes, and more.

The latest update was made on Saturday, May 6, 2023. FanSided Entertainment’s Natalie Zamora and Bryce Olin contributed to this report.

Stranger Things season 5 delayed until the writers’ strike ends

What’s the latest on Stranger Things season 5? We have the scoop(s ahoy!).

• In May 2023, the Duffer Brothers shared on Twitter that Stranger Things season 5 will not start filming until the writers’ strike is over. Stranger Things season 5 filming was reported to be starting in May or June.

In the last few months, the timeline for filming Stranger Things season 5 has been revealed.

David Harbour, who stars as Jim Hopper in the Netflix series, just revealed when production starts on the new season, and it’s in line with what we’ve heard from other cast members, Noah Schnapp and Finn Wolfhard. Harbour told Collider he starts filming in June 2023, while Schnapp mentioned he starts filming in May.

Harbour also revealed that, after sharing when he starts filming season 5, he got a bunch of emails from Netflix telling him to zip it and stop talking about season 5.

Unfortunately, that June start date is up in the air with the writers’ strike, according to the Duffers.

• Noah Schnapp revealed he has the first three Stranger Things season 5 scripts 

Back in February, Schnapp revealed that he has read the first three Stranger Things season 5 scripts via Tik Tok. I’m guessing it’s safe to assume the rest of the cast has them, too, but that might not be right because they are all super busy with other projects right now.

• Joseph Quinn is “unlikely” to return as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 5 

We also learned it’s “unlikely” for Joseph Quinn to return as Eddie Munson in the new season. Quinn told the audience at a convention in Abu Dhabi that he thinks it’s “unlikely” that he would return.

• The Stranger Things Writers revealed that the new season will be like “if season 1 and season 4 had a baby. And that baby was injected with steroids” 

I don’t even know what to say about this one.

• The Stranger Things season 5 premiere is titled “The Crawl” 

The first episode of Stranger Things 5 is titled “The Crawl.” Netflix announced the news on Stranger Things Day last year. Hopefully, we’ll get more episodes soon!

• The Stranger Things season 5 release date claims on social media are fake 

On every social platform, there is someone claiming to know the Stranger Things season 5 release date. Those release date claims are false.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 is the last season

Stranger Things season 5 is definitely happening. The only sad news is that it will mark the final season of the sci-fi phenomenon. In Feb. 2022, Netflix officially renewed the series for a fifth season, sharing a letter from the Duffer Brothers on social media. In the letter, the duo shared the exciting news about the Stranger Things season 4 release date, but also revealed the show is coming to an end. Check out the photo below.

David Harbour told Discussing Film that he knows it is time for Stranger Things to end.

What’s funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. That’s why I love the show. I think it’s a great show, even if I wasn’t in it. Now we’re almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end. But it is, of course, very bittersweet. You know, there’s a sadness there. But also, we’ve all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects. And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but it’s definitely time.

Stranger Things fans might not agree, but that’s what is happening.

Stranger Things season 4 letter / Netflix

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler and Noah Schnapp as Will Byers in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Is there Stranger Things season 5 release date yet?

As of May 2023, the Stranger Things season 5 release timeline is looking a little more clear, but no, we don’t know the release date for season 5 yet. There are lots of fake release dates online, so don’t get tricked!

So, let’s get into what we do know about the release date.

We already know that the wait between season 4 and season 5 will be shorter than the gap between season 3 and season 4. That’s what the Duffers told Variety:

“Don’t hold us to it, but the gap should be quite a bit shorter this time, due to the fact that we already have an initial outline, and we can’t imagine there will be another six-month forced hiatus.”

That’s good news. And, thanks to the stars of the show painting a more clear picture, we’re starting to figure out when Stranger Things season 5 is going to start filming this summer, according to Noah Schnapp. We know the writers have been hard at work on season 5 since about a month after the release of season 4 part 2. We have to assume that the outline is done, and we know from previous seasons the Duffers like to write as they go. We have to assume that will happen for season 5, as well.

In early March 2023, David Harbour just confirmed at Abu Dhabi Comic-Con that he starts filming in June 2023. He didn’t share the date yet, but filming begins this spring/summer. That’s great news, and it’s basically what Schnapp said earlier this year.

In a new video interview with GQ, Finn Wolfhard revealed he will be 22 years old when Stranger Things season 5 is released. That’s not great news. Wolfhard is currently 20 years old, and he will turn 21 in December 2023, which would mean Stranger Things season 5 is coming to Netflix in December 2024 at the earliest. We could see Netflix going for a Stranger Things season 5 release for the holidays, but that’s not the most ideal situation.

December 2024 is also about two and half years after season 4 dropped in May and July 2022. The Duffers said “the gap would be quite a bit shorter,” and that’s not really that much shorter, if the release date is late 2024.

There’s also the possibility that Wolfhard was speaking more generally than specifically when he was asked about the release date. He’d almost be 22 years old in the summer of 2024, which is when most people are expecting Stranger Things season 5 to be released.

Even David Harbour said he believes season 5 will begin filming sometime next year, telling GQ: “So it’d probably come out mid-2024, based on our track record.”

This hasn’t been confirmed by Netflix, but we’d assume Harbour has a pretty good guess.

Now, as of May 2023, we have to factor in the delay because of the writers’ strike. Here’s what the Duffers tweeted about production on season 5:

“Duffers here. Writing does not stop when filming begins. While we’re excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike. We hope a fair deal is reached soon so we can all get back to work. Until then — over and out. #wgastrong”

Until the AMPTP offers the writers a deal and meets their requests, Stranger Things season 5 will be delayed. We had a feeling the Duffers would not cross the picket line. They revealed in the past, that they are constantly writing and rewriting during the production schedule, and they’re not going to work until the AMPTP offers a deal.

There was some doubt if production on season 5 would take place. House of the Dragon and Rings of Power are still filming through the strike without showrunners and writers on set, according to reports. Stranger Things is a different animal, though. As the Duffers mentioned, when the AMPTP offers a “fair deal,” they’ll get to work on season 5.

For now, we’re expecting the Stranger Things season 5 release will likely be in the summer of 2024, but it’s possible we might have to wait a little longer for Stranger Things season 5. That’s definitely something we’re used to!

Stranger Things season 5 release prediction: Late summer 2024

Anything before summer 2024 is out of the question at this point. There’s going to be at least one year between the start of production on season 5, which is happening in May or June, and the release of the season. There’s simply too much that has to happen.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 plot

We have to imagine the plot of Stranger Things season 5 will revolve around the giant hole that was created in the center of Hawkins that is definitely linked to the Upside Down. The Duffers have already revealed that will be a big focus of the season.

Variety released an interview with Matt and Ross Duffers ahead of the Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 release, where they gave multiple plot teases about season 5. At this point in time, they do not know whether or not season 5 will be split into two parts like season 4 was, but they are aware of a few major plot points that will be explored.

For one, the Duffers say we will finally learn about the origins of the Upside Down come Stranger Things season 5, with them explaining:

“The only thing we don’t delve into in [season 4] volume 2 is Upside Down lore. We hint at it. I’m sure someone on Reddit will be able to maybe piece it together, but a lot of those answers for the Upside Down or that is really what the basis of season 5 is about.”

So we can expect the history of the Upside Down and all of its mysterious lore to be the main plot of season 5. I love it! Additionally, the creators revealed we will get answers in season 5 as to why the Upside Down is frozen in time on the date that Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) went missing. We find this out in Stranger Things season 4 volume 1, but it’s not explained.

In addition, Will is set to be a focal point of season 5. In an interview with Collider, here’s what Matt Duffer had to say:

“Will’s going to be a big part and focus, is really all I can say of Season 5, in his journey. We’re starting to see his coming of age, really. Which has been challenging for a number of reasons, some of which are supernatural. But you’re starting to see him come into his own.”

There are so many unanswered questions about season 5, and it all feels like we’ve been building to this moment for so long. We have to assume that Vecna still has a major role to play in Stranger Things season 5, although he was vanquished by Nancy, Eleven, and the gang in the fourth season.

We tried to answer a few more big questions about the season below.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Joe Keery as Steve Harrington in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 cast

We know most of the Stranger Things season 5 cast, and many have confirmed they will return for the fifth season. We shared the cast below:

• Milly Bobby Brown as Eleven
• David Harbour as Jim Hopper
• Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
• Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
• Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
• Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
• Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
• Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
• Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
• Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
• Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield
• Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
• Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
• Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
• Eduardo Franco as Argyle
• Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna
• Paul Reiser as Dr. Sam Owens

Throughout each season of the Netflix Original, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting some fantastic new characters, including Max, Bob (Sean Astin), Eddie, and more. Of course, we’ve also met a few new villains, like Billy (Dacre Montgomery) and Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), too. But what about in Stranger Things season 5?

Surprisingly, the Duffer Brothers have confirmed there won’t be any new characters in Stranger Things season 5! While discussing the upcoming season on the season 4 volume 2 after-show for Netflix Geeked, Matt Duffer promised they will not add new characters in the final installment. We’re sure fans will be relieved to learn this, as many feel that there are too many characters and storylines going on in the show by the end of season 4.

STRANGER THINGS. Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Is Max dead or alive in Stranger Things season 5?

The finale of Stranger Things season 4 shocked us all by killing off Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) and then soon bringing her back. At the end of the episode, she’s in the hospital in a coma. They don’t know when or if she will come back. The Duffers did confirm to Deadline that at the end of season 4 she is alive, but “brain dead, blind, and all of her bones are broken.” So unless something big happens between seasons, we’re assuming Max might still be in a coma when season 5 starts.

As for what Sadie Sink thinks, she doesn’t know what will happen for Max in season 5, but she told Vulture: “I think she’s at a place where she now really wants to fight.” At this time, we don’t know if Max will make it in the end, but we predict she will.

STRANGER THINGS. Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Will Joseph Quinn be in Stranger Things season 5?

A real death we have to deal with in Stranger Things season 4 is when Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) sacrifices himself to save the rest of the group while distracting the Demobats. The character is introduced in season 4 and instantly became a fan-favorite with viewers. People are now obsessed with Joseph Quinn (even Doja Cat!) and want him to return somehow in the final season.

At this time, it has not been confirmed by the Duffers whether or not Eddie could return in some capacity, but Quinn would love to come back if he was asked. While speaking to E! News, he said of the possibility:

“Me and Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) were discussing ways in which I could kind of [return] …maybe I’d be like a figment of Gaten’s imagination or something, like if there could be some kind of room for something like that, something a bit supernatural.”

There’s a popular theory going around that Eddie could come back as a vampire, with Dungeons & Dragons lore to back it up. Honestly, I’d think that’d be pretty cool. But could the Duffers fit that storyline in with everything else going on? We’ll have to wait and see.

Unfortunately, at Comic-Con in Abu Dhabi, Quinn also spoke about his involvement in Stranger Things season 5. According to Winter Is Coming, Quinn told the crowd, “I think it’s probably unlikely. That’s my honest answer.”

Yikes. That doesn’t sound good for a possible Eddie Munson appearance. There is a chance, obviously, that we could see a cameo appearance via flashback or memory or something like that, but that might happen way down the line. And, we know Quinn wouldn’t ruin that possibility by announcing it at a convention.

STRANGER THINGS (L to R) Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 time jump

Another thing we know about Stranger Things season 5 already is that it will likely feature a significant time jump. While speaking to TV Line, the Duffers explained that they had hoped they could have filmed seasons 4 and 5 back to back, but that wasn’t the case, explaining that there was “no feasible way to do that.”

The reason for a time jump could be because the child actors of Stranger Things are no longer children and it might be difficult to make them look like they’re still in high school. We’ll be sure to update you once we know for sure what this potential time jump in season 5 will look like.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Where does Stranger Things season 5 take place?

Stranger Things season 4 introduces new locations as we get to see Jim Hopper (David Harbour) living out in Russia as a prisoner, while Joyce (Winona Ryder), Will, Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) are getting used to their new home in Lenora Hills, California.

According to the Duffers, season 5 will see the main characters together again in Hawkins, Indiana, meaning the majority — if not all — of the upcoming season will take place where it all began. Oh, and you know we’re going back to the Upside Down. For sure, for sure.

STRANGER THINGS. (L to R) Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 episode count and lengths

Although it has not been officially confirmed, Stranger Things season 5 will likely be eight episodes.

The Stranger Things Writers tweeted out a picture of the storyboard they were using to outline season 5. It only consists of eight episodes, although we can’t see the full board. At this point, it looks like there’s going to be eight episodes.

A huge part of Stranger Things season 4 that people couldn’t stop talking about was the episode lengths. We basically got movies for each episode, and the finale runs at a whopping two hours and 19 minutes long. Hey, I’m not complaining! The more Stranger Things the better. But what about for season 5? The Duffers have already started discussing the episode lengths.

According to the show’s creators, the episodes in season 5 are not expected to be as long as the ones in season 4. However, the Stranger Things season 5 finale will clock in at over two hours. “We’re more likely to do what we did [with the season 4 finale], which is to just have a 2.5 hour episode,” Matt Duffer said about the series finale on the Happy Sad Confused.

STRANGER THINGS. Vecna Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Stranger Things season 5 premiere title

During Stranger Things Day on Nov. 6, 2022, Netflix officially shared the episode title for the season 5 premiere. Though fans were hoping for more news on the special day, we’ll take it! Stranger Things season 5 episode 1 will be titled “The Crawl.” Of course, people have been speculating what it means, with many hoping it could be a hint at Eddie’s return. We’ll have to wait and see.

STRANGER THINGS (L to R) Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Finn Wolfhard guessed what the Stranger Things spinoff is about

Even though Stranger Things is ending with season 5, that most likely won’t be the end of this universe. In the season 4 release date and season 5 renewal letter from the Duffer Brothers which you can see above, the creators also tease that, “There are still many more exciting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes.” Of course, this signals that spinoffs are coming. And we even got some details about one earlier this year.

In May 2022, the Duffers teased one spinoff idea they have, noting that only Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard knows what it’s about. They told Variety:

“We do have an idea for a spinoff that we’re super excited about … but we haven’t told anyone the idea yet, much less written it. We think everyone, including Netflix, will be surprised when they hear the concept, because it’s very, very different. But somehow Finn Wolfhard, who is one crazy smart kid, correctly guessed what it was going to be about. But aside from Finn, no one else knows!”

There are so many different avenues the Duffers could take with a Stranger Things spinoff, and fans already have their theories. Famed horror writer Stephen King says they should do a spinoff all about Yuri (Nikola Đuričko), the Russian smuggler who we’re introduced to in season 4 volume 1. We’ll have to wait and see what the showrunners choose to explore next.

While being interviewed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Duffers revealed the spinoff will not focus on Eleven or any of the central characters.

We know at least one of the spinoff ideas is happening! In April, Netflix confirmed an animated Stranger Things spinoff is in the works.

STRANGER THINGS (L to R) Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in STRANGER THINGS. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix 2022

When Stranger Things season 5 filming?

The short answer right now is after the writers’ strike is over.

As mentioned, Stranger Things season 5 was going to start filming in May or June 2023. It’s been reported that production could begin as early as May, but that hasn’t been officially confirmed by Netflix.

The Duffers confirmed via Twitter that the series will not film until the strike is over. Hopefully, the networks and studios offer the writers a deal soon.

Usually, Netflix lets fans know when the series starts production with a cool table read or reunion-type video. That’s happened in the past. But, because Stranger Things has gotten so big, we can usually find out when the cast is back to work based on fans keeping tabs on production in Georgia, where Stranger Things season 5 is expected to be filmed.

When Stranger Things season 5 ends production will give viewers a good idea of how long we’ll be waiting for season 5. Based on all of the special effects we’ll likely see (there’s now a massive hole in the middle of Hawkins that they have to create!), it’s going to be a long process. I think they’ll need at least seven or eight months, which means production needs to wrap around December 2023 for that July 2024 release date to be possible.

You know Stranger Things is one of the best Netflix shows right now! When it’s all over, there’s no doubt this will be the biggest and likely best Netflix show to date.