The end of an era is coming — and fans will get to witness it on the big screen. Netflix has announced that the series finale of Stranger Things will be shown in more than 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada beginning December 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. PT, coinciding with its global Netflix premiere. Screenings will continue through January 1, 2026, allowing fans to ring in the new year inside the world of Hawkins one last time.
Netflix Previews the Beginning of the End
To celebrate Stranger Things Day on November 6, Netflix released the first five minutes of Stranger Things 5 — and it’s pure nostalgia for longtime fans. The scene takes viewers back to 1983, revisiting the night of Will Byers’ disappearance that started it all. The opening sequence seamlessly bridges the show’s beginnings to its final chapter, bringing the story full circle as the Upside Down looms once again.
The preview instantly reignited online buzz, reminding fans of the emotional journey the series has taken since its debut in 2016 — and setting the stage for an epic final season that will bring everything together.
A Theatrical Farewell for a Global Phenomenon
This marks the first time a Stranger Things episode will be screened in theaters, giving fans a true cinematic experience for the finale’s climactic showdown.
Series creators Matt and Ross Duffer shared their excitement with Netflix’s Tudum:
“We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years… 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 bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure.”
Details on how to attend, along with the list of participating theaters, will be announced closer to the premiere.
Filmed in Georgia: The Real-World Hawkins
Stranger Things has deep roots in Georgia, where the production has filmed since day one. The Atlanta metro area serves as the stand-in for Hawkins, Indiana, and Georgia’s towns and neighborhoods have become as iconic as the show’s characters.
Key Georgia filming locations include:
Downtown Jackson – doubles as downtown Hawkins
East Point and Stockbridge – suburban neighborhoods
EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Atlanta – soundstage interiors and Upside Down sets
Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth – transformed into Starcourt Mall in Season 3
Each season employed hundreds of Georgia-based crew members, extras, and vendors.
Final Season Release Schedule
Netflix will release Stranger Things 5 in three volumes, culminating in the feature-length finale:
Volume 1: November 26, 2025 — 4 episodes
Volume 2: December 25, 2025 — 3 episodes
Volume 3 (The Finale): December 31, 2025 — 1 giant episode, also screening in theaters
The final episode premieres simultaneously on Netflix and in theaters, marking a first for the series.
What to Expect in Season 5
Set in the fall of 1987, the final season finds Hawkins reeling from the opening of the Rifts. The town is under military quarantine, and Eleven is forced back into hiding as the government intensifies its hunt for her.
Meanwhile, the group reunites with one goal — find and kill Vecna — though his whereabouts remain unknown.
“The final battle is looming — and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before,” the official synopsis reads. “To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone — the full party — standing together, one last time.”
Returning Cast and New Faces
The finale reunites the show’s beloved ensemble:
Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Fayetteville resident Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Brett Gelman (Murray), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), Amybeth McNulty (Vickie), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).
Watch the First 5 Minutes of Stranger Things 5
The first five minutes of Stranger Things 5 can be seen below:
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