The end of Stranger Things is near, and while some might be worried about how the story will conclude, fans don’t have to worry about one issue the series has encountered in the past two seasons. Netflix’s sci-fi horror mystery drama TV show, created by the Duffer Brothers, has taken the world by storm since its premiere in 2016. While many have praised Stranger Things for its storytelling, 1980s homages, acting, directing, and more, some have found a handful of things to criticize (mostly about how long it takes for new episodes to be released).

Netflix confirmed that Stranger Things season 5 will premiere sometime in 2025 and feature eight episodes — “Chapter One: The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of [TBA],” “The Turnbow Trap,” “Sorcerer,” “Shock Jock,” “Escape from Camazotz,” “The Bridge,” and “The Rightside Up.”

The good news is that, after almost three years since the ending of Stranger Things season 4, season 5 will debut in 2025. Of course, the bad news is that it’s the final season. However, there is one major upside to Stranger Things 5 being the popular Netflix TV show’s last outing — its story has to end on a conclusive note, with no questions remaining after the final shot of the series.

Stranger Things Season 5 Can’t Possibly End With Another Death Fakeout

Seasons 3 & 4 Concluded With 2 Characters’ Fates Unknown

 

As some may painfully remember, Stranger Things season 3 ended with Hopper’s “death.” He seemingly sacrificed himself to save Hawkins, but a post-credits scene teased that Hopper survived the explosion. In a Russian prison, guards were selecting one of the prisoners to feed to a Demogorgon, and when one went to open a cell, the other guard said, “No. Not the American.” Of course, he was referring to Hopper, who was revealed to be alive during the Stranger Things season 4 premiere. Then, Max also “died” in the season 4 finale until Eleven revived her, but the episode ended with Max’s fate unresolved.

Stranger Things Season 5 Cast
Role

Millie Bobby Brown
Eleven/Jane Hopper

Finn Wolfhard
Mike Wheeler

Noah Schnapp
Will Byers

Caleb McLaughlin
Lucas Sinclair

Gaten Matarazzo
Dustin Henderson

Sadie Sink
Max Mayfield

David Harbour
Jim Hopper

Winona Ryder
Joyce Byers

Joe Keery
Steve Harrington

Maya Hawke
Robin Buckley

Natalia Dyer
Nancy Wheeler

Charlie Heaton
Jonathan Byers

Linda Hamilton
TBA

Bret Gelman
Murray Bauman

Jamie Campbell Bower
Vecna

Amybeth McNulty
Vickie

Priah Ferguson
Erica Sinclair

Cara Buono
Karen Wheeler

Joe Chrest
Ted Wheeler

Nell Fisher
Holly Wheeler

Jake Connelly
TBA

Alex Breaux
TBA

Stranger Things‘ fakeout deaths cannot keep happening, and by all accounts, season 5 (thankfully) won’t end with one. It would be quite confusing if the Duffer Brothers decided to conclude the show with another fake death, leaving a character’s fate unresolved forever. It’s frustrating for many when TV series continuously “kill off” characters and then bring them back to life. But it’s even more frustrating when viewers have to wait two or more years to learn what happened to them.

Stranger Things’ Final Season Means It Has To Have A Definitive Ending

The Netflix Series Must Have A Satisfying & Complete Ending

Sadly, Stranger Things season 5 is the Netflix show’s last. As a result, the finale will surely have a definitive ending and answer every question fans have had concerning this fascinating, mysterious universe over the years. Viewers shouldn’t be confused about any character’s fate and know how each of their stories ends.

So, it’s only a matter of who lives and who dies in Stranger Things season 5. Not every character can make it out of Hawkins alive, as fans have learned all too well since Barb’s death in season 1. Some will survive and some will sacrifice themselves in Stranger Things season 5. Of course, this sad truth is quite disappointing, but at least the audience will know the truth and not question anyone’s fate.

Will Stranger Things Finally Kill A Main Character In Season 5?

Death Seems Certain In The Show’s Final Episodes

 

Fans should prepare themselves for at least one major death in Stranger Things season 5. Since it’s the show’s last season, many believe that not every main character will survive the threat of Vecna and the Upside Down, and they are likely right. The Duffer Brothers will probably go all out for season 5, meaning death is a certainty. While character deaths are heartbreaking, they are also sometimes necessary to raise the story’s stakes, and the stakes must be raised higher than ever in Stranger Things‘ final set of episodes.

Others believe Will sacrifices his life in season 5, given his connection to the Upside Down.

Many speculate that Steve will die in the upcoming episodes, seeing as the writers originally planned to kill off Steve in Stranger Things season 1. Others believe Will sacrifices his life in season 5, given his connection to the Upside Down. Of course, Eleven, the girl at the center of it all, could meet her doom soon. Only time will tell which characters die in Stranger Things season 5, though.