The fictional American town at the centre of one of Netflix’s most successful series is preparing for its final instalment, with the long-awaited conclusion now within sight. Yet many viewers may struggle to recall exactly where Eleven and her bike-riding friends left off when we last visited their troubled community.
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The first four episodes of Stranger Things’ fifth and final season will arrive on Netflix in the UK at 01:00 GMT on Thursday, 27 November. The late release time is due to the series launching simultaneously worldwide — meaning viewers in Los Angeles will receive it at 17:00 on Wednesday, and those in New York at 20:00 the same day.
However, anyone tempted to binge the series in one sitting will need patience. Episodes five, six and seven are scheduled to debut on Boxing Day in the UK, with the concluding eighth episode, titled The Rightside Up, arriving on New Year’s Day. By 2026, the full story will finally have been told — though it remains uncertain how many familiar faces will make it to the end.
Season four concluded with the group separating in a final effort to defeat Vecna. It was revealed that Eleven inadvertently created the antagonist after using her powers to banish Henry Creel into another dimension during their time in a research facility. Creel, who had already demonstrated extraordinary abilities, transformed into Vecna while travelling towards the Upside Down.
Vecna later targeted Max, killing her briefly before Eleven intervened. Although the villain appeared to be destroyed, Max’s resurrection hinted at his survival. The barrier between Hawkins and the Upside Down was violently ruptured, as once-peaceful landscapes withered beneath blackened skies and streaks of red lightning.
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Henry Creel’s origins remain central to the final chapter. After spending 12 hours in an alternative dimension, he developed supernatural abilities. His family’s move to Hawkins offered no respite, and a disastrous incident in their home drew the attention of Hawkins National Lab. There, Dr Brenner designated him “001”, implanting a device to contain his powers while shifting his focus to other child test subjects, including Eleven. Henry later befriended her, regained his abilities and was ultimately cast into the Upside Down, beginning his transformation into Vecna.
Since its debut, Stranger Things has become one of Netflix’s defining successes. According to the streaming platform, the fourth season alone amassed more than 140 million views — the equivalent of around 1.8 billion hours watched. With global popularity came an elevation in status for much of its youthful ensemble.
British actress Millie Bobby Brown, who first portrayed Eleven at the age of 12 in 2016, has since appeared in Hollywood blockbusters including two Godzilla films and the Enola Holmes franchise. The series has also contributed to renewed interest in established performers, including Winona Ryder, a two-time Academy Award nominee. David Harbour’s turn as police chief Jim Hopper has paved the way for major roles, such as in Marvel’s Black Widow and Thunderbolts.
As the final episodes approach, anticipation remains high — and fans worldwide are preparing to return to Hawkins for one last descent into the Upside Down.
