After nearly a decade of Demogorgons, Upside Down adventures, and unforgettable characters, Stranger Things Season 5 is finally coming to give us the epic conclusion we’ve been waiting for. Whether you’ve been with the show since Mike Wheeler found Eleven in the woods back in 2016, or you binged all four seasons in a weekend (no judgment), this final chapter promises to be the most thrilling, emotional, and nostalgic ride yet. (Cover photo credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)
As someone currently doing a full series rewatch (complete with a themed cocktail I’ll share below), I’m feeling ALL the feelings about saying goodbye to Hawkins, Indiana, and the ragtag group of kids—now young adults—who’ve fought interdimensional monsters while navigating the already-terrifying world of growing up in the 1980s.
Why Stranger Things Has Captivated Us for a Decade
There’s something magical about a show that manages to blend genuine horror, heartfelt friendship, epic sci-fi storytelling, and pitch-perfect ’80s nostalgia into one binge-worthy package. We’ve literally grown up alongside the Stranger Things cast—watching Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, and Sadie Sink transform from kids on bikes to young adults carrying the weight of saving the world (again).
But it’s not just about the kids. The Stranger Things characters have become cultural icons. Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) went from popular jock to everyone’s favorite babysitter and the internet’s collective boyfriend. Winona Ryder reminded us why she’s been a legend since the actual ’80s with her portrayal of Joyce Byers, a mother who will literally travel to alternate dimensions for her sons. And David Harbour’s Jim Hopper became the gruff-but-lovable father figure we all needed.
The show has also brilliantly expanded its universe with characters who’ve become instant favorites—like the sassy, fast-talking Erica Sinclair (Priah Ferguson), “You can’t spell America without Erica.” Then there’s Robin Buckley (Maya Hawke), whose friendship with Steve Stranger Things gave us one of the most genuine platonic relationships on television. And who can forget the lovable and quirky former journalist and private investigator Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman), known for his elaborate theories about the government conspiracy surrounding the events in Hawkins.
The Emotional Rollercoaster That Keeps Us Coming Back
Part of what makes Stranger Things so captivating is its masterful ability to evoke every single emotion—you’ll be on the edge of your seat in suspense one moment and reaching for tissues the next, sometimes within the same scene. The Duffer Brothers have perfected the art of the emotional gut punch, and nowhere is this more evident than in the show’s most heart-stopping and heartbreaking moments.
The Most Heart-Stopping Moments
Let’s talk about THAT scene in Season 4—you know the one. Max running for her life through Vecna’s mind prison while Kate Bush’s powerful 1985 track became her lifeline back to reality. I was literally on the edge of my seat, tears streaming, watching Sadie Sink deliver one of the most intense performances in the entire series. The way the Duffer Brothers used music not just as soundtrack but as an actual plot device to save Max’s life was absolutely genius. That sequence alone sent Kate Bush’s song back to the top of the charts nearly 40 years after its release and gave us one of the most suspenseful, emotional moments in television history.
The Saddest Moments That Still Haunt Us
That’s the brilliance of Stranger Things—it knows how to build tension until you can barely breathe, then hit you with an emotional gut punch that leaves you heartbroken. Two deaths stand out as particularly devastating—Bob Newby (Sean Astin), Joyce’s sweet, nerdy boyfriend who literally died a hero, and Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), the metalhead with a heart of gold who sacrificed himself while shredding the most epic guitar solo in the Upside Down. If you didn’t cry during Eddie’s final moments or Bob’s “easy peasy” scene, you might actually be a Demogorgon.
These losses remind us that the stakes in Hawkins are real, and as we head into Stranger Things Season 5, we’re genuinely terrified about who might not make it out alive.
Special Guests That Made Sci-Fi and Horror Fans Lose Their Minds
Another element of the Stranger Things magic has been its casting of genre legends who feel like love letters to us fans. Robert Englund (yes, THE Freddy Krueger) appeared as Victor Creel in Season 4, delivering a haunting performance that had horror fans absolutely geeking out. And recently we spotted Linda Hamilton in the Season 5 promos, and it looks like The Terminator legend is coming for our Hawkins crew, which honestly has us both excited and genuinely worried about who makes it out alive.
These casting choices prove the Duffer Brothers understand their audience—we’re the kids who grew up on Nightmare on Elm Street, The Terminator, E.T., The Goonies, Firestarter, and Stand By Me. Every reference, every guest star, every synth-heavy soundtrack moment is crafted with love for the stories that shaped us.
What We Know About Stranger Things Season 5
While the Duffer Brothers are keeping plot details tightly under wraps, we know Stranger Things Season 5 will be the final season, bringing the epic story to its conclusion. Filming has wrapped, and the Stranger Things cast has been sharing emotional behind-the-scenes moments that have us reaching for tissues before we’ve even seen a trailer.
What we can expect: a time jump, the inevitable final battle with Vecna and the Upside Down, and hopefully some answers to lingering questions. Will Eleven get her powers back to full strength? Can Hawkins survive one more apocalyptic event? Will Steve, Stranger Things fan favorite, finally get the happy ending he deserves? (Please, Duffer Brothers, let Steve be happy!)
One Last Ride
As we prepare for Stranger Things Season 5, it’s worth reflecting on what this show has meant. For nearly a decade, we’ve returned to Hawkins to watch these Stranger Things characters fight monsters both literal and metaphorical. We’ve seen them navigate friendship, first love, loss, trauma, and the simple terror of growing up—all while preventing interdimensional apocalypses.
The Stranger Things cast has given us performances that transcend typical genre fare, creating characters we genuinely love and will miss when it’s over. From the kids who started this journey to additions like Steve Stranger Things (who became an unexpected fan favorite), Murray, Argyle, and every character in between—this ensemble has created something special.
LA’s Epic Stranger Things Festival
If you’re in Los Angeles and need to channel your Stranger Things obsession into something spectacular, mark your calendar: On Sunday, 11/23, Netflix and CicLAvia are shutting down Melrose Ave. for a FREE four-mile immersive Stranger Things bike festival. We’re talking bike rentals (obviously), trivia quests for the true fans, giveaways, live entertainment, exclusive merch, and three themed hubs packed with surprises.
The theme? “One Last Ride” before Season 5 drops—and honestly, I’m getting emotional just thinking about it. Dress in your best ’80s attire (think denim, neon, high-waisted everything), show up early because this is going to be PACKED, and prepare to celebrate this show with fellow fans who understand why saying goodbye to Hawkins feels like saying goodbye to a piece of our own childhoods.
Sip and Scream: Stranger Things Rewatch Cocktail
As promised, here’s a cocktail recipe to accompany your journey back through all four seasons. May I present: The Upside Down
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. vanilla vodka
- 1 oz. blue curaçao
- 3 oz. Sprite or lemon-lime soda
- Splash of grenadine
- Stroopwafels (to accompany)
- Instructions: Fill a glass with ice, add vodka and blue curaçao, top with Sprite. Slowly pour grenadine down the side of the glass—it’ll sink and create that eerie “upside down” effect. Pair with Stroopwafels and try not to ugly cry during Eddie’s death scene.
See you in Hawkins one last time. Friends don’t lie.
