After nearly a decade of Demogorgons, Hawkins mysteries, and the Upside Down, Stranger Things is set to reach its long-awaited conclusion. Netflix has confirmed that Season 5 will conclude the story, and fans worldwide are preparing for the final chapter.
While some plot details remain tightly guarded, key information about the finale’s release date, premiere time, and runtime is now official.
Release Date: When Does The Finale Arrive?
The Stranger Things Season 5 finale, titled “Chapter 8: The Rightside Up,” will premiere on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Because Netflix releases episodes simultaneously worldwide, viewers in some regions will see the episode arrive in the early hours of January 1, 2026, depending on local time zones.
ONE. LAST. TIME. The final episode of STRANGER THINGS 5 arrives New Year's Day 1am GMT. pic.twitter.com/3yHJGW66KQ
— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) December 30, 2025Netflix follows a global launch model. The finale will be available worldwide simultaneously, adjusted to local time.
- United States (ET): 8:00 p.m.
- United States (PT): 5:00 p.m.
Runtime: How Long is The Final Episode?
The series finale is feature-length. Creators Duffer Brothers have confirmed that “The Rightside Up” runs for approximately 2 hours and 8 minutes.
Read: Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 Release Date, Time, and How to Watch the Final Episodes
This extended runtime gives the story room to resolve long-running arcs, deliver emotional farewells, and conclude the battle with Vecna and the Upside Down in full cinematic fashion.
The Stranger Things finale marks the end of one of streaming television’s most influential series. With its December 31 release and film-length runtime, the final episode is positioned as a major pop-culture moment, one that many fans may watch just before the New Year begins.
As Hawkins’ story closes, audiences around the globe will press play together for one last journey into the Upside Down.
