Stranger Things Ending: Shawn Levy Reveals Thoughtful Reason For Season 5 Finale

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After almost ten years, the popular Netflix series Stranger Things will be ending with its fifth season. Director and executive producer Shawn Levy explains the decision is made with careful consideration. The new season begins a little over a year after the dramatic events of season four, where the town of Hawkins was devastated by Vecna’s attack and the ongoing threat from the Upside Down.

Netflix is going all out to deliver a truly spectacular final season of Stranger Things, meeting the high expectations of its devoted fans. They’ve reportedly invested around $450 million in season 5 and are breaking from their usual release strategy by showing the nearly two-hour finale in select theaters across the US and Canada on New Year’s Day.

Although the main Stranger Things story is ending, the franchise isn’t over. An animated spin-off called Tales From ’85 is planned for release in 2026. Plus, the Duffer brothers recently announced they’re also working on a separate live-action spin-off, even after moving their main creative work to Paramount.

To celebrate the upcoming season, Ash Crossan from ScreenRant spoke with Shawn Levy about Stranger Things season 5. When asked how long the creators had planned the show’s ending, the producer and director explained that they didn’t want to keep the series going past its prime, stating, “none of us wanted to overstay our welcome.”

Honestly, the reason this feels right is because from the moment I read the first script by the Duffer brothers, I’ve been committed to supporting their unique creative voice and helping them bring their vision to life.

He explained that the creators of Stranger Things have known the ending for some time and didn’t want to prolong the show just for the sake of it. They wanted to avoid repeating ideas or letting the story go on for too long. He particularly praised the planned ending for season 5, calling it a fantastic finale and describing it as both satisfying and deeply moving.

This season is incredibly moving and manages to explain a lot, which is difficult when you have a large cast of characters to develop. Despite these challenges, Matt and Ross have done a fantastic job.

Levy Will Hold The Memories Of Watching The Stranger Things Cast Grow “Most Dear”

ScreenRant, what’s the biggest mystery you’re hoping the show finally resolves for fans?

I do have an idea, but I’m hesitant to share it because it might spoil something! There are a lot of mysteries still, but the show’s creators are committed to giving viewers satisfying answers. We’ve all seen shows that frustrate us by not explaining things, and that can be really memorable for the wrong reasons. But a truly great ending? That sticks with you too.

ScreenRant asks that, as viewers, we’ve watched these children grow up on screen, with their entire childhoods captured by the show. They wonder if watching them felt like witnessing a graduation, marking the end of an era for these young stars.

It’s been amazing watching the young cast members grow up, both as people and as actors. I’ve had a unique view, seeing their skills develop over time. As they’ve become more confident and skilled, we’ve been able to give them more challenging material, and they’ve consistently delivered. They were always talented, but now they truly command their craft, which has been a huge benefit to the show’s storytelling. Season 5, in particular, gives them fantastic opportunities to shine. Even now, while we’re all doing press together, I’m flooded with memories of all those moments on set, working together to create scenes that have become beloved and iconic. It’s those simple, collaborative moments that I’ll cherish the most moving forward.

Be sure to dive into some of our other Stranger Things season 5 coverage with:

  • Millie Bobby Brown assuring Stranger Things season 5’s ending will avoid other finale complaints
  • Noah Schnapp confirming that Will Byers gets a definitive ending in the final season
  • Charlie Heaton explaining how Jonathan Byers’ story is different from prior seasons
  • Shawn Levy addressing the ambiguous fate of the Byers family’s dog nine years after season 1
  • Shawn Levy naming his favorite Stranger Things scenes

The first part of Stranger Things season 5 will begin streaming on Netflix November 26th at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. The second part arrives on December 25th, and a final event will conclude the season on December 31st.

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2025-11-26 18:19