Stranger Things Season 5 Finally Justified Why It Took 3 Years

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Many believe Stranger Things is the show that truly established Netflix as a major creator of original series, evolving from a popular hit into a widespread cultural phenomenon. With each season, the show delivered a larger, more impressive story, captivating its growing international audience. This consistent success created huge excitement for the fifth and final season, promising a satisfying end to the story of Hawkins. However, fans have been waiting for over three years for this final chapter – a considerable gap between seasons. The long production time led to speculation about the reason for the delay, but recent news has clarified the situation.

According to a new report from *Puck News*, each episode of *Stranger Things* Season 5 will be quite long, running between 90 and 120 minutes. This means each episode will be almost as long as a full-length movie. Because of this large scope, production is expected to take a significant amount of time, and the season is reportedly costing between $50 and $60 million per episode. With its massive story and budget, the final season of *Stranger Things* is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious TV projects ever undertaken.

Are Stranger Things Episodes Too Big?

Making each episode of the final season of *Stranger Things* as long as a movie turns it into a major television event – and that seems to be exactly what Netflix is hoping for. The streaming service wants the conclusion of its biggest show to feel as important and exciting as a big movie release. These longer episodes encourage viewers to watch them when they first come out, creating a shared experience where people can gather with family and friends to enjoy each new installment, almost like going to the cinema. This allows the final showdown in Hawkins to have the scope and cinematic feel it deserves after so many seasons of storytelling.

This new, event-focused release strategy conflicts with how Netflix usually releases shows. While the latest season has eight episodes, it will be split into two parts of four. This puts a lot of pressure on viewers to watch quickly, so they don’t see spoilers online. The first part alone requires at least six, and potentially eight, hours of viewing – a demand that goes against the idea of a special, drawn-out event. Rushing to finish prevents the shared experience that weekly releases create, where viewers can discuss each episode as it comes out. Considering each episode is as long and detailed as a movie, a weekly release schedule might have been a better fit for the show’s cinematic style.

The first part of *Stranger Things* Season 5 will premiere on Netflix on November 26, 2025.

What are your thoughts on the long episodes in the final season? Share your opinion in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-09 18:40