For the past nine years, *Stranger Things* has frequently drawn inspiration from the works of Stephen King, and the upcoming fifth season promises to do so more than ever – potentially resolving a 12-year gap for one director. Created by the Duffer brothers, the fifth and final season of *Stranger Things* will premiere on Netflix on November 26, 2025, bringing an end to the show’s nearly decade-long run of supernatural stories in Hawkins, Indiana. Season 5 will continue the show’s tradition of cleverly referencing the legendary horror author, Stephen King.
It’s still unknown how the final season of *Stranger Things* will tie into the work of Stephen King, but bringing in director and writer Frank Darabont is a fitting choice. Darabont, known for adapting several of King’s stories into films, is returning to directing after a 12-year break to work on episodes 3 and 5 of *Stranger Things* season 5, titled “The Turnbow Trap” and “Shock Jock.” He actually started his directing career by adapting one of King’s short stories back in 1983.
As a big fan of both Stephen King and *Stranger Things*, I’ve noticed so many cool nods to his work! It’s really clear the show draws a lot of inspiration from him – the group of kids reminds me a lot of the Losers’ Club from *It*, and in season 4, seeing Lucas read *The Talisman* to Max was a special moment. Even Eleven’s journey with her powers felt similar to *Carrie*. They’ve even used the same font for the title as King’s books! Knowing Frank Darabont, who clearly loves Stephen King, is involved makes me even more excited to see what they do with season 5 – I’m expecting a lot more references!
Why Frank Darabont is So Good For Stranger Things
Frank Darabont is a highly respected horror filmmaker known for directing and writing projects like *The Walking Dead*, *Tales from the Crypt*, *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors*, and *Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein*, among others. While he’s worked on many popular titles, he’s particularly famous for his adaptations of Stephen King’s work. He began his directing career with a short film based on King’s 1978 short story, *The Woman in the Room*, and went on to direct the critically acclaimed films *The Shawshank Redemption*, *The Green Mile*, and *The Mist*. He even made a brief appearance in the 1997 TV miniseries *The Shining*.
The final season of *Stranger Things* is getting a boost from acclaimed director Frank Darabont, known for his work on shows like *The Walking Dead*. Darabont hasn’t directed a project since 2013’s *Mob City*, making his return with *Stranger Things* a major event. Season 5 will roll out in stages: four episodes on November 26th, three more on December 25th, and the concluding episode, “The Rightside Up,” on December 31, 2025. Producers promise this will be the most thrilling and emotional season of *Stranger Things* to date.
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2025-09-14 20:13