It's Not Stranger Things Season 5, But Netflix Just Released A Different Look At The Show Ahead Of Its Highly-Anticipated Return

Unfortunately, the premiere of Stranger Things season 5 is still a ways away, but Netflix has just released another project set in the same universe that will (hopefully) make the wait for the new episodes go by faster. It has been almost three years since season 4 debuted. Consequently, the hype surrounding the upcoming season is higher than ever (or lower than ever for some who are tired of the long wait). While Netflix won't drop the last set of episodes anytime soon, the streaming service is seemingly trying to make up for the delay with a new Stranger Things release.

As many will recall, Stranger Things season 4 ended on a couple of cliffhangers. Max's life hung in the balance after Vecna killed her and Eleven used all her power to revive her friend, and the Upside Down began to crossover into Hawkins following the fight with the ultimate Stranger Things villain. So, it has been three years of wondering what will happen to the beloved characters and how their final battle will play out. Despite the answers not being readily available, Netflix has debuted a new documentary to give fans their fill of Stranger Things before season 5 premieres.

Netflix Just Released A BTS Documentary For Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow Is A Stage Play

Stranger Things The First Shadow Netflix documentary

On March 15, 2025, Netflix dropped Behind the Curtain: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a documentary containing behind-the-scenes footage from the West End stage play Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The production is a prequel to the Netflix sci-fi horror series set in 1959 and tells the story of Henry Creel's arrival in Hawkins. It officially premiered in December 2023 and has since been nominated for many awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play in 2024.

Since Stranger Things: The First Shadow is officially coming to Broadway on April 22, 2025, Netflix seemingly wanted to spread the word via a documentary. The play will debut at the Marriott Marquis Theater in New York. So, after watching the documentary about the West End version, fans can buy tickets for Stranger Things: The First Shadow at StrangerThingsBroadway.com, hopefully helping to pass the time until season 5.

Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, and Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield in Stranger Things.

If Stranger Things Finally Kills Off A Main Character In Season 5, I'm Pretty Sure It Will Be One Of These 3

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will undoubtedly feature at least a few deaths, and some characters are more likely to die than others.

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Is Stranger Things Season 5 Still Coming Out In 2025?

The Final Season Is Set To Release In 2025 (For Now)

The good news is that Stranger Things season 5 is still set to be released in 2025. The bad news is that Netflix hasn't announced a specific premiere date as of the writing of this article, meaning the upcoming episodes could debut as late as December 2025. Editors are likely still working hard to finish the season in time for a 2025 premiere, which is why the streaming service has yet to reveal exactly when it's coming.

Stranger Things 5 Main Cast	Role
Millie Bobby Brown	Eleven/Jane Hopper
Finn Wolfhard	Mike Wheeler
Noah Schnapp	Will Byers
Caleb McLaughlin	Lucas Sinclair
Gaten Matarazzo	Dustin Henderson
Sadie Sink	Max Mayfield
David Harbour	Jim Hopper
Winona Ryder	Joyce Byers
Joe Keery	Steve Harrington
Maya Hawke	Robin Buckley
Natalia Dyer	Nancy Wheeler
Charlie Heaton	Jonathan Byers
Priah Ferguson	Erica Sinclair
Bret Gelman	Murray Bauman

It's possible that Netflix will push Stranger Things season 5's premiere to 2026, depending on how long the post-production process takes. However, for now, fans should expect the last set of episodes in 2025. Until then, fans can check out Netflix's new Stranger Things documentary, Behind the Curtains: Stranger Things: The First Shadow, to make the wait go by faster.