Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Release Schedule Is Terrible

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Everyone is incredibly excited for the new season of Stranger Things, which has been over three years in the making. The young actors have grown up so much that a time jump in the story felt necessary to reflect how much they’ve changed.

Despite complaints about the wait, Netflix really disappointed fans with how it’s releasing the final season. It’s being split into three parts, and the last two will come out on major holidays, forcing viewers to choose between watching right away and celebrating with loved ones.

The ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Release Schedule Is Arrogant


Netflix

Okay, so I’m really excited for Stranger Things Season 5, but Netflix is releasing it in three chunks! The first four episodes drop on November 26th, then three more on December 25th, and finally, a super-sized, movie-length finale on December 31st. Honestly, it’s a little frustrating having to wait so long between parts. It seems like Netflix is doing this with a lot of their shows now – it’s a smart move to keep us all subscribed and coming back for more, but it’s still annoying as a viewer who just wants to binge-watch!

As a fan, it’s pretty clear what’s happening with this new season release. They’re splitting it into three parts over two months, which basically means if you want to watch the whole thing, you’ll likely need to subscribe and pay for at least two months. Even if I sign up the moment Part 1 drops, I’m still stuck paying for another month to see the rest! My only other option is to be really patient and wait until January 2026 to watch the entire season all at once, which I really don’t want to do.

The first part of the new season, continuing the story from Season 4, will be released on November 26th. It includes four episodes – three are over an hour long, and one is 54 minutes. After that, there’s a month-long wait for Part 2. However, dedicated fans will probably watch all four episodes right away. Keeping things under wraps is tough because of online spoilers, which could be a problem for the later parts of the season.

The next part of the show will be released on December 25th, which is Christmas Day. This release includes three episodes, each lasting between one and two and a half hours – meaning over three hours of content! With many people already off work or school for the holidays, it’s a great time to relax, enjoy some treats, and binge-watch. Plus, everyone will be discussing it right away, so fans will want to watch quickly to avoid spoilers. Of course, Christmas is also a time for family, so it could be a cozy way to spend the day together.

Is it really worth sacrificing family traditions like opening gifts, singing carols, or visiting loved ones just to watch a TV show? Are people forced to rush through family obligations, eager to get back home to watch? Or even cancel plans altogether? Perhaps teens are sneaking off to watch with headphones, missing out on quality time with their families. Releasing the show a day or two after Christmas would have been ideal. Families are already relaxed and enjoying downtime, making it the perfect opportunity to watch something together.

Delaying the release by just one day would have significantly improved the experience. Shows like Cobra Kai have successfully launched new seasons on January 1st, allowing fans to enjoy them at home after New Year’s celebrations. However, Stranger Things fans eager to see the finale immediately will have to find ways to watch it at work or risk being late to events. This takes away from the intended experience of enjoying the finale as a cultural moment. Essentially, viewers will have to either rush to watch it and participate in discussions, or avoid spoilers altogether.

This Could Impact Release Day Viewership Numbers


Netflix

It’s obvious the creators of Stranger Things expect dedicated fans to make it their top priority, especially since the ending promises to resolve all lingering questions. However, the idea that fans should give up valuable time with loved ones just to watch it is disheartening. Truly enjoying the show’s conclusion likely requires that kind of sacrifice.

The holidays are a great time to relax and watch TV. But for really popular shows, it should be a special experience – think dimmed lights, a cozy drink, popcorn, and a large screen. You shouldn’t have to watch on a small device while traveling or rearrange your plans just to catch an episode. Especially for younger viewers, the pressure to keep up with everyone else (FOMO) is strong, and watching this way only adds to that feeling.

Some viewers might deliberately wait until the new year to subscribe for just one month and then watch everything at once, being careful to avoid any spoilers. A break from social media is often a good idea, and having time off from school or work makes it easier to avoid accidentally seeing spoilers.

As a film and TV fan, I’m really curious to see how this decision plays out with viewers. I keep wondering if Netflix will notice a big jump in people watching on their phones and tablets. Will fewer people log in because everyone’s gathering at a friend or family member’s place to watch together during the holidays? But honestly, the biggest question for me is whether we’ll see a delayed reaction – will the numbers slowly climb over the next few days as more and more people finally get around to watching Parts 2 and 3, instead of a huge spike right away?

I urge fans to take a break from social media, enjoy time with loved ones, and watch Part 2 on December 26th and Part 3 on January 1st, 2026. Let’s protest the decision to release new episodes on days meant for family time and conversation, rather than just watching TV together. You can find Stranger Things streaming on Netflix.

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2025-11-24 00:33