Netflix’s sci‑fi horror phenomenon Stranger Things, created by the Duffer Brothers, concluded in late 2025 with its highly anticipated fifth and final season. Split into three release waves, episodes 1–4 debuted on November 26, episodes 5–7 on December 25, and the two‑hour series finale dropped on December 31.
Season 5 transported viewers back to Hawkins, Indiana in the autumn of 1987. The central cast — Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike), Noah Schnapp (Will), Sadie Sink (Max), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin), Winona Ryder (Joyce), David Harbour (Hopper), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), and Maya Hawke (Robin) — returned alongside newcomer Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay.
Music has always been integral to the Stranger Things atmosphere, with tracks from the 1970s and 1980s curated by music supervisor Nora Felder. Season 5 continued this tradition, weaving iconic songs into pivotal scenes. Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), which surged in popularity during Season 4, reappeared multiple times. The finale showcased legendary artists including Prince, Fleetwood Mac, Pixies, and David Bowie, whose Heroes played over the closing credits.
Season 5 Soundtrack by Episode
Episode 1 – The Crawl
- Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash (cast performance)
- Rockin’ Robin – Michael Jackson
- Pretty in Pink – The Psychedelic Furs
- Upside Down – Diana Ross
- Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
Episode 2 – The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler
- Fernando – ABBA
- Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
- Mr Sandman – The Chordettes
Episode 3 – The Turnbow Trap
- To Each His Own – Freddy Martin & His Orchestra
- I Think We’re Alone Now – Tiffany
- Oh Yeah – Yello
Episode 4 – Sorcerer
- Sh‑Boom – The Chords
- Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
Episode 5 – Shock Jock
- Heart and Soul – Floyd Cramer
Episode 6 – Escape from Camazotz
- Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) – Kate Bush
Episode 7 – The Bridge
- When It’s Cold I’d Like to Die – Moby
- Human Cannonball – Butthole Surfers
Episode 8 – The Rightside Up (Finale)
- When Doves Cry – Prince
- Purple Rain – Prince
- Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
- Here Comes Your Man – Pixies
- The Trooper – Iron Maiden
- Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies
- Heroes – David Bowie
Netflix released official playlists and physical soundtrack editions in early 2026, ensuring fans could relive the season’s emotional beats.
Season 5 Plot Snapshot
The final chapter opened with Hawkins fractured by massive rifts to the Upside Down. The gang reunited to stop Vecna from fusing the real world with a sinister dimension known as the Abyss. Eleven confronted her past, including the return of Kali, while Will faced personal revelations.
Major events included Holly Wheeler’s disappearance, tense radio station battles, and rising threats from the Mind Flayer. In the finale, a daring infiltration of the Upside Down led to Vecna’s defeat and the sealing of all gates. Losses were felt, notably Kali’s demise, but survivors began to rebuild. A time jump to graduation closed the series, underscored by reflective tracks that symbolized healing and legacy.
Stranger Things Season 5 — and all previous seasons — are now streaming worldwide on Netflix.
“Stranger Things Season 5” Finale Review: Emotional Farewell with a Familiar Punch
