The end has finally arrived. After nearly a decade of Upside Down adventures, Stranger Things returns for its emotional finale this week. But unlike previous seasons, Netflix is doing something different with the release schedule that fans absolutely need to know about.
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When Does Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 Release?
Volume 1 drops on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)—a prime-time release instead of Netflix’s traditional midnight drop. This means most international viewers will actually get the episodes on Thursday, November 27.
| Release Schedule | Details |
|---|---|
| Volume 1 | November 26 (4 episodes) |
| Volume 2 | December 25 (3 episodes) |
| Series Finale | December 31 (1 episode) |
| US Release Time | 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT |
| Total Episodes | 8 episodes |
| Volume 1 Runtime | ~4.5 hours total |
Global Release Times for Volume 1
United States: Wednesday, November 26 at 8:00 PM ET Europe (CET): Thursday, November 27 at 2:00 AM United Kingdom: Thursday, November 27 at 1:00 AM GMT India: Thursday, November 27 at 6:30 AM IST Australia (Sydney): Thursday, November 27 at 12:00 PM AEDT Japan/South Korea: Thursday, November 27 at 10:00 AM
The prime-time release strategy marks a departure from Netflix’s usual 12 AM PT drop, designed to let American viewers watch at comfortable hours without staying up until midnight.
What to Expect in Volume 1
The season picks up in fall 1987 with Hawkins under military quarantine and the heroes united by one mission: find and kill Vecna. But the villain has vanished, and Eleven faces a government manhunt while hiding her powers.
Episode highlights include:
- Episode 1: “The Crawl” (68 minutes)
- Episode 2: “The Vanishing of [REDACTED]” (54 minutes)
- Episode 3: “The Turnbow Trap” (66 minutes)
- Episode 4: “Sorcerer” (83 minutes)
The Duffer Brothers promised to resolve every lingering mystery, with no loose ends left for future seasons. Series co-creator Ross Duffer notes the season “sprints from the start” since the heroes lost at the end of Season 4.
How to Watch Stranger Things 5
Primary Platform:
- Netflix: Exclusive streaming home (Visit Netflix)
- Subscription Required: Netflix Standard or Premium
- Free Trial: Not currently available for new users
Special Event: The series finale will have limited theatrical screenings in the US and Canada on December 31 at 8 PM ET, running only through January 1, 2026.
Binge-Watching Tips: All four Volume 1 episodes release simultaneously, so you can watch at your own pace. Set aside around 4.5 hours if you’re planning to binge the entire volume in one sitting.
Device Compatibility:
- Smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles
- Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
- Web browser at netflix.com
Catch Up Before Volume 1
Need to refresh your memory? All four previous seasons are streaming now:
FAQs
Q: Will all Stranger Things 5 episodes be released at once?
A: No, Season 5 uses a three-part release. Volume 1 (4 episodes) arrives November 26, Volume 2 (3 episodes) drops on Christmas Day December 25, and the series finale releases on New Year’s Eve December 31. This staggered approach replaces Netflix’s typical binge-release format.
Q: Why is the release time different from past Stranger Things seasons?
A: Netflix switched from its traditional 12 AM PT midnight release to an 8 PM ET prime-time drop. This allows US viewers to watch at reasonable evening hours without staying up late, though it means international audiences get the episodes during daytime hours on November 27 instead of November 26.
