Netflix releases the final Stranger Things season 5 trailer ahead of the series finale. Here’s what to expect as Eleven, Hopper, and Vecna face off one last time.
The end of an era is officially here. With the Stranger Things series finale just one day away, Netflix has released the trailer for the third and final installment of season 5, giving fans an emotional and action-packed preview of what’s to come.
Unveiled on Tuesday, December 30, the trailer brings viewers back to Hawkins for one last stand, featuring the same beloved characters audiences have watched grow up since Stranger Things premiered in 2016.
Hopper’s Message Sets the Tone
The trailer opens on a powerful moment between Jim Hopper and Eleven. David Harbour’s Hopper urges Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven to fight “one last time,” as flashes from the past seasons roll across the screen.
“Life has been so unfair to you,” Hopper says in a voiceover. “But you never let it break you. Fight for the days on the other side of this. Fight for a world beyond Hawkins.”
The speech serves as both a rallying cry and a farewell, reminding fans of how far Eleven has come since the beginning.
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Familiar Faces and a Terrifying Villain
As Hopper narrates, the trailer cuts to intense scenes featuring the core cast, including Noah Schnapp and Gaten Matarazzo. Dustin Henderson is shown screaming in fear, while Hopper is later seen gripping a gun, ready for the final confrontation.
The trailer also gives a chilling look at Vecna, played by Jamie Campbell Bower, signaling that the ultimate showdown is imminent.
“Let’s end this, kid,” Hopper appears to tell Eleven as the tension reaches its peak.
A Dramatic Ending Awaits
The preview wraps with red lightning tearing through the sky, a shocked one-liner from Dustin — “Mother of God” — and the promise that everything has been building toward this final episode.
The series finale marks the third and final installment of season 5. Volume 1 debuted on November 26, followed by Volume 2 on December 25, setting the stage for the ultimate conclusion on December 31.
Finale Hits Theaters Too
In a first for the series, the Stranger Things finale will also be screened in theaters. According to Netflix’s Tudum, the episode will play in more than 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
Series co-creator Matt Duffer revealed that the theatrical release was not part of the original plan. After filming wrapped, Netflix proposed giving the finale its own release day, opening the door for a shared, big-screen experience.
“What’s fun about seeing something in the theater is that everyone is experiencing it for the first time together,” Duffer explained, emphasizing the communal nature of the event.
A Bittersweet Goodbye for the Cast
Speaking at the season 5 premiere in Los Angeles, Harbour described the ending as emotional and bittersweet. After nearly a decade with the show, saying goodbye to the cast and crew has been difficult.
“I see all these people that I’ve loved and known so deeply for 10 years,” he said. “And we have to move on and let go. And that is life.”
When to Watch the Finale
The final episode of Stranger Things premieres Wednesday, December 31, at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Volumes 1 and 2 of season 5 are currently available to stream, leading directly into the show’s long-awaited conclusion.
For fans around the world, it’s time to return to Hawkins one last time.