History of Stranger Things season 5 in Timeline

Stranger Things season 5, the final season, will be released on Netflix. The Duffer brothers, along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, will produce the season, concluding the Hawkins story.

1988: Beetlejuice Reference

In 1988, the original Beetlejuice movie was released, which Winona Ryder was in. Because the Duffer brothers reached an agreement with Winona Ryder to let her take a break from Stranger Things to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz in a possible Beetlejuice (1988) sequel, the movie is relevant.

2000: Burton's Sequel Plans

Since 2000, Tim Burton had been seriously planning a Beetlejuice sequel, which is relevant as the Duffer brothers reached an agreement with Winona Ryder to let her take a break from Stranger Things to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz in a possible Beetlejuice sequel. Ryder ultimately shot Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) before filming on season 5 began.

2015: Ryder's Initial Agreement

Back in mid-2015, the Duffers agreed with Winona Ryder to let her take a break from Stranger Things to reprise her role as Lydia Deetz in a possible Beetlejuice (1988) sequel. The agreement did not need to be granted as Ryder shot Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) before filming on season 5 began.

2017: Fifth Season Teased

In 2017, producers teased the possibility of a fifth season of Stranger Things, despite the Duffer brothers initially planning for a maximum of four seasons.

February 17, 2022: Duffer Brothers' Letter

On February 17, 2022, Matt and Ross Duffer released a letter about Stranger Things, revealing the fourth season's two-part release, plans for a spinoff series on Netflix, and the renewal of the series for a fifth and final season.

August 2, 2022: Writing Begins

On August 2, 2022, writing for the fifth season of Stranger Things officially began, following the premiere of season 4 volume 2.

November 6, 2022: Episode One Title Revealed

On November 6, 2022 (Stranger Things Day), the title of the first episode of season five was announced as "Chapter One: The Crawl," written by the Duffer Brothers.

May 6, 2023: Writing Paused

On May 6, 2023, the Duffer Brothers announced that writing for season 5 had been paused due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike.

June 2023: Linda Hamilton Joins Cast

In June 2023, during Netflix's TUDUM event, it was announced that Linda Hamilton would be joining the cast of Stranger Things Season 5.

September 2023: Shawn Levy to Direct

In September 2023, it was confirmed that executive producer Shawn Levy would direct at least one episode of the fifth season.

October 14, 2023: Writing Over Halfway Done

On October 14, 2023, it was revealed that writing for Stranger Things season 5 was over halfway done, indicating significant progress in the script development.

2023: Production Delays Due to Labor Disputes

In 2023, the Hollywood labor disputes caused delays in the production of Stranger Things season 5, as well as Harbour's other movie, Thunderbolts*.

January 8, 2024: Production Begins

After delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, production of the fifth season of Stranger Things began on January 8, 2024.

January 2024: Amybeth McNulty Returns

In January 2024, as production began, a set photo confirmed the return of Amybeth McNulty as Vickie in Stranger Things season 5.

March 2024: Nine Months of Filming Remaining

In March 2024, Millie Bobby Brown stated that there were nine months left of filming for season 5, and that she had read the script for six episodes.

Jul 2024: New Cast Members

In July 2024, Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly, and Alex Breaux joined the cast of Stranger Things season 5.

October 2024: Almost Done Shooting

In October 2024, Finn Wolfhard stated that they were "almost done shooting" for Stranger Things season 5, indicating the nearing completion of principal photography.

October 2024: Casting Call for Young Sara Hopper

In mid-October 2024, a casting call was announced for Jim Hopper's late daughter Sara, indicating her appearance in flashback sequences, with the actress required to resemble Elle Graham from the first season.

November 2024: Nell Fisher to Appear as Holly Wheeler

In November 2024, Nell Fisher was confirmed to appear as Holly Wheeler in the fifth season of Stranger Things.

December 20, 2024: Filming Wraps

Filming for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things wrapped on December 20, 2024.

January 2025: Post-Production Underway

In January 2025, the Duffer brothers announced that post-production for Stranger Things season 5 was underway and that work on the visual effects was "ahead of schedule".

2025: Season 5 Release

In 2025, Stranger Things season 5 is set to be released, featuring returning series regulars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, and others. Amybeth McNulty was promoted to series regular, and Linda Hamilton joined the main cast.

2025: Potential Release Year

Thunderbolts*, a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) which David Harbour acts in, was originally planned to be shot at the same time as season 5, which would have been released in 2025. The 2023 Hollywood labor disputes delayed both productions.