Stranger Things creators reveal main reason for Season 5 delay

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Okay, so everyone’s been waiting *ages* for Season 5 of Stranger Things, right? Well, the Duffer brothers, the creators, are finally talking about how the production has taken so long, and they’re even saying they have some regrets about the delays. But they’re also promising us it’s all going to be worth the wait, which is good to hear! I’m really hoping they deliver – I can’t wait to see how the story wraps up.

Stranger Things is a key part of what makes Netflix successful. Since it first appeared in 2016, it’s become one of the streaming service’s biggest hits, and its fourth season is now the third most popular English-language series on Netflix, behind only Wednesday and Adolescence.

That was back in 2022, and a lot has changed since then. Production issues caused a significant delay between seasons four and five, making the wait seem incredibly long.

The first part of the final season will be available on Netflix in November. The creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, are preparing to finish the story and have already made a deal with Paramount for future projects.

Duffer brothers open up about Stranger Things Season 5 delay

The Duffer brothers recently told Variety they feel they’ve spent too much time focused on Stranger Things over the last ten years. The interview also explained the reasons for the delays in Season 5, revealing that the creators themselves acknowledge being overly immersed in the show contributed to the problem, in addition to issues like the pandemic and the Hollywood strikes.

The Duffer brothers will have directed 24 of the show’s 42 episodes, including the finale. According to Variety, they made a strong effort to direct as much of the series as they could, which is unusual for showrunners in the genre of television they work in.

This was a deliberate artistic decision by the brothers, who were influenced by directors like Michael Mann, Peter Weir, and David Fincher – filmmakers Matt described as being known for their meticulous attention to detail.

He admitted to sometimes wishing they’d been able to explore more diverse stories during the past decade, feeling like it consumed their thirties. While he wished things had moved a bit quicker, he acknowledged that they couldn’t change the past.

Ross explained that they began working on the project when Netflix was still relatively new. He believes opportunities to create stories of this scope on such a large platform are becoming rare. So, while he acknowledges some regrets, as Matt mentioned, he’s grateful they were able to capitalize on a unique moment in the entertainment industry.

Matt acknowledged that the team deliberately chose to take a long time with the project. He explained they could have easily switched to making movies instead, but they decided against it – a decision he feels was the right one. They were committed to completing the story, and fortunately, they began it at an age where they were still able to finish it. He pointed out that even Ridley Scott didn’t begin his filmmaking career until his 40s.

The team behind the show is determined to deliver a satisfying conclusion, and Shawn Levy, an executive producer on Stranger Things, is optimistic they will. He explained they’ve been disappointed by other shows that didn’t live up to fans’ expectations, and they’re committed to avoiding the same fate.

According to Ross, the fifth season feels like a natural continuation of the story, with all plot threads coming together. Matt added that they’ve fully explored every aspect of the series – from the monsters like the Demogorgon and Mind Flayer to the world of the Upside Down and the journeys of the characters. They feel this concludes the story completely.

The first part of Stranger Things Season 5 will be available on Netflix November 26, 2025, with the second part arriving on December 25th and the final episodes releasing on New Year’s Day.

While we wait for the final season, I’ve been diving into some theories about which characters might not make it – it’s pretty intense! I also read a really interesting piece about how much time might jump forward in Season 5. And if you’re like me and need to plan your viewing schedule, they’ve got a full calendar of upcoming TV shows coming out in 2025!

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2025-10-15 19:20