Stranger Things is an American science fiction, horror, mystery, and drama television series created by The Duffer Brothers for streaming on Netflix.[1][2] The brothers, as well as Karl Gajdusek in the first season only, are the program's showrunners.[3] They also executive produce the series with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.[4] The show features a large ensemble cast[5] and takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. It is set in the 1980s and revolves around the actions of the town's citizens when a government agency experiments with the paranormal and supernatural using human test subjects. In the process, they create a portal to an alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.
The first season of eight episodes was released on July 15, 2016. A second season of nine episodes and third season of eight episodes were released on October 27, 2017, and July 4, 2019, respectively.[6] The fourth season was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television.[7][8] Consisting of nine episodes split across two volumes, the first seven episodes of season four were released on May 27, 2022, and the final two were released on July 1, 2022.[6] This season also featured a significant increase in episode lengths equivalent to that of many feature films, with run times ranging from 63 to 150 minutes.[9][10] In February 2022, Netflix renewed the series for a fifth and final season.[11] Production on season five was delayed by the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes.[12][13] It was later revealed that the season would contain eight episodes and be released across November and December 2025 in three segments.[14]
Along with COVID-19 and strike delays, the series also requires extensive visual and special effects which has contributed to the extended time period between release dates.[15] Stranger Things is considered one of Netflix's flagship series and has set viewership records on the platform.[16][17][18] It has also been the subject of praise from critics[19] and has gained a cult following.[20] The series has won several accolades and been nominated for numerous others.[21][22] It has also spawned a prequel stage play[23] and has a spin-off series in production.[24] Template:Aired episodes
Series overview[edit | edit source]
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
Episodes[edit | edit source]
Season 1 (2016)[edit | edit source]
Season 2 (2017)[edit | edit source]
Season 3 (2019)[edit | edit source]
Season 4 (2022)[edit | edit source]
Season 5 (2025)[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Richardson, Kalia (November 6, 2023). "New 'Stranger Things' Play Tells the Origin of the Upside Down". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Bishop, Bryan (August 16, 2016). "The mysteries of Stranger Things are better left unsolved". The Verge. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Stranger Things - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Gray, Tim (July 11, 2019). "'Stranger Things': Executive Producer Shawn Levy on the 'Gut Punch to the Heart' in Season 3". Variety. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (July 15, 2024). "'Stranger Things 5' Unveils New Cast Members, Behind-The-Scenes Video". IndieWire. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Shows A-Z - Stranger Things on Netflix". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Romano, Nick (October 2, 2020). "Stranger Things Season 4 Drops Next Big Twist: It's Back Filming After COVID Delays". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Craig, David (March 31, 2021). "Stranger Things Star Gives Update on Season 4 Filming and Benefit of COVID Delay". Radio Times. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Moss, Molly (May 27, 2022). "How Long Are the Episodes in Stranger Things Season 4?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Tassi, Paul (May 23, 2022). "'Stranger Things' Season 4 Episode Length And Release Dates Are All Over The Place". Forbes. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Hayes, Dade (February 17, 2022). "'Stranger Things' Renewed For Fifth And Final Season, Gets Premiere Dates For Split Season 4 As Duffer Brothers Tease Potential Spinoffs". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ O'Kane, Caitlin (May 8, 2023). "Production on "Stranger Things" Halted Due to Writers' Strike". CBS News. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Thompson, Jaden (November 10, 2023). "David Harbour Teases 'Stranger Things' Production Resuming in 'A Couple of Days'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (June 1, 2025). "Stranger Things Season 5 Release Dates Revealed Alongside New Teaser Trailer". IGN. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ↑ Tassi, Paul (March 14, 2024). "The 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Release Date Is Very, Very is out Away". Forbes. Archived from the original on July 13, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Werpin, Alex (October 17, 2024). "With Final Season of 'Stranger Things' on the Horizon, Netflix Plans "Stranger Season" (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Hailu, Selome (May 31, 2022). "Netflix Top 10: 'Stranger Things 4′ Breaks All-Time Record With 287 Million Hours Viewed". Variety. Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 31, 2022). "'Stranger Things 4' Volume 1 Breaks Netflix Viewership Records In Premiere Weekend". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Attributed to multiple sources:
- DeSantis, Nick (August 11, 2016). "'Stranger Things' Is Scaring Up More Buzz Than Any Other New Netflix Series, And It's Getting Bigger". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Mink, Casey (May 23, 2024). "Demogorgons, Dreams, and Duffers: The Making of 'Stranger Things'". Backstage. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Lincoln, Ross A. (July 27, 2016). "'Stranger Things' Co-Creators On How They Left Things "Open Ended" For Possible Season 2 – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Verlaque, Juliette (June 13, 2018). "'Stranger Things' Video Game in the Works at Telltale Games". TheWrap. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Otterson, Joe (August 9, 2017). "Emmys 2017: Embracing Genre Through 'Stranger Things' and 'Westworld'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Attributed to multiple sources:
- Acton, Annabel (December 2, 2017). "11 Things We've Learned From 2 Seasons of "Stranger Things"". HuffPost. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Lerner, Rebecca (October 27, 2017). "Cashing In On The Upside Down". Forbes. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Bradley, Laura (August 24, 2016). "How the Internet Made Barb from Stranger Things Happen". Vanity Fair. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Lindsay, Benjamin (October 30, 2017). "The Duffer Brothers Review Stranger Things 2's Biggest Surprises, Hint at Season 3's Monster Threat". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- Calvario, Liz (August 2, 2016). "'Stranger Things' Star Shannon Purser Discusses The Cult Surrounding Her Character, Barb". IndieWire. Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ "'Stranger Things'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Stranger Things". Television Academy. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Bitran, Tara (September 4, 2024). "Everything to Know About the Stranger Things: The First Shadow Play in London". Tudum. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ↑ Cremona, Patrick (July 7, 2022). "Stranger Things Creators Confirm Spin-Off And Stage Play". Radio Times. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 28, 2025.