WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1

The anticipation surrounding Stranger Things has reached a fever pitch as Netflix unveiled the first set of episodes from its much-awaited fifth season. Fans quickly devoured the four initial chapters, now anxiously looking forward to the second volume. The season’s debut on November 27 generated such a buzz that it temporarily crashed Netflix, leaving some viewers momentarily frustrated, according to the Mirror.

This final chapter signifies the closing act of the beloved sci-fi series crafted by the Duffer Brothers, which has captivated audiences since its 2016 premiere. Serving as a nostalgic tribute to the 1980s, the show has not only expanded in scale and popularity but also emerged as a cultural phenomenon, introducing a new generation to the iconic decade.

How many episodes are in Stranger Things season 5 in total?

The fifth season features a total of eight episodes, aligning with the episode counts of the first and third seasons, while the second and fourth seasons offered nine episodes each.

Although slightly shorter, creators Matt and Ross Duffer promise fans an experience akin to full-length films, with storytelling presented on an epic, cinematic scale.

This season has been divided into three volumes, allowing viewers to relish the final episodes a bit longer before the series concludes. The episodes are as follows: Chapter One: The Crawl; Chapter Two: The Vanishing of…; Chapter Three: The Turnbow Trap; Chapter Four: Sorcerer; Chapter 5: Shock Jock; Chapter 6: Escape From Camazotz; Chapter 7: The Bridge; and Chapter 8: The Rightside Up.

In the UK, volume two will be available on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1am, delivering episodes five through seven to fans. Volume three, marking the Stranger Things series finale and the eighth episode, arrives on New Year’s Day (January 1, 2026), promising a satisfying conclusion for audiences.

Much like the first volume, the second is anticipated to leave viewers hanging on a thrilling cliffhanger right before the grand finale. Given that this is the last season, volume two is also expected to feature some significant character deaths, although it seems fans have been spared any brutal killings for now.

The show is notorious for ruthlessly killing off characters, having delivered some major shocks over the years with its high body count, including beloved characters Eddie Munson (portrayed by Joseph Quinn), Bob Newby (Sean Astin), Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery) and Barb Holland (Shannon Purser).

The fifth season follows the group’s battle against the villainous Vecna/Henry Creel/One (Jamie Campbell Bower), a former Hawkins Lab subject who tore open a gateway between reality and the Upside Down with plans for total destruction. With Hawkins under military occupation, the team pressed on with their hunt for Vecna as he lurked within the Upside Down.

The first volume delivered numerous shocking revelations, most notably the reappearance of Eleven’s (Millie Bobby Brown) fellow superhuman and childhood companion Kali/Eight (Linnea Berthelsen), who was being manipulated by military forces due to her extraordinary abilities and was the mysterious presence behind the door previously believed to be Vecna.

Discussing Kali’s role in season five, Ross revealed to Variety that incorporating the character “really helped” with Eleven’s narrative whilst also resolving the “dangling plot thread”. Meanwhile, Matt disclosed they had “something special” prepared for Kali following her limited appearance in season two.

He continued: “I think she’s awesome in the season, so I’m pretty excited about that.”

Stranger Things season 5, volume 2 is released on Netflix UK and Ireland on Boxing Day (December 26) at 1am