Stranger Things finale release date, time, how to watch and volume 2 ending explained
Stranger Things finale release date, time, how to watch and volume 2 ending explained – The Stranger Things Season 5 finale will release on December 31, 2025. Netflix will drop the episode at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET. The timing applies to the Americas, including the US, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina.
For viewers in other regions, the episode arrives later due to time zones:
- UK and Europe: January 1, 2026 (early morning)
- Asia: January 1, 2026
- Australia & Oceania: January 1, 2026
Stranger Things Finale global streaming timings worldwide
Here is the streaming timings for all regions:
United States (Pacific Time – PT): December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
United States (Mountain Time – MT): December 31, 2025 at 6:00 PM
United States (Central Time – CT): December 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
United States (Eastern Time – ET): December 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Canada (Toronto, ET): December 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Canada (Vancouver, PT): December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Brazil (São Paulo, BRT): December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Argentina (ART): December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Chile (CLT): December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
United Kingdom (GMT): January 1, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Ireland (GMT): January 1, 2026 at 1:00 AM
France (CET): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Germany (CET): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Italy (CET): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Spain (CET): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Netherlands (CET): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM
South Africa (SAST): January 1, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Turkey (TRT): January 1, 2026 at 4:00 AM
United Arab Emirates (GST): January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Saudi Arabia (AST): January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
India (IST): January 1, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Pakistan (PKT): January 1, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Bangladesh (BST): January 1, 2026 at 7:30 AM
Thailand (ICT): January 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Singapore (SGT): January 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Malaysia (MYT): January 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
China (CST): January 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Hong Kong (HKT): January 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Philippines (PHT): January 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Japan (JST): January 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
South Korea (KST): January 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Australia (AWST – Perth): January 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Australia (ACDT – Adelaide): January 1, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Australia (AEDT – Sydney, Melbourne): January 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM
New Zealand (NZDT): January 1, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Why Stranger Things finale releases separately?
Unlike Volumes 1 and 2, the finale is a standalone episode. Netflix and the Duffer brothers decided to release Episode 8 as a major event. The episode, titled “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up,” runs for 2 hours and 8 minutes, making it the longest in the series.
Stranger Things Season 5 release schedule
Season 5 is divided into three parts:
- Volume 1 (Episodes 1-4): November 26, 2025
- Volume 2 (Episodes 5-7): December 25, 2025
- Finale (Episode 8): December 31, 2025
Stranger Things Finale Episode 8 release date and time
The final episode, “The Rightside Up,” streams on December 31, 2025. It is available at 8 PM EST / 5 PM PST. In Central Time, it streams at 7 PM CST and in Mountain Time, 6 PM MST.
How many episodes are in Stranger Things Season 5?
Season 5 has eight episodes:
- “The Crawl” – November 26
- “The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler” – November 26
- “The Turnbow Trap” – November 26
- “Sorcerer” – November 26
- “Shock Jock” – December 25
- “Escape From Camazotz” – December 25
- “The Bridge” – December 25
- “The Rightside Up” – December 31
How to watch Stranger Things?
Stranger Things is exclusive to Netflix. Viewers need a Netflix subscription to watch. Plans start at $7.99/month for standard with ads and go up to $24.99/month for ad-free 4K UHD streaming.
Stranger Things Volume 2 ending explained
Volume 2 shows the group split across Hawkins, the Upside Down, and Henry Creel’s memories. Vecna continues his plan to merge the real world with the Abyss.
Will’s powers
Will Byers uses powers in Episode 4 to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin. He learns the power is borrowed from Vecna’s hive mind. Will can only use it when Vecna is nearby.
Eleven and Project Indigo
Eleven’s powers come from Henry Creel, the same source as Vecna. Kali explains Dr. Brenner used Henry’s blood in experiments. Dr. Kay now tries to replicate the process, but results fail.
Henry’s past and the Upside Down
Volume 2 explores Henry’s childhood and exposure to unnatural forces. Memories show him attacking a man and encountering a secret experiment in a smoke-filled briefcase, later pulled into the Abyss.
November 6 ritual
Henry gathers kidnapped children at the Creel House for a ritual, showing his method of controlling them. This sets up the finale, which focuses on breaking his control.
Plan to stop Vecna
The group plans to use the radio tower to reach the Abyss. Eleven, Max, and Kali prepare to confront Vecna. Others enter the Upside Down to rescue Holly and the other children.
Eleven’s role
Eleven will use the sensory deprivation tank in Hawkins Lab to reach Vecna’s mind. Kali warns the cycle of superpowered beings may not end if Eleven survives.
How Will can help?
Will comes out as gay, regaining strength from the hive mind. He will join Eleven and Kali in the Upside Down to protect the Party and fight Vecna.
What the finale will cover?
The finale focuses on the plan to destroy the bridge between the worlds, defeat Vecna, and rescue the children. The episode likely continues from Volume 2’s ending with multiple missions.
FAQs
Q1: When is the Stranger Things Season 5 finale released?
A1: The finale, Episode 8 “The Rightside Up,” releases on December 31, 2025, at 8 PM EST / 5 PM PST on Netflix worldwide, with local variations by time zone.
Q2: How can I watch Stranger Things Season 5 finale?
A2: The finale is on Netflix. Viewers need a subscription. Plans start at $7.99/month with ads and go up to $24.99/month for ad-free streaming in 4K UHD.