After nearly a decade, Stranger Things is coming to an end this January, closing the door on an extraordinary run. The series debuted on Netflix in July 2016 and quickly exceeded expectations, becoming one of the platform’s most successful original shows. What began as a nostalgic story about a group of nerdy kids in the 1980s grew into a sprawling narrative involving otherworldly horrors and secret government programs. Along the way, it reignited careers and cemented itself as a cultural touchstone for audiences around the world.
Looking back, it is remarkable to consider just how large the series became. For many viewers, myself included, it is hard to believe that a show first watched all those years ago would grow into something this significant. Now, as the final chapter approaches, there is a shared sense of anticipation about how Stranger Things will ultimately conclude.
Beyond its popularity with fans, the series has been life-changing for the cast and crew who brought it to life. What began as a single season of television evolved into nearly a decade of work, commitment and creative collaboration. Saying goodbye to a project of that length can feel surreal, particularly for those who have spent so much of their careers either in front of or behind the camera.
That sense of finality was evident when speaking with Jamie Campbell Bower about wearing the makeup for Vecna for the final time. Reflecting on the experience, he described how unexpected the moment felt.
“I mean, it was so interesting because I wore both versions of Vecna for the last time this season,” Bower said. “We opened this season with the original version of Vecna. I remember we were putting it on and talking to each other, saying This is not going to be the last time we do this. It cannot be. There is no way they are bringing this version back. We were wrong. We were so wrong.”
He recalled the final day of the makeup process as particularly striking.
“On the last day of that application, it was so weird. We had this room at the studios in Atlanta where we did the test makeup for the original shoot, and it became our little space. We called it Vecna Village,” he said. “I remember walking in on the final day, and all the boxes were gone. Every box was gone. All that was left was a single makeup chair in the middle of the room. That was when it really hit. It was over. The room was cleared out. It was a very strange feeling. It is such a unique experience, because all of a sudden it is just done.”
For someone like Noah Schnapp, the experience may be even more jarring. He began working on Stranger Things at age 12, and spending nearly a decade on a single series is a significant undertaking. It is an experience that has shaped him in ways, regardless of what comes next. Many people will always associate Schnapp with Will Byers, a defining role that marks a major milestone in his career and one that few actors ever experience. Even so, Schnapp remains humble and openly grateful for the opportunity.
“When you live with a character for so long, it almost becomes a part of you,” Schnapp said, reflecting on whether playing Will helped shape who he is today. “That is why it was so hard to say goodbye. It is like saying goodbye to a piece of yourself. It has absolutely shaped me, and I try to be half as great as Will is. He is such a loyal friend, so selfless, caring and compassionate. I try to take as much as I can from him.”
For Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer, the creators of Stranger Things, the series has been a defining milestone in their careers. It is one that has shaped pop culture far beyond what they could have imagined when the first season premiered in 2016.
“We certainly did not imagine this, no,” Ross Duffer said when asked about the show’s cultural impact. “We were shocked that Netflix was even allowing us to make a television show. And if there is a lesson in that, it is that you cannot really manufacture something that is going to resonate worldwide or have lasting cultural impact.”
“I think anytime you try to do that, it ends up feeling forced,” he said. “For us, moving forward, it is about chasing the same feeling we had when we first came up with Stranger Things. We were so excited about the story. We could not wait to get it down on paper. There was a real sense of excitement when the idea clicked. For us, the key is continuing to follow our own instincts and our own voice.”
“Stranger Things debuted as one of Netflix’s breakout hits, helping establish the streaming service as a major force in television.”
When a show grows as large as Stranger Things has since its debut, speculation becomes unavoidable. Fans project theories, predict storylines and dissect every detail, a challenge even for smaller series. On a global phenomenon like Stranger Things, the volume of video essays, online commentary and fan theories can be overwhelming. Even so, the creators have remained firm in their vision and the story they set out to tell, something that can be difficult once a project takes on a life far bigger than its origins.
“I mean, you kind of have to put it out of your mind,” Matt Duffer said when discussing online speculation. “It is not like the internet is unified in what it wants. Everybody wants something different. The demographics for the show are so broad that sometimes it feels like people are watching completely different series.”
“They want completely different outcomes and care about completely different things,” he said. “You have to shut that noise out. When we were writing season one, no one was paying attention to us. So the goal is to get back into that mindset as much as possible. The best way to do that is to close the door and shut out everything else. It is just me, Ross Duffer, and the four writers, talking about what we want to see.”
“You explore different avenues until you land on what feels right to you and what feels right to the people in the room,” he said. “At the end of the day, it is a very small group that the story really has to please. You just hope it resonates beyond that.”
As the series approaches its conclusion in the coming weeks, it is striking to realize that this moment has been nearly a decade in the making. Stranger Things debuted as one of Netflix’s breakout hits, helping establish the streaming service as a major force in television. With the show now a global phenomenon, it is worth reflecting on what went right to allow everything to fall into place.
In conversations with the creators about the long road to this point and what advice they would give their younger selves, a sense of amazement was clearly evident. They spoke openly about the journey, recognizing it as something special and as a defining chapter in their careers.
“I would just say try to enjoy the ride,” Ross Duffer said. “Sometimes it can become overwhelming, and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves in those early years. You are so focused on the work that you forget to enjoy the moment. As it comes to an end, and I think everyone felt this, the cast certainly felt it, and we did too, you realize just how special it was.”
Pausing to laugh with his brother, he continued, “Sometimes you get so lost in the minutiae that you forget that. You forget to enjoy the moment with these amazing people. We are incredibly lucky to be able to tell a story that we all love and believe in.”
With Stranger Things coming to an end, Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer appear ready to move into the next stage of their careers and explore new creative projects.
“Right now, we are excited to make a movie,” Matt Duffer said when discussing what comes next. “That is really why we came out here in the first place. Movies were what we fell in love with as kids. We have since fallen in love with television as well, but it feels exciting to go back and make a film, and specifically to make a movie for theatres.”
Nodding toward his brother, he continued, “It is a new challenge. We have not exercised that muscle in a long time. At the same time, we are also working on a Stranger Things spinoff, which we are extremely excited about, although it is still very early days. Those two projects will be developed in parallel, and the next few years are shaping up to be very different for us.”
No matter how it is viewed, Stranger Things stands as a major landmark in television and one of the most successful series ever produced for a streaming platform. With only four episodes remaining before the story reaches its conclusion, one thing is certain. Millions of viewers will be watching when the final episode arrives on Netflix.
Regardless of how it ends, the series has been an exciting journey. I cannot wait to see how everything ultimately unfolds, and I am sure many readers feel the same way. Stranger Things has been a remarkable ride, and it is just as compelling to consider what lies ahead for the people who brought the series to life and the projects they take on next.
The first three episodes of Netflix’s Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 will release on Christmas Day, 2025. The Stranger Things series finale will release on New Year’s Eve, 2025. Read our Stranger Things Season 5 Part 2 review here.
