Netflix has released a trailer for the Stranger Things finale
The Hawkins gang wraps up their adventure tomorrow at 8PM ET
Netflix has just released the final trailer for Stranger Things 5, giving us one last, terrifying glimpse at the Hawkins gang before the series finale drops tomorrow. After a staggered release schedule that saw Volume 1 hit Thanksgiving and Volume 2 dominate the Christmas conversation, the Duffer Brothers are wrapping up their decade-long saga with a massive, movie-length event on New Year’s Day.
Here is everything we know from the new footage and what to expect when the clock strikes 8 PM tomorrow.
🎥 The Final Trailer: "The Rightside Up"
The new 90-second teaser, released just hours ago, is heavy on atmosphere and light on mercy. It doesn't spoil the ending, but it sets the stakes higher than they’ve ever been.
Key moments spotted in the trailer:
The War for Hawkins Lab: The trailer opens with military Hummers swarming the ruins of Hawkins Lab. We see a massive explosion rocking the facility—likely a diversion created by Hopper, Kali, and Murray to buy Eleven time.
Dustin’s Heartbreak: In a shot that is already trending on social media, we see a scream-inducing clip of Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) being physically held back by Steve, looking at something off-screen with absolute devastation. (Please, Duffer Brothers, spare Steve Harrington).
Into the Abyss: We get a visual confirmation of the "Abyss"—the darker, deeper realm revealed in Volume 2. The gang is shown gearing up to enter this wormhole directly to rescue the kidnapped victims and confront Henry Creel (Vecna) in his own domain.
Max is Back in the Fight: After escaping Henry's mind in Volume 2, Max (Sadie Sink) is shown standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Eleven, seemingly ready to use her knowledge of Vecna's psyche to help take him down.
⚡ Where We Left Off (Volume 2 Recap)
If you need a quick refresher before tomorrow night, Volume 2 (released Dec 26) changed the game entirely.
We learned that the Upside Down isn't just a mirror dimension; it’s a wormhole connecting realities. Will Byers has fully reconnected with the Hive Mind (and finally opened up to Mike about his feelings, robbing Vecna of that emotional leverage). The penultimate episode ended with the revelation that Vecna intends to merge the Abyss with the real world, effectively rewriting reality.
📅 Release Date & How to Watch
Unlike previous seasons where episodes dropped in the morning, Netflix is treating this like a primetime broadcast event.
Release Date: Tomorrow, January 1, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
Episode Title: "Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up"
Runtime: 2 Hours, 8 Minutes
Theatrical Experience: If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket, the finale is also screening in over 600 theaters across the US and Canada tomorrow night. Reports indicate over 1.1 million fans RSVP'd for these screenings, making it one of the largest theatrical TV events in history.
🔮 The End of an Era
The episode title, "The Rightside Up," is a direct poetic mirror to the Season 1 finale, "The Upside Down." It hints at closure—a restoration of balance. But as we know with Stranger Things, balance usually demands a heavy sacrifice.
Clear your schedule, grab your Eggos, and prepare for emotional damage. We’ll see you in Hawkins one last time.
Are you ready for the end? Let us know your finale theories in the comments below!
