‘Stranger Things’ Wraps Production on Fifth and Final Season

It’s time to say goodbye to the Upside Down.

Netflix announced on Friday that Stranger Things season five has officially wrapped production, 11 months after the cast and crew returned to Atlanta on Jan. 8 to begin filming the final season of the beloved series.

“We’ve been telling this story for nearly a decade now,” co-creator Ross Duffer wrote in an Instagram post. “Many of our cast members joined us when they were kids, just ten or eleven years old. It wasn’t just a show for them — it was a defining part of their childhood. They’ve grown up before our eyes, becoming more than actors — they’ve become family.”

He added, “But it’s not just the cast we consider family. Our crew — many of whom have been with us from the very beginning — holds a special place in our hearts. Their dedication and passion have been the backbone of this journey. Everyone involved was determined to bring this story to a satisfying conclusion. They poured their hearts and souls into it, and we couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished. We can’t wait to share it with you all next year. Until then — over and out.”

Duffer wasn’t the only Stranger Things team member to take to social media and share their thoughts after filming had ended. Noah Schnapp, who plays Will Byers, also posted a carousel on Instagram with a lengthy caption, reflecting on his time as one of the show’s main characters.

“Two days ago, I wrapped my final scene as Will Byers, and I’m feeling very emotional,” he began. “As I close this chapter of my life, I can’t help but be forever grateful for the incredible people that I’ve met and valuable life/career lessons I learned through this decade journey.”

He then went on to share the top 10 things he learned from the crew and his fellow castmembers, including Shawn Levy, the Duffer brothers, Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink and Charlie Heaton.

“Growing up I always felt like an outcast, unsure of where I fit in,” he continued in the lengthy caption. “Navigating life in the spotlight while carrying this feeling, through every awkward phase and embarrassing moment exposed for the world to see, has definitely been an unusual experience. But I’ve been honored to share it with my incredible co-stars, who understand it in a way that no one else can.”

Schnapp concluded, “Stranger Things was more than a job; it was a lifelong dream. A dream made reality thanks to the Duffers. Thank you for taking a chance on me when I was just a 10 year old kid and entrusting me with something so important to you both. Together, this cast + crew has built something so very special, and I couldn’t be any more excited for the world to see the final chapter. Stranger Things is a never ending story for me — it’s in my heart forever.”

Wolfhard, who portrays Mike Wheeler, shared he was still “in shock” that they had wrapped filming on the series.

“We shot it for a year and I’ll miss all of my friends and our characters terribly,” he wrote on Instagram. “When I think of the show, I picture this first photo. A bunch of goofy young people making something they think is cool but really have no clue what’s to come. I feel like we’re still those people and I’m lucky to still stand beside them today. I hope you’ll love this season as much as I do. See you all next year.”

Brown, who takes on the role of pivotal character Eleven, shared a carousel of photos of herself in character over the years but kept the caption short, writing “with love, el.”

Netflix announced the episode titles for season five in November, giving a little bit of insight into what fans can expect: “The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of _,” “The Turnbow Trap,” “Sorcerer,” “Shock Jock,” “Escape From Camazotz,” “The Bridge” and “The Rightside Up.”

While the streamer revealed all eight titles, it seemingly censored out part of the second one’s title, “The Vanishing Of.” This could mean that Netflix isn’t ready to reveal who or what is vanishing, or it could simply be a throwback to the premiere episode, “The Vanishing of Will Byers.”

The final season of the hit series will have a time jump and pick up a little over a year after the events of Stranger Things season four to the fall of 1987, when it debuts some time next year.