The 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale is almost here. How to watch.
- - USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change.The 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale is almost here. How to watch.
Greta Cross, USA TODAYDecember 30, 2025 at 5:01 AM
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The final "Stranger Things" finale is mere hours away.
The "Stranger Things" Season 5 finale, a two-hour long movie called "Rightside Up" premieres on Netflix and in hundreds of movie theaters on Wednesday, Dec. 31 – New Year's Eve.
The finale title is a play on The Upside Down, the decaying parallel world that mirrors Hawkins, Indiana, introduced in Season 1. However, The Upside Down may be different than viewers originally thought, as explained throughout the latest season.
The highly-anticipated finale season hasn't chalked up to what all fans hoped it would be, with some arguing the season doesn't propel the story in a satisfying way. The seventh episode of Season 5 has been the most controversial because Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) comes out as gay to his friends. Some believe Will's coming out scene was awkward and as of Dec. 29, the episode has a 5.5 out of 10 score on IMDb, the lowest rating for an episode in "Stranger Things" history.
Here's how to watch "Rightside Up" at home and in theaters this New Year's Eve.
Scroll through for photos from the LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre
on Nov. 6, 2025, starting with Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>For fans that have been keeping "the door open three inches" since "Stranger Things" last released new episodes in 2022, you're in luck. Season 5 is arriving on Netflix starting Nov. 26, and the stars are out in Hollywood celebrating the acclaimed show's final season.Scroll through for photos from the LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre
on Nov. 6, 2025, starting with Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7GQ5iP8ocrsvlDYA_bI5NA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/20ff9d6e626099d82ff833417fffa5a3 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
For fans that have been keeping "the door open three inches" since "Stranger Things" last released new episodes in 2022, you're in luck. Season 5 is arriving on Netflix starting Nov. 26, and the stars are out in Hollywood celebrating the acclaimed show's final season.Scroll through for photos from the LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre
on Nov. 6, 2025, starting with Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.
">For fans that have been keeping "the door open three inches" since "Stranger Things" last released new episodes in 2022, you're in luck. Season 5 is arriving on Netflix starting Nov. 26, and the stars are out in Hollywood celebrating the acclaimed show's final season.Scroll through for photos from the LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre
on Nov. 6, 2025, starting with Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7GQ5iP8ocrsvlDYA_bI5NA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/20ff9d6e626099d82ff833417fffa5a3 class=caas-img>Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0YLYvuL9Q.P4Z3O3jn30uw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d33dda484f9dedc901df47bee66815c class=caas-img data-headline="Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour attend final 'Stranger Things' premiere" data-caption="
Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour
">Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0YLYvuL9Q.P4Z3O3jn30uw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d33dda484f9dedc901df47bee66815c class=caas-img>Millie Bobby Brown 6 Theatres on Nov. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/WQZgXLfrUpX4FbUA_fvVvA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/92061a2a6cfa5c60d06596db1b8633cf class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Millie Bobby Brown 6 Theatres on Nov. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
">Millie Bobby Brown 6 Theatres on Nov. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/WQZgXLfrUpX4FbUA_fvVvA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/92061a2a6cfa5c60d06596db1b8633cf class=caas-img>Noah Schnapp
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rGhogRf4yHdq2CkNU9I3Xw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4a4f01c020ebd51c2120b2ab1ec122a7 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Noah Schnapp
">Noah Schnapp
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rGhogRf4yHdq2CkNU9I3Xw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4a4f01c020ebd51c2120b2ab1ec122a7 class=caas-img>Gaten Matarazzo
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JEbGRQ2K89xF41QjQryDXQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f05252dca3b8be916912f74ac1dbc56 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Gaten Matarazzo
">Gaten Matarazzo
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JEbGRQ2K89xF41QjQryDXQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7f05252dca3b8be916912f74ac1dbc56 class=caas-img>Finn Wolfhard
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Bl8RWocJdrDM.Xa85ZFgjw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5a441b5dcf56e5a1623b9c6b5daf6f90 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Finn Wolfhard
">Finn Wolfhard
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Bl8RWocJdrDM.Xa85ZFgjw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzU3/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5a441b5dcf56e5a1623b9c6b5daf6f90 class=caas-img>Scott Mackinlay Hahn and Winona Ryder
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/130LekrNoWha57_CnThvFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dcdc47c1cda97ec904788c92d3cba3 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Scott Mackinlay Hahn and Winona Ryder
">Scott Mackinlay Hahn and Winona Ryder
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/130LekrNoWha57_CnThvFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97dcdc47c1cda97ec904788c92d3cba3 class=caas-img>Sadie Sink
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hd_axDgraFjylyInn4LeMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzcz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/715717e679b3077734b897b8234da8b1 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Sadie Sink
">Sadie Sink
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/hd_axDgraFjylyInn4LeMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzcz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/715717e679b3077734b897b8234da8b1 class=caas-img>Matthew Modine
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jgh_4wCGsJZUJeEIFENu4g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ed1bb74f1647b2a4e0cef9f727cb9d6b class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Matthew Modine
">Matthew Modine
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Jgh_4wCGsJZUJeEIFENu4g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODA2/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ed1bb74f1647b2a4e0cef9f727cb9d6b class=caas-img>
Caleb McLaughlin
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/WjSU4wj2037a6rKkWIYg.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/180a3d764853f644bd127018a3c2b992 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Caleb McLaughlin
">Caleb McLaughlin
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/WjSU4wj2037a6rKkWIYg.A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/180a3d764853f644bd127018a3c2b992 class=caas-img>Jamie Campbell Bower
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/StIKlIbZxXjdI03qJR4eog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7779a99713e78a1653371863e429fba class=caas-img data-headline="Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour attend final 'Stranger Things' premiere" data-caption="
Jamie Campbell Bower
">Jamie Campbell Bower
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/StIKlIbZxXjdI03qJR4eog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d7779a99713e78a1653371863e429fba class=caas-img>Jamie Campbell Bower
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uUBCHz.Q5K6fY8J58c_fEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79c80f8915e5041e0954e92259353847 class=caas-img data-headline="Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November" data-caption="
Jamie Campbell Bower
">Jamie Campbell Bower
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uUBCHz.Q5K6fY8J58c_fEQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/79c80f8915e5041e0954e92259353847 class=caas-img>Cara Buono
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rnxqNF7UeR9CxhiDX7KJrw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8a470b1f945df96c23cec231231222f3 class=caas-img data-headline="Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour attend final 'Stranger Things' premiere" data-caption="
Cara Buono
">Cara Buono
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/rnxqNF7UeR9CxhiDX7KJrw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8a470b1f945df96c23cec231231222f3 class=caas-img>Shawn Levy
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3WxA.NMsJv4s0zB1TgRa_w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/52d4dcb0594498d8c9ebd157da16f86a class=caas-img data-headline="Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour attend final 'Stranger Things' premiere" data-caption="
Shawn Levy
">Shawn Levy
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3WxA.NMsJv4s0zB1TgRa_w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/52d4dcb0594498d8c9ebd157da16f86a class=caas-img>Gaten Matarazzo
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oSAdphUTQhYUcHQZGWH3lg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/433153f0f179f2fcc2e67f4170be14bb class=caas-img data-headline="Sadie Sink, Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour attend final 'Stranger Things' premiere" data-caption="
Gaten Matarazzo
">Gaten Matarazzo
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/oSAdphUTQhYUcHQZGWH3lg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY1/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/433153f0f179f2fcc2e67f4170be14bb class=caas-img>
1 / 17Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo and Robert Pattinson in the best celebrity photos from November
For fans that have been keeping "the door open three inches" since "Stranger Things" last released new episodes in 2022, you're in luck. Season 5 is arriving on Netflix starting Nov. 26, and the stars are out in Hollywood celebrating the acclaimed show's final season.Scroll through for photos from the LA premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre
on Nov. 6, 2025, starting with Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour.
Television: 'Stranger Things' star shoots down claims of cut scenes in Season 5
Review: Will Byers comes out on 'Stranger Things,' is it awkward or empowering?
When does the 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale release?
The "Stranger Things" Season 5 finale, or "The Rightside Up," releases on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The first seven episodes of the season are already on Netflix.
How to watch 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale at home
If watching at home, "The Rightside Up" is only available on Netflix. The movie premieres on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Maya Hawke, Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, Brett Gelman, Natalia Dyer, Amybeth McNulty, Sadie Sink and Millie Bobby Brown in "Stranger Things" Season 5.'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale to play in select movie theaters
"Rightside Up" will also be screened in more than 500 movie theaters on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, according to a Netflix news release.
Tickets are available for purchase on the "Stranger Things" Season 5 finale website at st5finale.com. Fans can find screenings near them by searching a ZIP code. Ticket prices vary by theater.
How long is the 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale?
The runtime for "Rightside Up" is 2 hours and 5 minutes, according to a Netflix news release.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to watch 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale at home, in theaters
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
