Stranger Things Cast Moves On: The Major New Projects After Season 5

As the final season of Stranger Things arrives on Netflix this winter, the show’s cast is not slowing down. With filming complete and the last episodes set to release in three parts, the actors who grew up in Hawkins are now starring in major movies, launching production companies, and building careers across Hollywood.

From superhero franchises to romantic comedies and music tours, the ensemble is making a powerful transition to life after the global phenomenon. Their upcoming projects show a group of actors choosing diverse and ambitious paths.

The Final Season Release Schedule

The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will premiere in three clusters of episodes.

• Volume 1 arrives on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
• Volume 2 follows on Thursday, December 25, 2025.
• The series finale debuts on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

This staggered release concludes a story that began nearly a decade ago. For the cast, it marks the end of a defining chapter in their lives and careers.

Millie Bobby Brown Produces Her First Romantic Comedy

Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, is stepping into a new genre. She will star in and produce the Netflix romantic comedy Just Picture It.

The film follows two college students whose phones glitch, showing them pictures from ten years in the future where they are happily married with kids. Brown leads the film alongside Gabriel LaBelle, with a supporting cast that includes Idina Menzel and Margo Martindale. This project is the latest for Brown’s production company, PCMA Productions, following her work on the Enola Holmes films and Damsel.

Finn Wolfhard Stars in a Stunt Comedy

Finn Wolfhard, known as Mike Wheeler, has lined up his first major post-Stranger Things film role. He will star in the stunt comedy Crash Land.

The movie, written and directed by Dempsey Bryk, follows a group of amateur stunt performers in a small town. Wolfhard will co-star with Gabriel LaBelle and will also produce the film through his production company, Kid Brother Productions. This continues Wolfhard’s work behind the camera, following his directorial debut on the horror-comedy Hell of a Summer in 2025.

David Harbour Joins the Marvel Universe and HBO

David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper, has seen his career transformed by the series. He reflected on the change, stating that the show “ripped apart the whole conception of what I would be,” moving him from supporting roles to leading man status.

Harbour has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Red Guardian, a role he will reprise in the 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday. He is also set to star in a new HBO limited series, the dark comedy DTF St. Louis, alongside Jason Bateman and Linda Cardellini.

Sadie Sink Swings Into a Superhero Role and Theater

Sadie Sink, who portrays Max Mayfield, is set to join a major superhero franchise. She has been cast in the upcoming Marvel film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Alongside her screen work, Sink is establishing herself in theater. Following a Tony-nominated run on Broadway, reports confirm she is preparing for a West End debut in London in 2026.

Caleb McLaughlin Leads an Animated Film

Caleb McLaughlin, known for his role as Lucas Sinclair, is heading into animation. He leads the voice cast of Sony Pictures Animation’s sports comedy Goat, scheduled for release in February 2026.

The film features a star-studded voice cast including Stephen Curry and Viola Davis. This role allows McLaughlin to use the theatrical vocal training he developed from his early career as Young Simba on Broadway.

Diverse Paths for the Rest of the Hawkins Crew

The rest of the cast is pursuing a wide range of creative and personal ventures.

Natalia Dyer, who plays Nancy Wheeler, is taking time to consider her next steps after the series wraps. She has spoken about enjoying a period of personal exploration, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Dyer reflected on the end of this era, calling it “a real coming back to my own life”.

Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson) has focused on theater, completing Broadway runs in Sweeney Todd and Dear Evan Hansen.

Joe Keery (Steve Harrington) has built a successful parallel career as a musician under the name Djo, releasing albums and touring.

Noah Schnapp (Will Byers) is balancing his acting career with studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and has launched a food business.

A Look Back at a Decade-Long Journey

For the adult cast members like David Harbour, the show’s impact was profound. Harbour described his career before the show as a “lovely life” as a respected supporting actor, which changed completely with the global fame of Stranger Things.

“It ripped apart the whole conception of what I would be,” Harbour said of the show’s effect on his life and career.

For the younger stars, who grew up on set, the conclusion is both an ending and a beginning. Natalia Dyer noted the unique experience of spending her entire twenties working on the series, calling it a “wild, magical vibe”. As the final episodes premiere, the cast’s new projects demonstrate they are ready for their next chapters, armed with the experience of a global television phenomenon.

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