After a three-year wait, the final season of Stranger Things has shattered Netflix records, and a specific episode has become a standout hit. The first four episodes of Stranger Things 5 became the biggest premiere week ever for an English-language show on Netflix, pulling in 59.6 million views in its first five days. The fourth episode of the season, titled “Sorcerer,” is the one everyone is talking about, as it delivers a long-awaited and pivotal moment for a beloved character.
The first four episodes launched on November 26, 2025. The massive wave of viewers tuning in was so large it even caused Netflix to briefly freeze during the premiere, despite the company increasing its bandwidth to prepare. Alongside the new season, every past season of the show entered Netflix’s weekly Top 10 list, a first for any series on the platform.
Episode 4 “Sorcerer” and Will Byers’ Major Moment
The climactic fourth episode of Volume 1, “Chapter Four: Sorcerer,” is where the season’s early storylines converge. The episode features Eleven and Hopper trying to find and kill Vecna, while another group tries to save children he is targeting. The most significant event, however, centers on Noah Schnapp’s character, Will Byers.
After being the first victim taken to the Upside Down in Season 1 and suffering a psychic connection to its monsters, Will finally unlocks his own supernatural abilities in this episode. During a major attack on Hawkins by Demogorgons and Vecna, Will discovers he has the power to use telekinesis. He uses this new power to save his friends Mike, Lucas, and Robin from being killed.
“For Will, that moment is like the Holy Grail moment,” actor Noah Schnapp said in an interview about the pivotal scene.
This moment is a major payoff for fans who have followed Will’s difficult journey since the show began in 2016. Critics have noted the episode is a feature-length, action-packed installment that makes extensive use of visual effects. The episode concludes with Vecna revealing his plan to use abducted children as “perfect vessels” to reshape the world, setting the stage for the final battles to come.
The Final Season’s Release Schedule and Big Screen Finale
Stranger Things 5 is being released in three distinct volumes, creating a major event for the holiday season. The schedule is as follows:
- Volume 1 (Episodes 1-4): Released on November 26, 2025.
- Volume 2 (Episodes 5-7): Will be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.
- The Series Finale (Episode 8): Will be released on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025.
Netflix is taking the finale to another level by offering fans a special theatrical experience. The final episode, titled “Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up,” will be shown in over 500 movie theaters across the U.S. and Canada starting on December 31. The finale has a substantial runtime of two hours and five minutes, making it the second-longest episode of the final season.
The show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, along with executive producer Shawn Levy, have expressed excitement about the finale being shown in theaters, stating that the epic conclusion “deservedly” belongs on the big screen. Reservations for these theatrical screenings can be made through Netflix’s dedicated website.
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The Massive Cultural Impact of the Final Season
The record-breaking premiere is the result of a massive, global promotional campaign by Netflix. In the lead-up to the release, the streamer organized fan events in 28 cities across 21 countries. In Los Angeles, a “One Last Ride” cycling event with over 50,000 participants took over Melrose Avenue. The show also had a float with a Demogorgon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Netflix also launched its largest-ever collection of retail partnerships for the show. Fans could find Stranger Things themed products from brands like LEGO, Gatorade, Eggo, Doritos, and Walmart. A special LEGO set featuring the Creel House and character figurines was created to celebrate the final season.
The creators released a statement expressing their gratitude for the fan response. “We are completely overwhelmed by the fan response to this season,” said Matt and Ross Duffer. “It means the world to us, and we know it means just as much to the thousands of cast and crew who poured their blood, sweat, and tears into bringing this story to life”.
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