Netflix is delivering a major Christmas surprise this year. The second part of the final season of Stranger Things has arrived. The show’s fifth season is being released in three separate volumes. The first four episodes came out in November. Now, episodes five, six, and seven are available to stream on Netflix . This release leads directly into the final episode, which will arrive on New Year’s Eve .
For viewers in the United States, Volume 2 officially premiered on December 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. This translates to 5:00 PM Pacific Time on the same day. Because of the way Netflix handles global releases, fans in many other parts of the world will find the episodes waiting for them on the morning of December 26. This release schedule sets the stage for the show’s ultimate conclusion just a few days later.
When to Watch in Your Region
The new episodes of Stranger Things become available at the same moment everywhere, but local clocks show different times. The release is synchronized to 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time on December 25.
Here is when the show will go live in several key regions:
- United States (East Coast): 8:00 PM EST, December 25 .
- United Kingdom: 1:00 AM GMT, December 26 .
- Central Europe (Germany, France): 2:00 AM CET, December 26 .
- India: 6:30 AM IST, December 26 .
- Australia (East Coast): 11:00 AM AEST, December 26 .
- Japan: 10:00 AM JST, December 26 .
What to Expect in Volume 2: Episode Titles and Runtimes
The three new episodes continue the show’s trend of long, movie-like runtimes. Fans should prepare for another substantial binge-watch session. The total runtime for Volume 2 is just under three and a half hours .
The official titles and confirmed runtimes for the new episodes are :
- Episode 5: “Shock Jock” – 1 hour, 8 minutes
- Episode 6: “Escape from Camazotz” – 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Episode 7: “The Bridge” – 1 hour, 6 minutes
Series co-creator Ross Duffer shared some details about what to expect from these chapters. He noted that “Shock Jock” starts right where the previous episode ended and is described as “far darker, and far scarier” . He said “Escape from Camazotz” is “the biggest episode of the three” and that its performances were emotionally powerful for the creators . Of “The Bridge,” Duffer said it is likely the most emotional part of the season aside from the finale itself .
Story Recap and What Comes Next
Volume 1 ended with major cliffhangers that Volume 2 will address. The town of Hawkins is under strict military quarantine, and the hunt for Eleven continues . A major twist saw Will Byers manifest new psychic abilities, using them to save his friends . Meanwhile, Vecna has kidnapped several children, including Holly Wheeler, for a mysterious plan involving “perfect vessels” . Max Mayfield remains trapped within Vecna’s psychic world, where she has met the captured Holly .
The upcoming episodes will see the core group split across different battles. Eleven and Hopper are in the Upside Down trying to rescue Holly . Will must learn to control his new powers as the fight against Vecna intensifies . Max and Holly will attempt to find a way out of the mind prison known as Camazotz . The season also marks the return of Kali, another test subject from Hawkins Lab, who is expected to aid in the final battle .
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The Finale and a Special Theatrical Event
The story does not end with Volume 2. The series finale, Episode 8: “The Rightside Up,” will be released on December 31, 2025. It will premiere on Netflix at the same time: 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST. This final chapter is the longest in the show’s history, with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes.
For the first time, Netflix is offering a unique way to experience the ending. The finale will have a simultaneous release in select movie theaters across the United States and Canada . This special event begins at the same time as the streaming release on New Year’s Eve and will continue with screenings through January 1, 2026 . This allows fans the option to watch the conclusion of the global phenomenon on the big screen.
Also Read: Merry Christmas: 6 TV Series and Specials to Watch on Christmas Night with Your Family
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