After nearly three years of anticipation, Stranger Things is finally returning — and the Duffer Brothers have a special assignment for fans before diving into the show’s epic conclusion. With Season 5, Volume 1 premiering on November 26, the creators have confirmed that four specific episodes from past seasons are “essential viewing” to fully grasp the mythology and emotional stakes of the final season.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that these episodes — spanning Seasons 2 and 4 — are critical for understanding where the story began, how the Upside Down evolved, and what’s coming for Eleven, Will, and Vecna in the long-awaited finale.
“Season 2 is when we really started to build out the mythology,” Matt Duffer explained. “That’s where we planted the seeds for everything that’s coming now.”
So, before the gates of the Upside Down reopen, here’s the official re-watch list that Stranger Things creators say fans shouldn’t skip.
Series Overview: Stranger Things Season 5
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Stranger Things |
| Season | 5 (Final Season) |
| Volume 1 Premiere | November 26, 2025 |
| Volume 2 Release | December 25, 2025 |
| Finale Episode | December 31, 2025 |
| Creators | Matt and Ross Duffer |
| Executive Producers | Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Iain Paterson, Curtis Gwinn |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Episodes in Final Season | 8 total (4 in Vol. 1, 3 in Vol. 2, 1 finale) |
| Genre | Sci-Fi / Horror / Drama |
The Four Episodes to Rewatch Before Stranger Things Season 5
With nearly a decade of storytelling and four intense seasons behind it, Stranger Things has built a dense mythology. The Duffer Brothers narrowed it down to four episodes that best capture the essential narrative threads connecting to Season 5’s endgame.
| Season | Episode Title |
|---|---|
| Season 2, Episode 4 — “Will the Wise” | Shows Will’s possession by the Mind Flayer, a key link between the Upside Down and Hawkins. |
| Season 2, Episode 6 — “The Spy” | Explores how the Mind Flayer uses Will as a conduit — pivotal to understanding Will’s continued connection in Season 5. |
| Season 4, Episode 7 — “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” | Reveals Vecna’s origin and his connection to Eleven and the creation of the Upside Down. |
| Season 4, Episode 9 — “The Piggyback” | Sets up the current conflict — Vecna’s survival, Max’s fate, and the opening of the gate that merges Hawkins with the Upside Down. |
“Season 4 is also highly relevant,” Matt Duffer said. “‘Massacre at Hawkins Lab’ really begins to unveil some of the mythology, while ‘The Piggyback’ ties it directly to where we’re headed.”
Ross Duffer added,
“The stuff with Henry, Eleven, and the Upside Down continues to resonate throughout Season 5. Those are good ones to revisit.”
Season 2: The Birth of the Mythology
While Season 1 established the mystery of the Upside Down, the Duffer Brothers say Season 2 is where the show’s mythology truly took root.
Episodes “Will the Wise” and “The Spy” are particularly significant because they reveal the Mind Flayer’s control over Will and its intent to infiltrate the human world — a thread that remains central to Season 5.
In “Will the Wise,” directed by Shawn Levy, the series showed Will being fully overtaken by the Mind Flayer’s influence. By “The Spy,” that control evolves into a chilling espionage plot — as the entity uses Will to track and manipulate Hawkins Lab.
“That’s when we realized Stranger Things wasn’t just about monsters,” Matt Duffer said. “It was about invasion — psychological and interdimensional.”
The events of these episodes will echo directly into the final season, as Will’s connection to the Upside Down — both physical and psychic — resurfaces.
Season 4: The Rise of Vecna and the Cracks in Reality
Fast forward to Season 4, where Stranger Things transformed from small-town horror into cosmic terror. The two episodes singled out by the Duffer Brothers — “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” and “The Piggyback” — lay the groundwork for everything Season 5 will resolve.
“The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” (Episode 7) unveils the chilling backstory of Vecna (Henry Creel / One) and his pivotal connection to Eleven. It’s the first time viewers see how Eleven accidentally banished him into the Upside Down, inadvertently creating the monster now threatening her world.
“That’s the genesis of everything,” Ross Duffer explained. “The moment when Henry becomes Vecna and the Upside Down begins to evolve into what it is.”
Meanwhile, the Season 4 finale, “The Piggyback,” ends with Vecna’s apparent defeat — but also with his plan succeeding. The episode’s final moments show Hawkins collapsing as four massive gates merge, signalling the beginning of the end.
“It’s not over,” Matt Duffer warned. “Vecna’s presence is everywhere. The Piggyback is where everything starts to unravel — and that’s where Season 5 begins.”
Shawn Levy Promises a Satisfying Finale
While fans have anxiously awaited answers about Max’s condition, the Upside Down’s origin, and Eleven’s powers, executive producer Shawn Levy assured that Stranger Things’ final season won’t leave any mysteries unresolved.
“There are so many unanswered questions,” Levy told The Hollywood Reporter. “But thankfully, we have showrunners who really care about satisfying the audience and not leaving core questions unanswered.”
Levy added that the creative team is determined to give fans a “great ending” — one that’s emotionally fulfilling and true to the characters.
“Shows that leave you hanging never fade from memory. But a great finale — one that sticks the landing — is something you never forget.”
Season 5: The Final Chapter of Hawkins
Season 5 will bring Stranger Things to a close after nearly a decade of defining 1980s nostalgia and sci-fi storytelling.
Netflix confirmed that the season will unfold in two parts, leading up to a grand finale on December 31, 2025.
| Volume | Release Date | Episodes | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | November 26, 2025 | 4 episodes | The setup: Hawkins on the brink and Vecna’s return. |
| Vol. 2 | December 25, 2025 | 3 episodes | The battle: Eleven, Will, and the team fight for survival. |
| Series Finale | December 31, 2025 | 1 episode | The end of the Upside Down — and possibly Hawkins itself. |
Season 5 is expected to conclude the arcs of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Will (Noah Schnapp), Max (Sadie Sink), and the rest of the Hawkins crew — tying together threads from every previous season.
What Fans Can Expect?
The Duffer Brothers have teased that the final season will be “bigger, darker, and faster” than anything the series has done before. They promise answers to long-running mysteries — from the creation of the Upside Down to Vecna’s ultimate plan.
“Season 5 is the culmination of everything,” Matt Duffer said. “Every episode has weight, every choice has a consequence, and every sacrifice matters.”
While plot details remain under wraps, the Duffers confirmed that Season 5 will open “in full chaos” — picking up moments after the Season 4 finale and throwing Hawkins into an all-out war between worlds.
Conclusion
With the final chapter of Stranger Things nearly here, the Duffer Brothers are making sure fans are ready for what’s next. Their four-episode rewatch list offers more than nostalgia — it’s the key to understanding how Hawkins’ past will shape its fate.
As the final battle against Vecna looms, one thing is certain: Stranger Things began as a love letter to 1980s sci-fi, and it will end as one of the most iconic television stories of its era.
Prepare your Eggos — the end of the Upside Down begins November 26.
FAQs
Volume 1 premieres November 26, 2025, followed by Volume 2 on December 25, and the finale on December 31.
The Duffers recommend:
Season 2, Episode 4: “Will the Wise”
Season 2, Episode 6: “The Spy”
Season 4, Episode 7: “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”
Season 4, Episode 9: “The Piggyback”
Yes. Executive producer Shawn Levy confirmed that the finale will resolve every major storyline.
Eight total — four in Volume 1, three in Volume 2, and one final standalone episode.
The Duffers have hinted at Stranger Things-related projects in development at Netflix, but none will continue the story of Eleven or Hawkins directly.
