Get ready for a thrilling ride as Stranger Things season 5 finally unveils its episode runtimes—but they might not be what you expected. Contrary to the wild rumors circulating, the first four episodes aren’t the two-hour epics fans were led to believe. Instead, series co-creator Ross Duffer has set the record straight, revealing a mix of lengths that still promise to pack a punch. Here’s the breakdown: the season premiere, The Crawl, clocks in at a solid 1 hour and 8 minutes, while episode 2, The Vanishing of …, is a brisk 54 minutes. Episode 3, The Turnbow Trap, stretches to 1 hour and 6 minutes, and episode 4, Sorcerer, delivers a hefty 1 hour and 23 minutes. These episodes, forming the first volume of the final season, drop on November 26, with Volume 2 (three episodes) arriving on Christmas Day and the series finale on New Year’s Eve. But here’s where it gets controversial: while these runtimes aren’t as long as the rumors suggested, could the series finale still surprise us with a feature-length episode? Only time will tell.
And this is the part most people miss: even as Stranger Things wraps up, the franchise is far from over. Several follow-up projects are already in the works, including the animated series Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 and a potential spin-off with Twin Peaks vibes. But here’s the twist: the Duffer brothers have parted ways with Netflix, signing a massive deal with Paramount instead. In a heartfelt statement, they expressed their excitement about joining a studio with such a storied legacy, calling it the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Yet, this shift raises questions: will their new projects retain the magic of Stranger Things, or are we in for a bold new direction? Let’s discuss—what are your thoughts on the Duffer brothers’ move to Paramount? Does it spell success, or could it be a risky gamble? Share your opinions below!
