It has been a year, and a half since Netflix rolled out its advertising-supported tier. Despite fears that Netflix’s new changes might cause it to fall behind rivals with streaming bundles and a more vast content portfolio, the platform has actually turned things around with a 34% bump in subscriptions from the previous quarter. After topping all earnings expectations, the streaming giant decided to finally lay its cards on the table for its most popular original series, Stranger Things, with a big update on the cinematic final showdown.

The update came from Netflix's big boss himself, providing some respite to fans anticipating Stranger Things season 5 for two years.

Netflix's CEO, Ted Sarandos, recently discussed all that the streaming platform has in store for its original content in 2024 and 2025. During the Netflix Q2 2024 Earnings Interview on July 18, Sarandos directly promised the release of Stranger Things Season 5 in 2025. Even though the 59-year-old did not delve into the specifics of the schedule, fans can breathe easily knowing the season will not be pushed past 2025, which was a genuine fear given the production delays that have plagued Stranger Things. 

Apart from Stranger Things, Ted Sarandos also confirmed the 2025 release window for the sequels to One Piece and Wednesday, which have not been without their own share of hiccups either. Despite the delays, Stranger Things has treated fans to various teasers and updates, from script leaks to wild speculations about who might meet their end to bring the story of Hawkins full circle.

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The show recently dropped another big tease, leaving the Stranger Things fandom feeling anxious ahead of the release.  

Every season of Stranger Things has left fans with a sinking feeling in their hearts. From Bob and Billy to Eddie and Alexei, each season has ended with some gut-wrenching deaths. With Season 5 on the way, fans are already bracing for the worst, especially after the Stranger Things creators recently hinted at something unfortunate in store for Will Byers' character.

Recent shots from the Season 5 set showed Will appearing detached from the Hawkins gang. While he has been somewhat isolated since the very first season, the snippets sparked a fear that Will might become the ultimate sacrificial lamb in the fight against Vecna. Fans will have to wait until 2025 to see how this unfolds, now that Stranger Things Season 5 finally has a release window. 

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What do you think about this Stranger Things season 5 update? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!