Stranger Things season five: new trailer teases Vecna showdown — first four episodes land Nov 26

Netflix released a new trailer for Stranger Things season five that ramps up the stakes: Vecna returns, Demogorgons pour into Hawkins, and the town faces a militarized showdown. The teaser mixes action, explosions and darkly familiar character beats, setting the stage for the series finale.

The trailer includes tense moments and a pointed line from Dustin: “I wanna see Vecna’s heart on a platter.” Fans also see the gang preparing a plan to confront Vecna — and a dramatic sequence where Steve drives his car into an Upside Down portal with Dustin, Nancy and Jonathan aboard.

Release schedule

• First four episodes premiere on Wednesday, November 26 at 8PM ET — perfect for a Thanksgiving‑weekend binge.
• Three more episodes drop on December 25 (Christmas Day).
• The series finale arrives on December 31, with limited theatrical screenings alongside the Netflix release.

After nine years and four prior seasons, many viewers are hoping the Duffer Brothers and Netflix can deliver a satisfying conclusion. The new trailer keeps expectations high with big set pieces and emotional stakes; we’ll get our first look at how the season begins when the initial episodes land later this week.

Watch Stranger Things on Netflix (opens in a new tab): Netflix — Stranger Things. For more coverage and the trailer breakdown, see the original reporting (opens in a new tab): Engadget.

Discussion: Which character are you most worried about heading into season five — and do you expect the Duffer Brothers to stick the landing in the final episodes?