How to Watch Stranger Things in Release Order
Although Stranger Things is primarily set in the 1980s, the show itself is only a few years old. To watch the show as the creators intended, follow this order:
Stranger Things Season 1 (2016)
Stranger Things Season 2 (2017)
Stranger Things Season 3 (2019)
Stranger Things Season 4 Part One (2022)
Stranger Things Season 4 Part Two (2022)
Upcoming Release: Stranger Things Season 5
Stranger Things Season 5 is set to premiere in 2025. Netflix confirmed the release on November 6, 2024, during Stranger Things Day. Although the exact date has not been announced, it is expected to be released in the fall of 2025.
Detailed Timeline of Stranger Things
The Stranger Things timeline spans from the founding of Hawkins in the 1800s to the 1970s when Eleven and the other kids were born. Each season takes place over the course of about one week, with new key events adding complexity to the overall story. The complete timeline covers all known events in the series, leading up to the final season and providing clarity on certain aspects.
Season 1: November 1983
Will Byers goes missing on November 6, 1983, after being abducted by the Demogorgon. Eleven escapes from Hawkins Lab.
Joyce reports Will missing, and Eleven meets Mike, Lucas, and Dustin while they are searching for Will.
Barb disappears into the Upside Down.
Hopper discovers the truth about Project MKUltra, and Joyce communicates with Will through Christmas lights.
Hopper discovers the gate to the Upside Down, and Eleven faces the Demogorgon.
Will is rescued by Hopper and Joyce.
Season 2: Late October and Early November 1984
The gang deals with the aftermath of the first season and faces new supernatural threats.
Season 3: Late June and Early July 1985
The summer of 1985 is hot in Hawkins, Indiana. The kids are on the verge of becoming adults, and a new mall opens in town.
A romance develops, and the group must figure out how to grow up without growing apart.
New forces of evil threaten the town, and Eleven and her friends must work together to stay alive.
Season 4: Late March 1986
Six months have passed since the Battle of Starcourt, and the group is split up for the first time.
A new supernatural threat appears, and the gang must work together to save Hawkins.
Episode Titles for Season 5
Netflix has revealed the episode titles for Stranger Things Season 5, which will be set in the fall of 1987.
Episode 1 – The Crawl
Episode 2 – The Vanishing of [Redacted]
Episode 3 – The Turnbow Trap
Episode 4 – Sorcerer
Episode 5 – Shock Jock
Episode 6 – Escape from Camazotz
Episode 7 – The Bridge
Episode 8 – The Rightside Up
Conclusion
Stranger Things has been a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 2016. With the fifth and final season set to premiere in 2025, fans can look forward to the conclusion of the story. The series has become one of Netflix's most successful shows, and the final season is highly anticipated.
Additional Media
In addition to the main series, there are several novels and comics that expand the Stranger Things universe:
The Stranger Things: The Other Side (novel)
Stranger Things: The Sensory Deprivation Tank (novel)
Stranger Things: The Kamchatka Files (comic)
Stranger Things: Erica the Great (graphic novel)