Stranger Things season 6 isn't happening, but there's more on the way

After almost 10 years and five larger than life seasons, Stranger Things comes to an end with its final episodes in 2025. We never imagined this day would come so quickly, especially since the three-year wait for the final season felt agonizing. But the end has finally arrived, and it's going to be one of the worst television breakups for many fans around the world.

Following the release of Stranger Things 5 volume 2 on Dec. 25, the natural question for most viewers will be what's happening next for the series. Well, for those who still might be confused, there's no season 6 on the way. When it's all said and done, don't expect another season of the series. Still, that doesn't mean that this is the end of the universe.

Between the super-sized series finale episode and some exciting projects that are in the works, there's still a lot for Stranger Things fans to look forward to in the near and distant future. Even though season 6 isn't happening and the story of our Hawkins heroes concludes soon, here's what we have coming up next year and beyond.

Stranger Things series finale release date and time

Now that season 5 volume 2 arrived as the best Christmas present Netflix has ever given us, the Stranger Things series finale drops on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET. Before the ball drops and 2025 turns into 2026, we will have found out how the series ends (well, in some parts of the world, at least). "The Rightside Up" reveals all on New Year's Eve.

The episode, which has a length of 2 hours and 8 minutes, will also be available to watch in movie theaters beginning on Dec. 31, with additional showing available on New Year's Day. It's the first episode of the series to be available theatrically in a first of its kind release strategy for Netflix. It's sure to put up some impressive viewership and box office numbers!

Stranger Things spinoffs are in the works at Netflix

Here's what everyone really wants to know. When are those long-teased spinoffs coming to Netflix?! Well, the first one's up to bat in 2026, but don't get too excited yet. It's not a live-action spinoff. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is an animated series based on the young characters from the series (but not voiced by the real actors) and finds the youngsters battling new monsters.

In addition to the animated spinoff, the Duffer Brothers have also teased more spinoff series in the works at Netflix. Even though the creators will leave Netflix and begin a new chapter of the careers creating films and series at Paramount, they will remain involved in bringing the next phase of Stranger Things to life, which they have been developing for quite some time.

A live-action Stranger Things spinoff separate from Tales from '85 is in development at Netflix, though not much has been officially revealed. There's no title, concept, casting, or any details yet, but we hope those will arrive now that the original series has ended. We shouldn't expect any live-action spinoff series to premiere on Netflix in 2026, but hopefully work will being soon.

Finn Wolfhard previously described the spinoff concept as an anthology set within the same universe, but not tied at all to Hawkins. That's about all that's vaguely known about a potential live-action spinoff. Again, nothing has been officially ordered to series at Netflix. Let's keep our fingers crossed than an actual announcement arrives shortly after the series finale.

Watch Stranger Things on Netflix.