Stranger Things 5: Final episode runtimes revealed ahead of Christmas release

Stranger Things Season 5 new episode runtime revealed

Stranger Things fans finally know exactly how much time they will be spending in Hawkins this Christmas, and it is safe to say the goodbye will not be a quick one.

Ross Duffer, who created the hit Netflix series alongside his brother Matt Duffer, has revealed the final runtimes for the last batch of episodes, giving viewers a clearer picture of what lies ahead in the show’s emotional endgame.

The three episodes that make up Stranger Things 5 Vol. 2 will together run for just under three and a half hours.

Episode 5, “Shock Jock,” comes in at 1 hour and 8 minutes, followed by Episode 6, “Escape From Camazotz,” which is the longest of the three at 1 hour and 15 minutes. Episode 7, “The Bridge,” runs for 1 hour and 6 minutes, setting the stage for what promises to be a powerful and tense run-up to the finale.

With Vol. 2 dropping on Christmas Day, fans can expect a festive binge that is anything but cosy.

Ross Duffer also shared a small but intriguing update about the very last episode. The series finale, titled “Stranger Things: The Finale — The Rightside Up,” will now run for two hours and eight minutes, slightly longer than originally planned.

Previously, Ross Duffer offered insight into what makes each episode special. “Shock Jock” picks up immediately after the Vol. 1 finale, “Sorcerer,” and he described writer Frank Darabont’s contribution as “far darker and far scarier” than his earlier episode, “Turnbow Trap.” “Escape From Camazotz” brings director Shawn Levy back behind the camera and, according to Ross Duffer, “It’s the biggest episode of the three — and the performances make us cry every time we watch it.” Little has been revealed about “The Bridge,” but Ross Duffer noted that “aside from the finale, it’s probably the most emotional chapter of the season,” adding, “It’s gonna be a long six-day wait for the finale…”

Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 Review: Hawkins faces its darkest threat yet in final season

The finale itself will be treated as a major event, streaming on Netflix while also screening in 500 cinemas across the US on Dec. 31, before continuing into Jan. 1, 2026.

As Matt Duffer explained, the heart of the show has always been its characters. “At the end of the day, what people care about are the characters… If you can have those two collide simultaneously, that’s the ultimate.”