‘Stranger Things 5’ Is ‘Major Cinematic Storytelling’ and ‘As Big as Any of the Biggest Movies That We See,’ Says EP Shawn Levy

Stranger Things 4 pushed television episode lengths to extremes, with two chapters that ran around 90 minutes, and a season finale that was the length of a Hollywood blockbuster at nearly two-and-a-half hours. Anyone thinking the upcoming fifth and final season of the Netflix series will scale things back is mistaken. Speaking to Total Film magazine, Stranger Things executive producer and director Shawn Levy said Season 5 will only expand the scale of the already-humungous Season 4.

Theres no way to be contiguous with Season 4, and not, frankly, expand scale and depth, Levy said. Its major, major, cinematic storytelling that happens to be called a TV series. Stranger Things 5 is as big as any of the biggest movies that we see.

Stranger Things 5 is waiting to kick off filming as soon as the Hollywood strikes come to an end. David Harbour, who has played Hopper since the pilot episode, told the Happy Sad Confused podcastlast month that he knows how series creators Matt and Ross Duffer will end the show.

I know where we net out and its very, very moving, Harbour said. That is the term I will useIts a hell of an undertaking, too. I mean, the set pieces and the things in the scripts that we saw are bigger than anything weve done in the past.

Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven on the show, told Womens Wear Daily last month that she is at peace with the star-making show coming to an end, adding, I think Im ready. Its been such a huge factor in part of my life, but its like graduating high school, its like senior year. Youre ready to go and blossom and flourish and youre grateful for the time youve had, but its time to create your own message and live your own life.

Harbour previously shared similar thoughts toDiscussing Film, saying, Whats funny is when I started the show, I never ever wanted it to end. Thats why I love the show. I think its a great show, even if I wasnt in it. Now were almost nine years from filming the first season, and I think it is time for it to end.

But it is, of course, very bittersweet, he continued. You know, theres a sadness there. But also, weve all grown up. It is time for us to leave that nest and try other things and different projects. And to let the Duffer Brothers try different things as well. I mean, those guys are so talented. I want to see what they come up with next. So it is bittersweet, but its definitely time.

Production on Stranger Things 5 will most likely begin in 2024.