Fans are one step closer to a final encounter with the Upside Down. Production on season 5 of Stranger Things is officially underway.

The show posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) to make the announcement, which reads “THIS IS A CODE RED. STRANGER THINGS 5 production has officially begun!!!” The image shows the cast gathered together in black and white, with a glowing red number 5 mounted on the wall.

Season 5 will mark the final chapters of the popular Netflix sci-fi series. 

“Seven years ago, we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things,” series creators the Duffer Brothers said in a letter to fans in February 2022. “At the time, we predicted the story would last four to five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four but — as you’ll see for yourselves — we are now hurtling toward our finale.”

The fourth season of Stranger Things premiered back in summer 2022. Netflix and the team planned to begin production of the final season last year; however, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes ultimately delayed the start of filming.

At this time, we only have a few details about what’s in store for season 5. The Duffers hinted that Will (Noah Schnapp) will “come into his own” in this final season, teasing a “full circle” connection to the character’s time in the Upside Down back in season 1. We can also expect to see the return of season 4’s villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). And though season 4 ended with Max (Sadie Sink) stuck in a coma following her showdown with Vecna, Sink does appear in the cast photo shared today. So at the very least it seems safe to say she won’t die off-camera and never be seen again.

So, what do you want to see in the final season of Stranger Things? Let us know in the comments below.

Keep Reading:

‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ Stage Play Preview