Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 9 May Not Happen, But Here’s What’s Next For The Franchise

After a fantastic final episode, Season 5 of Stranger Things has finished, but many fans are struggling to accept it’s over. A popular theory circulating online suggests the ending we saw wasn’t the real one, and that Netflix is planning to release a surprise extra episode on January 12th.

The ninth episode of Stranger Things Season 5 was originally planned for release on January 7th, but it was delayed. Now, fans are eagerly waiting for January 12th, hoping the “Conformity Gate” theory will be confirmed. While it’s uncertain if another episode will be released, Stranger Things fans still have plenty to enjoy.

Get Ready For A Behind-The-Scenes Documentary On Stranger Things Season 5

It’s Scheduled To Release On January 12

While there won’t be a new episode on January 12th, Netflix is releasing a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Stranger Things Season 5. Called One Last Adventure, the documentary will show how the cast, crew, and creators brought the final season to life.

Netflix has released a trailer for One Last Adventure, a documentary that promises to be a touching farewell to the show and its characters. The trailer shows the cast delivering their final lines and the emotional reactions as they realize it’s the last time they’ll portray these roles. While there’s still an Episode 8, this documentary serves as the definitive goodbye from the show’s creators, taking the place of a typical Episode 9.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Animated Series Is Coming Out in 2026

But It Doesn’t Have An Exact Release Date Yet

The animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 was first announced by the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, in 2023. We recently got our first glimpse of the show in November 2025 with a trailer released by Netflix, where the Duffer Brothers explain the origins of the idea.

Okay, so the trailer dropped, and honestly, the character designs look incredible animated! The whole series just looks visually stunning, and as a longtime fan, seeing all the familiar faces is a huge draw. There’s one big change, though: the original voice actors aren’t returning – it’s a completely new cast. But don’t worry, the story will still connect to everything we already know and love! They’ve confirmed that Tales From ’85 is officially canon, and everything that happens in the animated series will take place between seasons 2 and 3 of the main show. As for when we can actually watch it, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is slated for 2026, but they haven’t given us a firm release date just yet.

A Stranger Things Live-Action Is Also On Its Way

But The Details Are Very Thin On This Project

The Duffer Brothers have officially announced a live-action spin-off of Stranger Things. They shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the project is in its early stages, explaining they’ve been considering it for years but are now able to fully dedicate their attention to it with the original series finished. While they’ll be involved, they won’t be the lead showrunners – who will take on that role remains a secret for now.

This project will take place in the world of Stranger Things, but it will be set in a different time and follow a brand new group of characters. While there might be references to Eleven or past events from the original series, it’s a completely separate story. It sounds promising, but the Duffer Brothers aren’t sharing many details just yet.

The Nancy Wheeler Spin-Off Book Is Already Out

It Connects The Dots Between Season 4 and Season 5

While many projects are still to come, the Nancy Wheeler spin-off is already available! The book, called Stranger Things: One Way Or Another, is written by Caitlin Schneiderhan and follows Nancy as she and Robin investigate strange occurrences in Hawkins.

Fans will remember a time jump between seasons 4 and 5 of Stranger Things. This new spin-off book fills in the missing pieces, explaining what happened during the devastating earthquake in Hawkins and how the group first started tracking Vecna. While it doesn’t reveal anything about what happens after season 5, this book actually explores events from the show’s past. Any fan of the Netflix series will likely find it a worthwhile read.

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2026-01-12 20:08