Stranger Things Season 5 Fans Think They Know Which Year The New Episodes Are Set In

Stranger Things Season 5 Fans Think They Know Which Year The New Episodes Are Set In

Key Takeaways

  • Stranger Things Season 5 likely set in 1987, fan theories suggest. Year-long time jump predicted.
  • Duffer Brothers hint at time jump necessity due to aging cast members. Fans anticipate signature 80s vibes.
  • Expect time jump in Stranger Things Season 5 to avoid excessive exposition. 1987 backdrop promises pop culture fun.

As a devoted fan of Stranger Things since its inception, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nostalgia as we approach the fifth and final season. The Duffer Brothers have always done an exceptional job of keeping us on our toes with their intricate storytelling, and the hints about a time jump in season 5 only heightens the anticipation.


If seasons 4 and 5 of “Stranger Things” were to be released approximately a year apart, it wouldn’t require a time skip. The initial episode of season 5 could simply continue from where the season 4 finale ended: with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) plotting to destroy Hawkins, Indiana and the main characters both fearful yet prepared for what lies ahead. However, since the fourth season debuted in 2019 and the final season of this popular Netflix series isn’t expected until 2025, it appears inevitable that some kind of time jump will be necessary.

Some enthusiasts believe they’ve pinpointed the specific year when Stranger Things season 5 is set to unfold, according to a popular fan theory.

What Year Do Fans Think Stranger Things Season 5 Will Take Place In?Stranger Things Season 5 Fans Think They Know Which Year The New Episodes Are Set In

It seems like the fifth season of “Stranger Things” might be set in 1987. Given that season 4 starts in March 1986, this would mean a leap forward by one year. User @Comfortable-Teach125 initiated a discussion on Reddit about this.

As a dedicated fan, I recently stumbled upon Millie’s latest costume video, and boy, has El’s hair grown quite a bit for season 5! This significant transformation suggests that there might be a time jump of at least a year, if not more. If this is the case, it would place Stranger Things 5 in late 1987 or even 1988, adding an intriguing new layer to the storyline.

Some viewers speculate that Stranger Things season 5 might be set in the 1990s, while others believe it could still be in 1987. One Redditor, Owl_Resident, suggests that 1987 is the most plausible option as it aligns with the series’ pattern of progressing one year at a time. The user added: “It fits well with the show’s modus operandi.”

From the additional pictures, it appears that the event might have taken place in 1987 as well. If we estimate, the party could range from approximately 16 to 16.5 years old, or maybe even a little closer to 17.

Jumping ahead one year could offer the perfect balance, as it would account for the actors’ aging without requiring extensive backstory. In the context of Stranger Things season 5, every scene matters, making a time jump that avoids unnecessary exposition and filler particularly significant.

1987 was a fantastic year for pop culture, and it’s possible that Stranger Things season 5 might incorporate some catchy tunes and nods to that era. Some of the top movies from that year were Fatal Attraction and Predator. Interestingly enough, Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” was also popular at the time, and given that Millie Bobby Brown tied the knot with Jake Bongiovi (Jon Bon Jovi’s son) in May 2024 as reported by People, it could make for an amusing reference.

What Clues Have The Duffer Brothers Given About Stranger Things Season 5’s Timeline?

Stranger Things Season 5 Fans Think They Know Which Year The New Episodes Are Set In

The creators behind Stranger Things, known as The Duffer Brothers, have discussed the inclusion of a time jump in Season 5 during various interviews. Since the show’s fourth season was launched in 2019 and the fifth season is expected to premiere in 2025, the natural aging process of the cast members has become an unavoidable issue, as pointed out by Ross Duffer in a conversation with TV Line.

“It’s likely that we’ll leap forward in time. It would have been ideal to film Seasons 4 and 5 simultaneously, but unfortunately, it wasn’t practical to do so.”

Although some fans have been contemplating a time leap since 2022, not everyone agrees with it. However, such a move might offer an exciting conclusion to the series. At minimum, this approach would make season 5 of Stranger Things visually different from the fourth season, allowing for the examination of fashion trends and hairstyles from the late ’80s or early ’90s.

What Other TV Shows And Movies Have The Duffer Brothers Worked On?

  • We All Fall Down (2005, written and directed by)
  • Eater (2007, written and directed by)
  • Hidden (2015, written and directed by)
  • Wayward Pines (2015-2016, writers)

In 2017, during the renewal of “Stranger Things” for its second season, brothers Ross and Matt Duffer discussed the possibility of introducing a time leap within the series early on. According to Ross, they had thought about it.

“Initially, we didn’t consider an anthology approach. Instead, our discussions often centered around a significant time leap where the children have grown older and it’s a different era. This was something we considered right from the start. However, for us, there’s still plenty of story left to tell in the 1980s, many things that remain unresolved.”

Regardless of whether there’s a significant gap between seasons in Stranger Things 5, or a shorter break than viewers expect, everyone is eagerly awaiting the return of the series on Netflix to find out how Hawkins has changed over time.

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2024-08-27 00:34