'Stranger Things 5' ending is a ‘masterpiece,’ says Shawn Levy; ‘10 out of 10 perfect’

The countdown to the end of Stranger Things has officially begun. With Season 5 set to premiere soon, anticipation is soaring as fans prepare to say goodbye to Hawkins, the Upside Down, and one of the most influential shows of the streaming era. The final chapter promises high stakes, emotional depth, and a monumental farewell nearly ten years in the making.

Shawn Levy says the finale delivers a deeply emotional ending

Director and executive producer Shawn Levy has already seen the completed series finale — and his reaction says it all. Speaking with Collider, he said, “Having watched the final version of the final episode of the final season of Stranger Things, it is a masterpiece. The Duffers have stuck that landing. So 10 out of 10 perfect. And it is so deeply satisfying and moving. I have to say, it wrecked me.”




Levy acknowledged that fans often fear how a beloved series might end, citing how disappointing finales have hurt audiences before. “When you invest in characters and story for years of your life, and then they fail you at the end by being either tone-deaf or disloyal to the spirit that made you love that storytelling, that is a bitter disappointment,” he said.

A decade of pressure to “stick the landing”

According to Levy, he and the Duffer Brothers have been focused on “sticking the landing” since Season 1. They believed that if the ending was powerful enough, it could elevate the entire series. “A lot of sins are forgotten and forgiven if you can stick the landing,” Levy explained. “It was always a non-negotiable mandate.”

Their confidence in the finale is so high that Netflix plans to give the last episode a theatrical release — a rare honor for television. Levy said the team feels immense pride in their work and believes the finale deserves to be seen on the big screen.

Shared directing duties and a unique Season 5 experience

Levy’s schedule on Deadpool & Wolverine changed his usual directing pattern. Instead of handling early-season episodes, he directed Episode 6 and co-directed Episode 7 with the Duffer Brothers — a first for the series.

“We each ended up directing half of that episode and sharing credit,” Levy shared. “It feels good and right to see our names together, because it has been a brotherhood of collaboration over a lot of years.”

How Stranger Things shaped Shawn Levy’s career

Before joining Stranger Things, Levy had never worked in horror or the supernatural genre. His experience on the show, beginning with Season 1, opened up new creative avenues and boosted his confidence as a storyteller. He credits the series with helping him take on larger projects, including the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter.

“It revealed storytelling muscles that I didn’t know I had,” he said. “It unlocked new ambitions that continue to influence my work today.”

Release schedule for the final season

Netflix will release Stranger Things Season 5 in three parts — a first for the series:

• Part 1 (Episodes 1–4): November 26, 2025 (Thanksgiving weekend)
• Part 2 (Episodes 5–7): December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day)
• Finale (Episode 8): December 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve) — streaming on Netflix and premiering in over 350 cinemas worldwide.