It’s been a long break since Season 4 of Stranger Things, and now that Season 5 finally drops today, a quick recap definitely doesn’t hurt. A lot went down last time we saw everyone, so here’s a simple refresher and the official Netflix recap to get you ready without overthinking it.
Check out how we ranked the Top 10 Characters from Stranger Things here on DraftKings Network!
Stranger Things Season 4 Recap: Official Netflix Video Before Season 5
If you just want the quick version, Netflix put together a fast Season 4 recap that hits all the major moments. With Season 5 dropping today, this is the easiest way to catch up before you start the new episodes.
Key Plot Points From Stranger Things Season 4
If you just need the big stuff to remember before starting Season 5, here are the core moments that shaped where things left off. This is the quick version without all the extra detail.
• Vecna begins targeting teens in Hawkins, opening deadly cracks into the Upside Down
• Eleven struggles with her powers and eventually regains them after returning to Dr. Brenner’s lab
• Hopper is revealed to be alive and imprisoned in Russia, where Joyce and Murray travel to rescue him
• Max becomes one of Vecna’s main targets and barely survives thanks to Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” moment
• Nancy, Steve, and Robin investigate the Creel House and uncover Vecna’s origin
• The Hawkins group enters the Upside Down to confront Vecna, leading to a major showdown
• Max is critically injured during Vecna’s final attack, leaving her in a coma
• The season ends with the Upside Down breaking into Hawkins as ash and dark clouds spread across the town
Stranger Things Season 5 Release Schedule (Netflix)
Season 5 is being released in three parts on Netflix:
• Part 1 (Episodes 1–4): November 26, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Part 2 (Episodes 5–7): December 25, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Final Episode (Episode 8): December 31, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. ET
All episodes will stream exclusively on Netflix as they’re released.
Have you see the Season 5 trailer yet? Check out the Stranger Things Season 5 trailer that was released a couple of months ago!
What to Expect in Season 5
Stranger Things Season 5 picks up right after the chaos of Season 4, with the Upside Down finally spilling into Hawkins in a way the characters can’t ignore. Netflix hasn’t revealed much, but you can expect the focus to be on the group reuniting, figuring out how to stop Vecna for good, and dealing with the fallout that’s been building since the very beginning.
