Nov, 26 2025
On the night of Thursday, November 13, 2025, hundreds of devoted fans in Central London got an early glimpse of the final chapter of Stranger Things — not through a stream, but under dim theater lights, surrounded by the smell of popcorn and the hum of 1980s synth music. Netflix UK pulled off a surprise: two free, late-night screenings of the first episode of Stranger Things Season 5, two weeks before the official global debut. The event, part of the ONE LAST ADVENTURE tour, wasn’t just a preview — it was a pilgrimage.
Two Screenings, One Night, Zero Seats Left
The screenings were split into two slots: one at 10:15 PM, with doors opening at 9:30 PM, and another at 12:30 AM, with entry at midnight. Both took place at a Central London venue that remained TBA until the day of the event — a deliberate tease, fans say, to heighten the mystery. Only those over 18 were allowed in, and tickets? Free, but so scarce that registration required entering the promo code ST5FANS and hoping for a random draw. By the time Applausestore.com updated its site, the initial registration portal was already full. Still, fans kept refreshing the page, hoping for cancellations. Those lucky enough to get in were told they’d receive confirmation via email by Tuesday, November 11 — just two days before the event.‘Fall of 1987’ Comes to Life
The dress code wasn’t a suggestion — it was a command. Attendees arrived in parachute pants, acid-wash denim, and neon windbreakers. Some wore Upside Down-themed jackets. Others carried Walkmans and Polaroids. It wasn’t cosplay. It was communion. For many, this was more than a movie night. It was a tribute to a show that shaped their adolescence. One fan, who wore a faded Hawkins Lab t-shirt from 2016, said quietly, "I was 13 when this show started. I’m 26 now. I didn’t think I’d get to see this ending in person." The official synopsis, circulated by Applausestore.com, painted the scene: "The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna." The government had turned the town into a military zone. Eleven was in hiding. And Will Byers’ disappearance anniversary loomed — the same day, November 6, now unofficially celebrated as Stranger Things Day, as noted by Tom and Lorenzo.
Stars Show Up — And Confirm It All Happened
Just hours after the final screening ended, Noah Schnapp posted a photo on Instagram: Burberry coat, messy hair, holding a cup of coffee outside the venue. Millie Bobby Brown followed with a candid shot in an Ashi Studio dress, grinning beside a group of fans. Their presence, confirmed by Tom and Lorenzo in their November 14 coverage, turned speculation into certainty: this wasn’t just marketing. This was a celebration with the cast."They didn’t just show up," one attendee whispered. "They stayed for the whole thing. Even the second screening. I saw Millie crying during the last five minutes."
What Comes Next? The Final Battle Begins
The London event was just the warm-up. The full season rolls out in three waves: Volume 1 — four episodes — drops on November 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM PT. Volume 2 follows on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, at the same time. And the finale? New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025 — a deliberate, poetic choice. Netflix isn’t just releasing a show. They’re orchestrating a cultural event.The final season, as described by Netflix’s official premise, promises "an extraordinary supernatural mystery, along with top-secret government experiments and a dangerous gateway that connects our world to a powerful yet sinister realm." Friendships will be tested. Lives will be altered. And Hawkins — the town that started it all — may not survive.
Why This Matters Beyond the Screen
This isn’t the first time Netflix has hosted fan events, but it’s one of the most ambitious. Unlike the Stranger Things pop-up shops or the 2019 Halloween party in LA, this was intimate, exclusive, and emotionally charged. It recognized that fans don’t just watch the show — they live inside it. The "Over 18s only" rule? It wasn’t about content. It was about context. These fans grew up with the show. They’re adults now, carrying the weight of its ending.And then there’s the timing. Two weeks before release. Not a month. Not a week. Two weeks. That’s the sweet spot — enough time to build buzz, but not enough for spoilers to leak. It’s a masterclass in anticipation engineering.
What’s more, Netflix didn’t just hand out tickets. They handed out belonging. For a few hours, London wasn’t a city of traffic and rain. It was Hawkins. The lights were low. The music was loud. And for the first time since 2016, the whole party — Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Will, Nancy, Jonathan — was back together. One last time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were tickets for the London screenings distributed, and why were they so hard to get?
Tickets were free but limited to a few hundred slots, distributed via an online registration system requiring the promo code ST5FANS. Selection was randomized, and registration closed within hours. Applausestore.com confirmed the initial portal was "fully booked" by November 8, with only last-minute cancellations offering a slim chance for entry. Email notifications went out by November 11, ensuring only verified fans attended.
Why was the location kept secret until the day of the event?
Keeping the venue "TBA" amplified exclusivity and reduced the risk of overcrowding or media leaks. It also mirrored the show’s own themes of mystery and hidden truths. Fans had to trust Netflix’s instructions, reinforcing the sense of being part of an insider experience — not just a public screening.
Did the cast really attend both screenings?
Yes. Noah Schnapp and Millie Bobby Brown were photographed at both showings by attendees and confirmed by entertainment outlet Tom and Lorenzo. Their presence, especially at the midnight screening, signaled deep personal investment — not just promotional duty.
Why is the season set in 1987, and why does it matter?
The fall of 1987 marks the exact timeline of Will Byers’ disappearance — now commemorated as "Stranger Things Day" on November 6. Setting the final season in this year ties the story’s beginning to its end, creating emotional symmetry. It also allows the show to revisit the original Hawkins Lab era, bringing back classic props, fashion, and music that defined the series’ identity.
What’s the significance of releasing the finale on New Year’s Eve?
Releasing the final episode on December 31, 2025, frames the end of the series as a symbolic farewell — a moment to reflect, mourn, and celebrate. Netflix knows fans will gather for this, much like they do for New Year’s Eve. It turns a TV premiere into a shared cultural ritual, cementing Stranger Things not just as a show, but as a generational experience.
Is this the last time we’ll see these characters?
Netflix has confirmed Season 5 is the final season of the main series. While spin-offs or animated specials remain possible, the core story of Eleven, Mike, and the Hawkins gang concludes here. The London event was designed as a farewell — a final gathering of the party before the lights go out for good.