Stranger Things Finale Divides Critics Despite Rotten Tomatoes Score

Stranger Things Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes Score Dips to Series Low Amid Critical Acclaim

Netflix’s flagship series Stranger Things has premiered its final season. The first volume of Season 5 landed on November 26, 2025. It currently holds an 86% rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. This score is the lowest for any season of the hit sci-fi show.

Despite the rating dip, major critics are praising the season’s emotional depth and thrilling conclusion. The consensus suggests a split in critical opinion rather than a drop in quality. The final episodes are still highly anticipated by a global audience.

Stranger Things Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes

Breaking Down the Critical Reception

The 86% score is based on 54 critic reviews. This is a noticeable decline from Season 4’s near-perfect rating. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the score fluctuated slightly as more reviews were tallied.

Outlets like The Guardian and BBC published exceptionally positive reviews. They highlighted the show’s return to form and powerful character resolutions. This contrast indicates a division in how critics weighed the season’s elements.

Praise for Performances and Emotional Payoff

Critics singled out the performances of the core cast. Winona Ryder and David Harbour received commendations for their work. Their characters’ journey provides a strong emotional anchor for the high-stakes plot.

Noah Schnapp’s portrayal of Will Byers is also being hailed as a standout. His character arc is finally given the focus and resolution many fans felt it deserved. This emotional maturity is a recurring theme in positive reviews.

What the Final Season Entails for Viewers

Season 5, Volume 1 consists of four episodes. The storyline remains tightly focused on Hawkins and the battle against Vecna. The Duffer Brothers have described it as a long movie, cutting extraneous subplots to concentrate on the core conflict.

The action is reportedly relentless and visually spectacular. The production leveraged a massive budget for its final sequences. Homages to classic films like The Exorcist and Jurassic Park are woven throughout the narrative.

The final chapter of Stranger Things delivers a powerful, if divisive, beginning to its endgame, proving that even a slightly lower score cannot diminish its cultural impact.

Thought you’d like to know-

Why is the Stranger Things Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes score lower?

The score reflects a split in critical opinion. Some reviewers felt the season relied on familiar tropes, while others praised its emotional payoff and action. It is not an indicator of widespread negative reception.

When does Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 come out?

The final three episodes are scheduled for release on December 25, 2025. The series finale will then debut on December 31, 2025, providing a definitive conclusion to the story.

Which character has the best storyline in Season 5?

Many critics point to Will Byers as having the most compelling and moving character journey. His arc revisits past trauma while giving him newfound agency and a central role in the final conflict.

How does Season 5 compare to previous seasons?

It is more focused and action-heavy than earlier seasons. By concentrating the narrative entirely on Hawkins, it aims to provide a cohesive and intense conclusion to the overarching plot.

Is the Stranger Things finale satisfying?

Early critical reports suggest the finale is emotionally resonant and spectacular. It is designed to answer long-standing questions and provide a fitting send-off for the beloved characters.