Why there's no Stranger Things season 5 episode 9 after 'The Rightside Up'
Stranger Things is over... for now
Stranger Things fans are still recovering from ‘The Rightside Up’, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up for season 5 episode 9.
Yes, the finale left some frustrating plot holes, and if you’re among the fans who wanted Mike and Will to get together, you probably aren’t happy right now.
However, whether it was the ‘Purple Rain’ needle drop or the tear-jerking epilogue, it ended one of Netflix’s best shows on a high note.
There is more to come from the Stranger Things universe (more on that shortly), but does that include season 5 episode 9?
Is there going to be a Stranger Things season 5 episode 9?
No, Stranger Things season 5 episode 9 isn’t happening… because it doesn’t exist.
The show officially ended with episode 8, ‘The Rightside Up’. If you’re hoping to log onto Netflix next week or some time in the future and find another episode, you’re out of luck.
The Duffer Brothers, the show’s creators, have been frank about why they wanted to bring the series to a close.
Speaking to EW, Matt Duffer explained: “I want it to have a really finite ending.
“I don’t want it to be one of those shows that runs out of gas and they lose it because they’re losing interest. You wanna end when you’re on top.”
In another interview with Variety, Matt added: “We do every last remaining thing we wanted to do with the Demogorgons and Mind Flayer and Vecna and the Upside Down and Hawkins and these characters. This is a complete story. It’s done.”
Stranger Things spin-off will address season 5 scene
Two spin-offs are in the works. Tales from ’85, an animated series set between seasons 2 and 3, will premiere on Netflix sometime in 2026.
An untitled, secretive live-action series is also being developed by the Duffers. It’s definitely not called Montauk, nor will it star anyone from the flagship show. However, it will expand the franchise’s lore; more specifically, the rock Henry found in the cave.
In season 5, we saw a young Henry kill a scientist, open his briefcase, and hold a rock that gave him his powers. It appeared to have originated in the Abyss, but that’s all we know.
“I do want to explain, just because people’s expectations go in certain directions: The spin-off is going to delve into that and explain that, and you’re going to understand it,” Matt teased.
“But it’s a completely different mythology. So it’s not a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer or anything like that. It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.”
Read more: The top 10 best TV shows of 2025
