One last time. Watch the never-before-seen behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Stranger Things 5. Premiering January 12. pic.twitter.com/5FNvTNlvuz

— Netflix (@netflix) January 5, 2026

The documentary promises an intimate, emotional look at how the Duffer Brothers and the cast brought the final chapter of this generation-defining series to life.

According to the official synopsis, "A decade after rewiring pop culture, Stranger Things returns for its final chapter. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 is a sweeping behind-the-scenes chronicle that follows the cast, creators, and crew as they bring the final season to life and say goodbye to the show that changed them forever."

Let's be real, that goodbye is already hitting harder than expected! Give me a tissue now.

There’s something about seeing the process – the work, the tears, the late nights, that makes the emotional payoff even deeper. Letting fans in behind the curtain doesn’t kill the magic, it builds it. It reminds us why these characters feel so real and why saying goodbye feels personal. This documentary isn’t just extra content, it’s part of the experience.

Director Martina Radwan (Girls State) spoke to Tudum about the opportunity, saying, "I’m endlessly grateful to the Duffer Brothers for trusting me with a front-row seat to this incredible journey."

She added, "Spending a full year on set with them was a true privilege and an absolute thrill. Being able to get close and watching them bring this beloved show to life in real time was pure joy. I only wish I could travel back in time and document Seasons 1–4."

Radwan also praised the cast and crew for their openness, noting how everyone "welcomed me with remarkable generosity, openly sharing their personal and collective experiences from a decade of creative filmmaking." And honestly? You can feel that love all over the trailer.

The footage teases the final moments of the series while pulling at every emotional string possible. We see pivotal scenes, tearful table reads, and cast members struggling to say goodbye. Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Natalia Dyer, Sadie Sink, and more react emotionally to the final pages of the script. And when Millie Bobby Brown admits, "I’m not ready to let go," you can practically hear the fandom collectively break down.

Netflix clearly knew what they were doing by dropping the documentary right alongside the finale. It’s the cast’s final bow, a proper goodbye, and a chance for fans to cry with them instead of alone on the couch.

And of course, the internet had plenty to say!

Fans immediately took to social media with a mix of humor, heartbreak, and full-on emotional prep, with posts like "See you nerds Jan 12,"and "Every time I come to peace with the show being over, they just reel me back in," capturing the collective struggle of letting go.

Others were already speculating, asking, "Is this where we finally see all the stuff the Duffer Brothers said happened off screen?" while admitting the behind-the-scenes footage might hit harder than the finale itself. One fan, summed up the mood perfectly, writing, "As a fan of the show and someone who enjoyed the final series, I will tune in for this. I could totally see Netflix releasing the doc and then having one final episode of Stranger Things."

And if the theories are any indication, fans aren’t ready to leave Hawkins behind just yet – with talk of spin-offs, loose ends, and a possible future return for Eleven already circulating, because let’s be real… Hawkins never stays quiet for long. There’s no denying the cultural impact either. Fans are already estimating 20 million-plus views across social media, proving once again that Stranger Things isn’t just a show, it’s a phenomenon.

Save the date. Hawkins isn’t done with us yet.