Why 'Stranger Things' Is Ending After Season 5

Eleven and her friends will only have one more trip in the small town of Hawkins, as the Duffer brothers have confirmed Stranger Things will end with Season 5.

Co-creators Matt and Ross Duffer shared a letter on Thursday, February 17 to pass on the sad news with fans, while also revealing their intentions to release Season 4 in two volumes.

The show, which debuted in 2016 on the streaming platform, will return for the first half of Season 4 on May 27, and the second will be released on July 1, 2022.

Why is Stranger Things ending?

However, despite the good news, the Duffer brothers explained that there would only be one more season—because that was what they always intended for the show when they first planned it out.

In their letter, the brothers explained that the story arc they had in mind for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends was "too long" for just four seasons, so they extended it to five.

They wrote: "Seven years ago we planned out the compelte story arc for Stranger Things. At the time we predicted the story would last four to five seasons.

"It proved too large to tell in four, but—as you'll soon see for yourselves—we are now hurtling toward our finale. Season 4 will be the penultimate season, and season 5 will be the last."

While they confirmed Stranger Things would come to an end, the Duffer brothers added that there were "many more exiting stories to tell" within the show's universe, though they didn't clarify if that meant a spin-off show was in the works.

"There are still many more exiting stories to tell within the world of Stranger Things; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes," they said in their letter.

"But first we hope that you stay with us as we finish this tale of a powerful girl named Eleven and her brave friends, of a broken police chief and a ferocious mom, of a small town called Hawkins, and an alternate dimension known only as the Upside Down. As always we are grateful for you patience and support."

What did the Duffer Brothers say about Stranger Things finishing?

"Hi nerds! Do you copy? It's been a little while. With nine scripts, over eight-hundred pages, almost two years of filming, thousands of visual effects shots and a runtime nearly twice the length of any previous season, Stranger Things 4 was the most challenging season yet, but also the most rewarding one.

"Everyone involved is incredible proud of the results and we can't wait to share it with you. Given the unprecedented length and to get it to you as soon as possible Season 4 will be released in two volumes. Volume One will release on may 27th; Volume Two will release five weeks later on July 1st.

"So that's the good news. It's coming soon and it's bigger than ever. It's also the beginning of the end.

"Seven years ago we planned out the complete story arc for Stranger Things. At the time we predicted the story would last four to five seasons. It proved too large to tell in four, but—as you'll soon see for yourselves—we are now hurtling toward our finale. Season 4 will be the penultimate season, and season 5 will be the last.

"There are still many more exiting stories to tell within the world of stranger things; new mysteries, new adventures, new unexpected heroes.

"But first we hope that you stay with us as we finish this tale of a powerful girl named eleven and her brave friends, of a broken police chief and a ferocious mom, of a small town called Hawkins and an alternate dimension known only as the Upside Down.

"As always we are grateful for you patience and support. Over and out, Matt and Ross."

Stranger Things Season 4 lands on Netflix in two parts, the first will be released on May 27 and the second will be released on July 1, 2022.

Update 4/12/2022, 11:12 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include the official trailer for Stranger Things Season 4.