Netflix, the reigning champion of streaming platforms, has left fans of its top shows disappointed this holiday season. While the company confirmed earlier this year that Stranger Things and Wednesday—two of its most celebrated series—would return, new updates have done little to soothe frustrations about delays and a lack of fresh content.
After enduring setbacks throughout 2023 due to the industry-stalling WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, production for both series was significantly delayed. Fans initially hoped at least one of the supernatural hits would make it to screens in 2024. Unfortunately, Netflix dashed those hopes, officially announcing both Stranger Things Season 5 and Wednesday Season 2 for 2025.
Adding to the frustration, Netflix’s year-end teaser trailer for 2025 included no new footage from Stranger Things. Instead, the streamer relied on recycled clips to promote its upcoming content slate, which also features Squid Game and Wednesday.
Stranger Things fans took to social media to voice their distress. Fan account @Updates_SThings shared the teaser on X (formerly Twitter):
“What is this shit? Just the logo… Netflix… #StrangerThings5”
One user, @b1tchinggreen, added:
“How you gonna advertise 3 new seasons of shows and then just show the same footage from the older ones? And when all the seasons have been filmed, so they don’t have an excuse.”
@Bart2389 called for a Super Bowl reveal:
“Looks like that’s it… again we’re disappointed. All Netflix did was show off old clips… Super Bowl HAS to be when we get the first footage.”
And @byrhop jokingly threatened a boycott:
“@netflix give Stranger Things 5 footage or we’re boycotting Squid Game.”
Despite the frustration, Netflix has hinted at what’s in store for both series. During November’s “Stranger Things Day”, commemorating Will Byers’ (Noah Schnapp) disappearance into the Upside Down, the platform revealed the titles of the final eight episodes:
- “The Crawl” (previously announced)
- “The Vanishing of…”
- “The Turnbow Trap”
- “Sorcerer”
- “Shock Jock”
- “Escape From Camazotz”
- “The Bridge”
- “The Rightside Up”
The final title, “The Rightside Up,” offers a poignant nod to the series’ beginnings, hinting at a full-circle conclusion for the Hawkins crew.
Season 5 promises to reunite fans with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will Byers (Schnapp) as they face their ultimate battle against Henry Creel/One/Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Familiar faces like Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), and Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield) will also return, ensuring an emotional, action-packed finale.
On the Wednesday front, fans can look forward to more of Nevermore Academy’s eerie charm. Led by Jenna Ortega, Tim Burton’s gothic masterpiece broke records upon its debut in 2022, dethroning Stranger Things as Netflix’s most-viewed English-language series in a single week.
Season 2 will introduce exciting new characters, including those played by Joanna Lumley, Haley Joel Osment, Christopher Lloyd, Thandiwe Newton, and Lady Gaga. Ortega has teased feature-length episodes for the upcoming season, likening them to movies in scope and scale.
With over 280 million subscribers, Netflix remains the king of streaming. Despite the delays, its 2025 lineup—featuring Stranger Things, Wednesday, and Squid Game—is poised to dominate the cultural conversation.
But for now, fans are left waiting, hoping Netflix delivers a proper teaser soon.
How do you feel about the lack of new footage for Stranger Things 5 and Wednesday? Share your thoughts in the comments!
