‘Stranger Things’ Scraps Original Final Season, Confirms Exciting New Direction

If you are a fan of Stranger Things, we have a great way for you to further immerse yourself in all things Hawkins, Upside Down, and more.

The release of Stranger Things in 2016 marked a watershed moment in television. This series, a heartfelt homage to 1980s pop culture, quickly transcended the screen to become a global phenomenon.

Matt and Ross Duffer, the twin creative forces behind Stranger Things, drew inspiration from a rich tapestry of influences. Their own childhood experiences in the 1980s intertwined with a deep admiration for the works of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and John Carpenter. This fusion of personal nostalgia, classic horror, and coming-of-age narratives laid the foundation for the show’s distinctive aesthetic and captivating tone.

Initially envisioned as a feature film, the Duffer Brothers embraced the serendipitous shift to a television series format. This expansion afforded them the opportunity to delve deeper into their captivating concept, a unique blend of nostalgia, supernatural elements, and a relatable coming-of-age story.

A cornerstone of Stranger Things’ success lies in its exceptional ensemble cast. The show’s strength lies in its ability to develop complex and emotionally resonant characters, each with a distinct voice and engaging storyline. These characters collectively create a richly immersive world that viewers can readily connect with.

The foundation of the series was laid in Season 1 with the introduction of Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, and a group of talented young actors including Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp. Subsequent seasons further enriched the narrative and broadened its appeal through the addition of actors like Sadie Sink, Maya Hawke, and Joseph Quinn.

This commitment to an ensemble cast structure allows for a multitude of storylines and character arcs, ensuring the audience remains invested and engaged in the show’s evolving world. The complex relationships, both friendships and rivalries, between these characters create a compelling tapestry of emotions and dramatic tension.

Stranger Things has garnered critical and commercial acclaim, securing numerous awards and nominations. The show’s writing, acting, direction, and visual effects have all received widespread praise. Additionally, it has shattered viewership records on Netflix, solidifying its status as a bona fide cultural phenomenon.

While production delays caused by labor strikes pushed the filming of Season 5 to January 2024, filming is currently underway and expected to conclude by December of this year.

Despite ongoing production, the wait for the final season’s release will unfortunately extend into 2025.

Stranger Things is not unfamiliar with extended hiatuses between seasons, and the upcoming one may be the longest yet. Following a 15-month break between the 2016 premiere and the 2017 second season, subsequent seasons experienced even longer delays – a 21-month wait for Season 3 and a 34-month hiatus before Season 4, primarily attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending on the final release date in 2025, the gap between Season 4 and Season 5 could fall between 30 and 41 months.

This has left fans quite upset, as many have suggested that their care and the build-up for the story’s ending feels less exciting as too much time has passed. The 5 seasons will have taken 9 years to debut, which is much longer than regular syndicated television.

Despite these hiatuses, Stranger Things’ cultural impact remains undeniable. The show’s influence can be seen in the resurgence of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and the breakout performance of Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in Season 4, which has propelled him into major roles in upcoming films like A Quiet Place: Day One and the Fantastic Four reboot. Stranger Things continues to enthrall audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a modern television masterpiece.

Now, it looks like the franchise has evolved and is moving away from something you can watch to something you can smell.

Calling all Stranger Things fans! Embark on a sensory journey to Hawkins, Indiana, with Bath & Body Works’ latest collaboration. The first drop of this exciting partnership, launched in stores and online on July 18th, features four exclusive three-wick candles designed to evoke the show’s iconic characters, scenes, and 80s nostalgia.

“At Bath & Body Works, everything we do is rooted in the power of fragrance,” said Betsy Schumacher, Chief Merchandising Officer at Bath & Body Works. “Our collaboration with Stranger Things is the latest way we are bringing that innovation to life. For this collab, we focused on delivering quality fragrances that uniquely embody the characters, scenes and icons from the show. Our partners at Stranger Things helped bring just enough strange to the collection to thrill both fans of the show and Bath & Body Works alike.”

Check out a first look at the new scents, “2 scoops of vanilla with sprinkles and pineapple pizza pleaaaase! ???????? Place your order for your fave eats with Steve’s Scoops and Argyle’s Pineapple Pizza Limited-Edition Candles right now! ☎️​”

 

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The collection offers a unique olfactory experience for Stranger Things devotees. Here’s a closer look at each fragrant offering:

• Hopper’s Coffee: This candle pays homage to the ever-present cup of joe clutched by Police Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour). According to Schumacher, “In addition to capturing the perfect coffee note, we added a splash of half-and-half to create added depth and dimension to the fragrance.”
• Steve’s Scoops: Fans can relive the sweet beginnings of Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) and Robin Buckley’s (Maya Hawke) friendship with this ice cream-inspired candle. Schumacher acknowledges the enduring popularity of ice cream scents, stating, “ice cream scents have long been a fan favorite, so it was only right that they created Steve’s Scoops candle.”
• Argyle’s Pineapple Pizza: This unconventional candle adds a tropical twist to the world of pizza-scented delights. Schumacher describes the unique fragrance as “a burst of fresh sliced pineapple and Italian lemon herbs that then intertwines with the herbaceous charm of oregano.”
• Eleven’s Waffles: Rounding out the collection is this delightful waffle-scented candle. Schumacher explains, “This unique scent opens with the mouthwatering notes of freshly toasted waffles with their crisp, golden edges. As the fragrance unfolds, you experience a buttery warmth and luscious maple syrup note that evokes the simple pleasures of a sweet, sticky stack of waffles.”

The Bath and Body Works Instagram account shared, “Just trying to strange up the most important meal of the day with the NEW Eleven’s Waffles Limited-Edition Candle from the Bath & Body Works x Stranger Things collab! Get it while its fresh (and before it’s gone)! ????​”

 

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Each of these limited-edition candles retails for $29.95 and boasts a burn time of 25 to 45 hours. This collection marks the continuation of Bath & Body Works’ year-long partnership with Netflix, which began with a “Bridgerton”-themed line celebrating the show’s third season.

While fans eagerly await the highly anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things, filming for the season is currently underway. In a recent behind-the-scenes video, Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield) shared, “We’re just kind of savoring every single moment.” Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler) added, “Season 4 was big. Season 5 definitely feels bigger,” expressing particular excitement for scenes involving the original core cast.

What do you think about this new Stranger Things candle line?