Who Will Die in Stranger Things Season 5? A Nostalgic Look at the End of an Era (Part 1)
- The Rabbit Hole
- Nov 19
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Netflix has finally confirmed the release structure for Stranger Things Season 5, arriving in three parts — November 26, December 25, and December 31, 2025.
And like every great story…
someone isn’t making it out alive.
As we brace ourselves for the heartbreak, the nostalgia, and the ending of an era, there’s something comforting about sharing this final ride together.
That’s why here at The Rabbit Hole 👆 - we’re kicking off our Stranger Things Season V Watch Party Series on November 26 - and we’re just as invested as every fan asking the same burning questions:
Who is going to die?
Who survives Hawkins?
And what will this ending mean for all of us who grew up with this story?
But before we talk about who might die, I want to talk about what this show gave us — and why letting go is going to hurt.
A Bittersweet Goodbye to Hawkins
The cast has already described Season 5 as bittersweet, a chapter that feels ready to close. And honestly? I agree. As much as I adore this show, I’m relieved it’s ending — not because it lost its magic, but because the world of Stranger Things was built around kids. Kids who, in real time, grew into adults faster than Hawkins could catch up. Their characters are still riding bikes and navigating teen drama, while the actors are, well… towering. Mature. Different.
And yet, that’s part of the beauty of Stranger Things. It wasn’t just about monsters or the Upside Down. It was about childhood — the kind we don’t get back.
Why This Show Hit So Hard
Stranger Things brought back the simple times: no cell phones, no endless scrolling, no constant notifications.
If you wanted to hang out with your friends?
You grabbed your bike
You showed up at their house
You explored
You got into trouble
You lived
The show captured something incredibly rare — that raw freedom of the 80s and 90s, when the world felt wide open and mysterious. Watching it gave me those Goonies vibes, that sense of dangerous adventure mixed with innocence and loyalty.
Every season made me miss those days a little more. Made me love each character a little deeper. Made me feel a little more connected to the kid I used to be.
And that’s why this final season is going to hurt.
So… Who Might Die in Season 5?
Now for the part every fan is whispering about: who isn’t making it to the end?
Let’s explore the possibilities — not from a place of wishing loss upon a character, but from a storytelling perspective. Stranger Things has always balanced high stakes with high emotion. And a final season needs consequences.
Here are the strongest possibilities:
1. Eleven
This is the theory no one wants, but everyone fears.
Eleven has always been the heart of the story — the weapon, the protector, the girl who never truly had a childhood but found a family anyway. A sacrifice from her would be devastating but narratively powerful. It would explain why the future adults might speak of a girl with extraordinary abilities like she was a ghost story no one believes.
Painful? Yes.
Possible? Absolutely.
2. Will Byers
Will has been at the center of the supernatural from day one. And while the actor has dealt with real-world controversy, Will’s death would echo the very beginning of the show — a full-circle moment.
He was once thought dead. This time, it could be real.
3. Dustin Henderson
Please, no.
Dustin is the heart of the friend group. He brings joy and energy that lifts every scene he’s in. A Dustin death would be devastating — arguably the most emotionally impactful loss of the entire series. It would shatter the audience.
Which… is exactly why Netflix might consider it :(
4. Lucas Sinclair
Lucas is beloved but often placed in storylines that don’t center him. If he were to die, it would be tragic, but perhaps not show-defining. Still, his loss would shake the group’s foundation.
5. Mike Wheeler
Mike is the emotional core tied to Eleven. His death would be catastrophic — for the characters and for us. If Stranger Things wanted to go out with a massive emotional punch, Mike’s sacrifice could be the twist.
6. Anyone Else
Sure, other characters could die — but would it matter?
Yes… but less.
Stranger Things works because of the original crew. Their fates are what keep us invested. Whoever dies, it’s likely going to be someone central. Someone whose absence changes everything.
Final Thoughts
As much as losing a favorite character hurts, that’s what makes storytelling unforgettable. Stranger Things gave us friendship, mystery, loyalty, and the version of childhood we wish we could step back into — just for a moment.
The end will be emotional, but necessary. And no matter who survives…
Hawkins changed us.
Watching Season 5 Together at The Rabbit Hole
If you want a place to react, debate, scream, laugh, cry, or simply process the ending of a story that shaped a generation… you’re invited. (More info here)
Who Will Die in Stranger Things Season 5? A Nostalgic Look at the End of an Era
📅 FULL SCHEDULE
Episode 1 — Wednesday, November 26 (TGE)
Episode 2 — Friday, November 28 (Black Friday)
Episode 3 — Saturday, November 29
Episode 4 — Sunday, November 30
Episode 5 — Thursday, December 25 (Christmas)
Episode 6 — Friday, December 26
Episode 7 — Saturday, December 27
Episode 8 — Finale — Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Every episode starts at 8:00 PM
🎟️ EVENT DETAILS
🍿 Free popcorn every event
🚪 No cover — walk-ins welcome
🆔 21+ with valid ID
🍸 $5 - drink ticket
🌭 $6 - hot dog + drink ticket
(offer valid 1 per customer, before and during the watch party)
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