WhileStranger Thingsseason 5 might be one of the most anticipated comebacks of 2025, the Netflix series will need to break a worrying streak if it hopes to end the series perfectly. When the show began in 2016, it would have been almost impossible for viewers to predict just how bigStranger Thingsseason 5would be by 2025. Although season 1’s cast included a few notable names, like Winona Ryder and Matthew Modine,Stranger Thingsmostly seemed like a low-key, slow-burn throwback to ‘80s sci-fi movies and Stephen King’s horror stories.
However, the show’s nostalgia clearly resonated, asStranger Thingssoon became one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever. The streaming service doubled down, producing a bigger, more ambitious second season a year later in 2017.Stranger Thingsseason 2 had its issues, but was largely viewed as a worthy follow-up. 2019’s season 3 was more divisive but, by theend ofStrange Thingsseason 4in 2022, it was fair to say that the series had won back the crowd. However, that is not necessarily reflected in its reception.
Every Stranger Things Season Has A Lower Rotten Tomatoes Score Than The Last
Stranger Things Has Been On The Decline For Years According to Critics
While this might surprise some readers,theRotten Tomatoescritical rating ofStranger Thingshas gotten progressively worse with each new season. Season 1 debuted in 2016 to a staggering 97%, and the next year’s season almost managed to maintain this sky-high rating with its 94% success. However,Stranger Thingsseason 3’s problemsmeant that the show dropped to 89%, and 2022’s season 4 earned an even worse 86%. To be fair, these are all very high ratings, but the trajectory remains unmistakable.
As aggregated by Rotten Tomatoes, the critical reception of Stranger Things has been steadily declining since the show began, and it shows no sign of changing.
Even though the broad, zanyStranger Thingsseason 3 is often highlighted as the show’s low point, the reviews don’t reflect this. As aggregated byRotten Tomatoes, the critical reception ofStranger Thingshas been steadily declining since the show began, and it shows no sign of changing. This is particularly tricky since the show took three very different approaches with each new season and none reversed the trend.Stranger Thingsseason 2 went back to basics, offering viewers a simple, straightforward story that was effectively a bigger version of season 1.
What Stranger Things Season 5 Needs To Do For The Show To End On A High Note
Stranger Things Needs To Commit To Its Big Finale Plans
Season 3 gave viewers something completely different, switching to a much more cartoony, over-the-top tone, massively upping the body count, and increasing the story’s scale. This was divisive, to say the least, and evenStranger Thingsseason 3’s most fun scenesfelt like they belonged in a fundamentally sillier series. As such, it was a welcome surprise when season 4’s Vecna story maintained the bigger scale, but went with a far darker tone that included the show’s scariest and saddest scenes to date.
Stranger Things Season 5 Is In Danger Of Repeating Max’s Season 4 Story With Another Main Character
Stranger Things season 5 may be tempted to repeat one of the show’s most iconic moments with a different character, but this is secretly a bad idea.
However, this didn’t improve the show’s standing with critics, andStranger Things season 4 continued to struggle with matching the reviews of its predecessors. Since season 5’s episodes have already been described as “Mini movies” thanks to their sheer length, it is fair to say the final outing won’t reel in its ambition. However,Stranger Thingsalso shouldn’t revert to the zaniness of season 3, either. As such, it is tough to see howStranger Thingsseason 5 will convince critics that its final outing is as impressive as its debut when the show finally arrives.
