Stranger Things fans disappointed after huge change introduced ahead of new season

Some Stranger Things fans have been left seriously disappointed after a huge change was introduced ahead of the brand-new season.

Later this evening, well 1 am tomorrow morning (27 November) for Netflix users in the UK, the fifth and final season of the beloved sci-fi series will grace our screens.

It's been a whole three years since we rattled through season four in 2022, so you can imagine that those in the dedicated Stranger Things fandom were more than itching to sink their nashers in the upcoming ultimate season and to, once again, see the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, Caleb McLaughlin and Sadie Sink back in action.

But they were in for quite the shock after finding out that the TV show's last hurrah is coming to them - but in three separate parts spaced out over a month.

Yep, you heard that right.

It's only Volume 1 of Stranger Things 5 - AKA the first four episodes - which are coming out this week.

Three more, Volume 2, will be released on Christmas Day, 25th December.

And then the finale episode will hit Netflix just in time for New Year's Eve on the 31st December.

Taking to social media to voice their grievances with the episode-rolling-out-format, one disgruntled X user jabbed: "I can’t be the only one that hates this new release format shows are doing…"

A second hit out: "Vol 1 date is great. The other two parts, those dates are a bit selfish and narcissistic. People who have plans and can't watch when it drops must stay off socials so that they don't get S5 spoilers."

Stranger Things fans will be made to wait until the end of 2025 to officially finish the final season (Netflix)

"Half the trailer is nothing new, and then the audacity to split the season into three parts… yeah, good thing y'all wrapping it up," another piped up.

And a final fan echoed: "3 dates? For what? Me thinks it has something to do with Netflix keeping customers for longer than a month."

This isn't exactly a new thing, however, as Stranger Things previously adopted the split release strategy for season four, which streamed in two volumes.

But season five's three-volume release is a first for the Netflix show.

So, in short, prepare yourself for a whole bunch of nail-biting cliffhangers to occupy yourself with over the festive period...

Stranger Things 5 will release four episodes on November 26 (US time), three episodes on Christmas and the finale episode on New Year's Eve.