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Stranger Things Finale Arrives Jan. 1 as Ratings Plunge and Backlash Grows

Audience scores have dropped following a politicized backlash to a coming‑out scene.

Overview

  • Netflix will release the eighth and final episode at 2 a.m. on January 1, with a runtime of about two hours and eight minutes, after a three‑part rollout in November and December.
  • New trailers and images preview the concluding chapter, which caps a decade of the streamer’s flagship series.
  • User ratings fell sharply after the December batch, with Rotten Tomatoes audience scores around the mid‑50s and episode seven drawing the series’ lowest IMDb marks reported by multiple outlets.
  • The episode featuring Will Byers’ on‑screen coming out drew politicized criticism, including from Elon Musk, while industry reporting cites organized review‑bombing campaigns.
  • Fans have pushed petitions for alleged deleted or “Director’s Cut” material, but actor Randy Havens publicly denied such a version exists, and the Duffer brothers confirmed Netflix has shelved their Stephen King adaptation The Talisman.