Stranger Things Spin-offs: What Comes After Season 5

Just when it felt like Stranger Things was finally slowing down, the Duffer Brothers pulled fans right back in. New updates. Big hints. And most importantly: confirmed spin-offs.

While season 5 is gearing up to close the main chapter of the story, it’s now clear that the Stranger Things universe isn’t ending at all. If anything, it’s expanding. And possibly in ways no one fully expects yet.

In this article, we’re breaking down everything officially confirmed so far about the Stranger Things spin-offs, what the Duffer Brothers have actually said, and where this franchise could realistically go next.

Stranger Things Isn’t Just a Show Anymore

Since its debut on Netflix in 2016, Stranger Things has grown into a full-blown pop culture phenomenon. It’s more than monsters and bikes and synth music. It’s nostalgia, heart, found family, and that very specific mix of sci-fi and coming-of-age drama that just works.

Season 4’s return in 2022 proved that the show still had plenty of life left. Darker, heavier, and more intense, it became one of Netflix’s biggest hits ever. But as fans look toward season 5, one question keeps coming up: what happens after Hawkins?

The Duffer Brothers Confirm Multiple Spin-Offs

At a Netflix event tied to the streamer’s 2025 film and TV slate, Matt and Ross Duffer made something very clear: Stranger Things is not saying goodbye.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Matt Duffer told the audience bluntly that this universe still has plenty of stories left to tell. And while the Broadway play Stranger Things: The First Shadow already opened the door to expansion, that’s only the beginning.

The brothers explained that several new projects are already in development. Details are being kept under wraps for now, but one thing matters most to them: quality.

Anything that carries the Stranger Things name has to feel necessary. Not repetitive. Not lazy. It has to earn its existence and carve out its own identity. And if they don’t think it’s genuinely awesome, it doesn’t move forward.

That’s a bold promise—and one fans are taking seriously.

What Ends With Season 5 (And What Doesn’t)

Season 5 will officially close the core storyline we’ve followed since day one. Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Hopper are reaching the end of their emotional arcs.

It’s bittersweet, no question. But it also creates space. Space for new characters, new locations, and new kinds of stories that don’t have to rely on the same beats we’ve already seen.

And importantly, the Duffers have zero interest in doing more of the same.

No Simple Character Spin-Offs

Back in 2022, the Duffer Brothers addressed spin-off rumors directly on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. Fans had theories everywhere: an Eleven spin-off, a Steve and Dustin show, or continuing the story with another familiar face.

The response was pretty clear: that doesn’t excite them.

They’ve already spent years exploring those characters in depth. Retreading that ground isn’t the goal. Which tells us something important—the spin-offs won’t just be extensions of existing arcs.

Instead, expect new stories set within the same universe, but with a completely different flavor.

What Could the Stranger Things Spin-Offs Look Like?

Right now, it’s all speculation. But that’s part of the fun.

The First Shadow leaned heavily into mythology and drama, which suggests future projects might push even further into unexpected genres. Some fans believe the next spin-off could dial back the supernatural entirely.

One idea floating around is something closer to the tone of the 1983 film WarGames—a grounded, tense story where a teenager uncovers a dangerous government secret. No Demogorgons. No Upside Down. Just paranoia, consequences, and very real stakes.

Maybe it connects to Hawkins Lab. Maybe it doesn’t. The horror could be psychological or political, rooted in the fallout of past experiments rather than monsters.

Another possibility is a more character-driven drama. A young genius. A small-town mystery. Real-world problems colliding with something deeply unsettling beneath the surface.

Because at its core, Stranger Things has never been just about the supernatural. It’s about connection, fear, growing up, and stepping into the unknown—whatever form that takes.

What Other Spin-Offs Got Right

If the Stranger Things universe is going to grow, there are some solid examples worth learning from.

Take Angel, the spin-off from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Instead of rehashing the same setup, it moved to a new city, shifted the tone, and let the story mature alongside its audience. It felt familiar, but darker and more adult.

Then there’s Frasier, which spun off from Cheers and somehow became an even bigger hit. New setting. New rhythm. Same heart.

Both shows nailed the same formula: take something fans care about, put it somewhere new, and let it evolve.

If Stranger Things follows that path—whether through a lightly familiar character or an entirely fresh cast—it has a real shot at pulling it off.

Why the Duffer Brothers Matter So Much

This is the part that makes all of this feel genuinely promising.

The Duffer Brothers aren’t stepping away. They’re staying involved, overseeing every new project tied to the franchise. Even if they’re not writing or directing every episode, their creative fingerprints will still be there.

That means the tone stays intact. The heart stays intact. And the universe doesn’t turn into a soulless content factory.

For fans, that reassurance matters.

When Will We See These Spin-Offs?

Short answer: not soon.

There was a three-year gap between seasons 4 and 5, and none of the spin-offs have titles or release dates yet. Development takes time—especially when creators are this hands-on.

It’s also worth noting that not every spin-off will necessarily be a TV show. The First Shadow proved that Stranger Things can exist beyond the screen. Films, graphic novels, or even interactive experiences are all on the table.

Stranger Things Is Ending—but Also Just Beginning

The bottom line is simple: Stranger Things isn’t being stretched thin. It’s evolving.

With the Duffer Brothers still deeply involved, whatever comes next won’t be a hollow cash grab. It’ll be bold, experimental, and probably a little weird—in the best possible way.

So while we may soon say goodbye to Hawkins, the world that started there is only getting bigger. And if the Duffers’ latest comments are any indication, the next chapter could be just as thrilling, mysterious, and unforgettable as the first.