Stranger Things has concluded with its fifth season, becoming Netflix's most expensive show to date. The Duffer Brothers, creators of the sci-fi drama, revealed the challenges of producing the final season in a documentary titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which features interviews with cast and crew.
The production budget for season five is estimated between $400 million and $480 million (£297 million to £357 million), according to reports. Cast salaries contributed significantly, with Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder each earning $350,000 (£260,000) per episode. The season featured epic battle scenes, extensive sets, and advanced special effects.
The show's budget has grown steadily since its first season, which had a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Season two nearly doubled its production budget and earned a 94% rating, winning a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing. Season three saw increased investment in special effects and set pieces, such as the Starcourt Mall, and set a viewership record with 40.7 million accounts watching at least 70% within four days.
Season four marked a huge leap in scale, with longer episodes and more intricate visual effects, including the debut of the antagonist Vecna. The season was split into two volumes and praised for its darker tone. The final season, released three years after season four, promised feature-length episodes and improved special effects to bring the series to an epic conclusion.
