The final curtain has fallen on Netflix's global phenomenon, Stranger Things, with its fifth season concluding the saga. As creators Matt and Ross Duffer move on to new projects, they have left fans with a parting gift: a documentary detailing the immense challenges of producing the show's epic finale.
One Last Adventure Behind the Scenes
The documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, features candid interviews with the Duffer Brothers and key cast and crew. They discuss the escalating scale of the storytelling, from intricate set designs and complex stunt sequences to the evolution of character costumes. The final season's climactic battle scenes and impressive backdrops left no doubt about its multi-million pound price tag.
The brothers admitted the series expanded year on year, with production costs rising accordingly as they continually aimed higher. Beyond the technical budget, a significant portion was allocated to cast salaries. Reports indicate that stars including Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, and Winona Ryder earned approximately £260,000 per episode for the final seasons.
The Soaring Budget of a Global Hit
The financial journey of Stranger Things is a tale of explosive growth. According to industry reports, the production budgets for each season were:
- Season 1 (2016): Reported cost of £35 million. The debut season, praised for its nostalgic 80s world-building, holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and launched its young cast to stardom.
- Season 2 (2017): Budget nearly doubled to £53 million. It maintained critical acclaim (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing.
- Season 3 (2019): Cost rose to £59 million, funding elaborate sets like the Starcourt Mall. It set a Netflix viewership record, with 40.7 million accounts watching most of the season within four days.
- Season 4 (2022): Budget skyrocketed to an estimated £200 million. This funded longer episodes, the CGI-heavy villain Vecna, and a darker, cinematic tone split into two volumes.
- Season 5 (2026): The final season became Netflix's most expensive production ever, with a reported budget between £297-357 million. It featured feature-length episodes and groundbreaking special effects to deliver a conclusive bang.
A Record-Breaking Finale
The investment in the fifth season paid off in viewer engagement. After the first four episodes aired, the season amassed a staggering 59.6 million views in its first five days on the streaming platform. This cemented the show's status as a defining title in Netflix's library and a cultural touchstone.
The documentary provides a fitting epilogue, showcasing the immense effort and resources required to bring the world of Hawkins to a close. Both Stranger Things Season 5 and One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 are available to stream on Netflix.
