The rating of the fifth season of Stranger Things has sharply declined
Viewers Express Strong Criticism Toward the Second Half of Stranger Things Final Season
Following the release of the second part of the fifth and final season of Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, there has been a noticeable decline in the show’s ratings and audience approval. While earlier seasons were met with widespread acclaim, the latest episodes have sparked considerable backlash, as reflected in major user review platforms.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score for season five has dropped to just 66 percent. This marks a significant decrease compared to previous seasons, which earned much higher ratings: the first season garnered 96 percent, the second 90 percent, the third 86 percent, and the fourth 89 percent. Consequently, the final season is now the lowest-rated installment in the entire series.
IMDb Ratings Show a Downward Trend
The negative response became especially apparent after the release of episode seven, titled “The Bridge.” On IMDb, this episode received a rating of only 5.4 out of 10, making it the least favored episode across all five seasons. Notably, within just 12 hours of its release, its score dropped by more than half a point, indicating rapid viewer dissatisfaction.
Key Viewer Criticisms
Fans have voiced several concerns about the creative decisions in the concluding episodes. One major point of contention is the farewell scene between Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), which many viewers felt was tonally inconsistent and disrupted the overall narrative flow.
Another frequently discussed issue is the sudden elevation of Holly (Tinsley Price), a previously minor character, into a pivotal role. Many audience members felt her increased prominence lacked sufficient explanation and felt forced within the story.
Additionally, long-time protagonists Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Mike (Finn Wolfhard) were perceived by some fans as sidelined, with their story arcs receiving less focus during the season’s climax.
The resolution of Will’s (Noah Schnapp) coming out storyline also drew criticism. Viewers had anticipated a more heartfelt and private moment, but instead found the scene to be overly public and lacking emotional depth.
Lastly, the introduction of new revelations about the Upside Down’s nature and its connection to another dark realm was seen as adding unnecessary complexity to the series’ mythology just before the finale.
Looking Ahead
Only one episode remains—the eighth and final installment of season five—which is expected to have a runtime of around two hours. The creators are counting on this concluding episode to resolve the numerous storylines and provide a satisfying conclusion to the saga that began in 2016.
The final episode of Stranger Things is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 31, 2025.
