Stranger Things 5 first 5 minutes: What went down in the exclusive look at the show

Things are much tense than before in Stranger Things 5. With its release scheduled on November 26, 2025, viewers await finding out what's next for their beloved characters in the final season. While there are still a few weeks left for the first volume of season 5 to drop on Netflix, the platform has brought an exciting surprise for the fans worldwide.

On November 6, 2025, a premiere event was hosted for Stranger Things 5 in which the first five minutes of the latest season's first episode were unveiled to the viewers. The clip showcased a striking connection to the first season and hinted that things are going to get tougher this season.

Here's all that the first five minutes of Stranger Things 5 showcased and what's behind everything shown in it.

---

Stranger Things 5 episode 1's first five minutes unveiled

Netflix brought a chance for the fans to take a glimpse at the final season before its release on Stranger Things Day. The first five minutes of Stranger Things 5 episode 1 have been made public by the streaming platform. From tense moments to unexpected connections, the clip briefly showcased all that is coming ahead in the last season of the popular series.

In the first five minutes, viewers were taken back to the time of the first season and were made to look at Will's side of the story that they had not witnessed so far. Stuck in the Upside Down, Will sings the song Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash in his makeshift tent, Castle Byers.

Will, alone in the dark and cold Upside Down, is then attacked by a Demogorgon. Shooting him with a gun, Will runs and climbs a tree to save himself. However, the Demogorgon finds him and heads up the tree to grab the boy. Will makes a bold jump to the adjacent tree, but falls. The Demogorgon takes the unconscious Will to Vecna, who then entraps the boy in vines.

One of the vines connects to Will's mouth as Vecna starts taking control over the boy. The clip ends with Vecna stating:

"You and I, we are going to do such beautiful things together, William. Such beautiful things."

---

What's behind the first five minutes of Stranger Things 5?

A still from the first five minutes of season 5 (Image via YouTube/@Netflix)

The first five minutes of Stranger Things 5 episode 1, titled 'The Crawl', deliver tense and shocking moments, hinting at the chaos that is going to be unleashed ahead in the series. The final season is expected to put the missing pieces together, and the latest glimpse at the series just proved it right by taking the viewers back in time.

Following the story of the young Will Byers from the time he went missing in season 1, the first five minutes touch upon different elements that were shown in the first installment. The scene of Will in Castle Byers connects to the moment in the first season where Eleven transmits Will's voice via the Walkie Talkie for Mike. The moment becomes a clue for Mike to learn that Will was alive.

The song Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash is also a significant reference to the first season. It is a symbol of the strong connection that Will shares with his brother, Jonathan. The brother had made him listen to the track by including it in a mixtape for him. It is also featured in season 2, when Jonathan, Joyce, Mike, and Hopper try to communicate with a possessed Will.

Vecna's presence in the first five minutes also indicates that he has been involved since the first season and may have executed evil plans that could challenge Will, Eleven, and their team in the final season.

---

Stay tuned for more updates.