The Duffer brothers recommend watching these 4 key episodes before the release of Stranger Things 5

The final season of Netflix's popular series, Stranger Things 5, is all set to drop on November 26, 2025. It has been a long wait for the final season, as the fourth installment was released in 2022.

Be it the Mind Flayer, the Demogorgons, or Vecna, the heroes of Hawkins have been putting up a strong foot forward each season. But things are much tougher than ever in season 5. Eleven and her friends must use the last chance they have to put an end to the evil forces from the Upside Down.

With volume 1 dropping soon, viewers may want to take a look back at what happened in previous seasons ahead of the latest season. The Duffer brothers have made the task easy for all by recommending four key episodes to watch before streaming season 5. Here's all you need to know about the creators' recommendations.

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The Duffer brothers reveal four key episodes to watch before streaming Stranger Things 5

(L-R) Ross Duffer and Matt Duffer at Stranger Things 5 UK Special Screening (Image via Getty)

Stranger Things 5 is set to unveil volume 1 on Netflix, which comprises a total of four episodes. In an attempt to come full circle in the final part, Ross and Matt Duffer revealed that they have made several major connections to previous seasons in the upcoming installment (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter).

However, with season 5 coming out on Netflix on November 26, 2025, viewers may not have the time to catch up on all four seasons again. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Duffer brothers recommended four important episodes that viewers must watch before tuning in to Stranger Things season 5.

Here's a list of episodes that the creators suggested watching before season 5:

1. Stranger Things season 2 episode 4 - Will The Wise
2. Stranger Things season 2 episode six - The Spy
3. Stranger Things season 4 episode seven - The Massacre at Hawkins Lab
4. Stranger Things season 4 episode nine - The Piggyback

For the viewers who fall short of time to rewatch all previous seasons, the Duffer brothers' recommended watch may help in connecting the dots better while streaming season 5 volume 1.

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The Duffer Brothers elaborate on the choice of four key episodes to rewatch ahead of Stranger Things 5

The four episodes mentioned above have been highlighted by the Duffer brothers as important references that will help set up the premise for Volume 1. While several vital elements from past seasons may be connected directly to season 5 volume 1, the creators shared their reasons for choosing these episodes specifically.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Duffer talked about the four episodes:

"Season two is when we really started to build out the mythology and started to dive into everything, and how this was going to be an ongoing [series]. That’s where we started to really plant the seeds for the mythology, and I think probably that’s why that is as relevant as it is. Season four is also highly relevant — ‘Massacre at Hawkins Lab’ is a good one.”

Ross Duffer further added:

"That [episode] starts unveiling some of the Upside Down mythology and starts giving some answers, and, of course, all the stuff with Henry (Jamie Campbell Bower) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) continues to resonate throughout season five. Those are some good ones to revisit.”

While the creators' words suggest that some vital links may have been established in these four episodes, viewers can expect more shocking developments and plot twists ahead in volume 1.

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Stranger Things 5 Volume 1 releases on November 26, 2025, on Netflix.