Okay Stranger Things fans it is almost time to say goodbye to Hawkins and the gang. Season 5 the final season is on its way and we are all kinds of emotional about it. Ten years of Demogorgons Eggo waffles and 80s nostalgia are wrapping up. But what happens after? What show can possibly fill that Stranger Things shaped hole in our hearts? Well Netflix might already have the answer hiding in plain sight!
Move Over Hawkins? 'Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous' Could Be Netflix's Next Big Thing (Seriously!)
While nothing can truly replace Stranger Things Netflix might have a worthy successor ready to go: Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. Yep the animated dinosaur show. Hear us out! Camp Cretaceous has been quietly building a fanbase for five seasons and it has got surprising similarities to Stranger Things that could make a live-action version Netflix's next young adult obsession.
Think about it. Both shows are about a group of kids thrown into extraordinary situations way bigger than themselves. Just like Eleven and the Hawkins crew the Camp Cretaceous kids rely on their wits their friendships and a healthy dose of bravery to survive. And both shows have that addictive quality that keeps you hooked season after season.
With Stranger Things ending its run in 2025 a live-action Camp Cretaceous series could be perfectly timed to capture that audience craving for adventure friendship and a touch of the extraordinary. It is a bold idea but Netflix has pulled off live-action adaptations before think One Piece and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Could dinosaurs be next?
Sadie Sink Gets Real: Season 5 Was 'Hard to Shoot' and 'Messy' But We Are Not Ready To Say Goodbye
Speaking of Stranger Things Season 5 get ready for an emotional rollercoaster behind the scenes too. Sadie Sink who plays Max recently opened up about filming the final season and it sounds intense. She said Season 5 was "a really hard season to shoot" and praised the crew for their hard work throughout a whole year of filming.
Sink described the emotions as "up and down" "shifting a lot" on set. She said the cast was "on the same page" during the final month realizing how tough it was but also not wanting it to end. The table read for the finale really hit hard. Sink confessed she was "crying after that crying that morning with Maya [Hawke] in the car" just realizing it was all coming to an end. "Seeing 'end series' on the script it was so much" she explained. Even though it was "messy" and difficult it sounds like the cast poured their hearts into this final season.
Sink hinted that Season 5 will really showcase the growth of the young actors saying "this is the season where you really get to see all of the you know former child actors as adult actors." She praised the Duffer Brothers for always meeting them "where we're at" with the material and highlighted "really amazing performances and arcs" to come. Get your tissues ready folks it sounds like Season 5 is going to be an emotional goodbye for everyone involved both on and off screen.
Stranger Things Season 5: Release Dates Episode Titles and Upside Down Secrets - What We Know So Far
So when can we actually expect to return to Hawkins for the last time? Netflix hasn't announced an official release date yet but reports are pointing to a split release in 2025 . Rumor has it the first six episodes will drop around October 10 2025 and the final two epic episodes will follow on November 27 2025. Mark your calendars but remember these are still just reports not confirmed dates.
We do know some episode titles though and they are intriguing. Here is the confirmed list so far:
- Chapter One: The Crawl
- Chapter Two: [Title Missing]
- Chapter Three: The Deep End
- Chapter Four: The Vanishing of Will Byers
- Chapter Five: The Clock
- Chapter Six: The Piggyback
- Chapter Seven: The First Shadow
- Chapter Eight: The Muffin
Notice that missing title for Episode 2? Fans are already theorizing what secrets it might hold and how it could connect to past seasons. Netflix is definitely keeping us on our toes. Season 5 is confirmed to take place in the fall of 1987 a year after the events of Season 4 and will introduce some new faces to Hawkins. Linda Hamilton of Terminator fame is joining the cast along with Nell Fisher Jake Connelly and Alex Breaux. The Duffer Brothers have promised "big reveals" and answers to long-standing questions about the Upside Down in this final season. They have even had a 25-page document outlining all the Upside Down secrets for years! Get ready for an epic conclusion with plenty of surprises in store.
Why Camp Cretaceous Could Actually Work as the Next Stranger Things Vibe Check
Let's get back to Camp Cretaceous as a potential Stranger Things replacement. Beyond the kid-centric plots there are some deeper similarities that could really resonate with fans.
Both shows have a strong focus on serialized storytelling and character development. We have watched the Hawkins kids and the Nublar Six grow up season after season. These shows are not just about monsters and action they are about the characters and their relationships evolving over time. Just like Mike and Eleven's relationship showed the awkwardness and changes of adolescence Brooklynn and Ken in Camp Cretaceous dealt with the shifting priorities and feelings as they grew up after trauma. These character complexities are something fans deeply connect with in both shows.
A live-action Camp Cretaceous could tap into that same emotional core while offering a fresh take on the Jurassic franchise. It could blend genres like horror sci-fi drama and action just like Stranger Things does. And with five seasons of animation to draw from there's plenty of source material to adapt and expand upon. It might sound crazy but a live-action Camp Cretaceous series could be just what Netflix needs to fill the void after Stranger Things ends bringing in a new generation of fans while satisfying viewers craving that familiar blend of adventure heart and a touch of the unknown.
Stranger Things Season 5: Key Things To Know For The Final Season
- Final Season: Season 5 will be the last season of Stranger Things.
- 2025 Release: Expected to release in 2025 possibly with a split release in October and November.
- Episode Titles Revealed: Episode titles are confirmed except for Episode 2 sparking fan theories.
- New Cast Members: Linda Hamilton Nell Fisher Jake Connelly and Alex Breaux join the cast.
- Set in Fall 1987: Season 5 takes place a year after Season 4.
- Upside Down Secrets: The Duffer Brothers promise major reveals and answers about the Upside Down.
- Emotional Conclusion: Sadie Sink hints at an emotionally intense and "messy" final season for the cast and characters.
So What's Next? Get Ready for Stranger Things Season 5 and Maybe Keep an Eye on Those Dinosaurs...
Whether Netflix actually decides to go live-action with Camp Cretaceous or not one thing is clear: the search for the next big young adult phenomenon is on. And as we gear up for the final season of Stranger Things it is a good time to appreciate the show's impact and legacy and maybe start looking around for what could be next. Stranger Things Season 5 is coming and it is going to be emotional epic and probably a little scary. Get ready to say goodbye to Hawkins but who knows maybe a new adventure with dinosaurs is on the horizon too. The future of Netflix and young adult sci-fi adventure is wide open!