The staggering budget behind the final season of Netflix's flagship series, Stranger Things, has been laid bare, revealing a production cost that rivals Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. This revelation comes in the wake of the release of the behind-the-scenes documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, which dropped on Netflix earlier this month.
The Blockbuster Budget Breakdown
According to figures from Forbes via Puck, the production of Stranger Things season five carried an estimated price tag of between £32.7 million ($50 million) and £44.5 million ($60 million) for each episode. With a total of eight episodes in the climactic season, the upper estimate puts the total cost for the entire run at a colossal £357 million ($480 million).
This immense sum dramatically overshadows the outlay for other popular Netflix originals. For instance, reports suggest the cosy drama Virgin River costs around £2.24 million per episode, while the lavish Bridgerton is estimated at £6.6 million per instalment. The Duffer Brothers themselves described each episode as a "mini movie," a comparison borne out by the numbers. The final season's budget even exceeded that of major cinematic events like 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens (£331m) and was only slightly less than 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (£363m).
Fan Backlash and Rising Costs
The documentary's insight into the lavish spending has arrived alongside significant fan discontent regarding the series finale. One Last Adventure confirmed that the ending was not fully complete when production began, a fact that has fuelled criticism of the finale's execution. The negative response was so potent it spawned the 'Conformity Gate' theory and rumours of a secret ninth episode.
The budget for the show's conclusion marks a sharp increase from the previous season. Season four cost an estimated £22 million ($30 million) per episode, amounting to roughly £200 million for its nine episodes. This means the budget for the final outing more than doubled, a rise attributed to the show's ballooning popularity, cast salaries, and the complex visual effects required to close its epic narrative.
The Duffer Brothers' Lucrative Deal
While exact figures for the creators' earnings from Stranger Things are not public, reports from outlets like fandomwire suggest Matt and Ross Duffer netted a nine-figure sum. The duo signed a major multi-year deal with Netflix in 2019 to produce further films and series, a pact described at the time as "highly lucrative."
In a statement from 2019, the brothers said: "We are absolutely thrilled to continue our relationship with Netflix... They took a huge chance on us and our show — and forever changed our lives." Interestingly, industry whispers from The Hollywood Reporter in 2025 suggest the Duffers may now be eyeing a potential move to Netflix rival Paramount, which would reunite them with former Netflix executive Cindy Holland.
The final figures confirm that no expense was spared in bringing the saga of Hawkins to a close, cementing Stranger Things' status not just as a cultural phenomenon, but as one of the most expensive television productions ever made. All seasons are available to stream on Netflix now.
