Summary:
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Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 launches with an 85% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest debut so far in the series’ history.
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The season’s audience score hits 90%, matching the high of Season 2 and showing that many fans remain enthusiastic.
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Early reviews praise the show for its scope and ambition weaving together familiar characters, new threats, and high-stakes drama but some critics say the scale and structuring make the narrative feel overly crowded.
Stranger Things returns with its long-awaited final chapter Season 5 but the early critical reception is more mixed than past seasons. With Volume 1 now available, critics have given the season an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest yet. Yet fans seem more on board, with a strong 90% audience score. Here’s what the numbers show and what that might mean for the rest of the season.
Why is the Stranger Things Season 5 Rotten Tomatoes score lower than previous seasons?
Season 5’s 85% Tomatometer rating is indeed the lowest debut for Stranger Things previous seasons scored higher: Season 1 hit 97%, Season 2 94%, and Seasons 3 and 4 hovered around 89%.
Several critics have flagged that while the ambition and scope of Season 5 are impressive, the narrative sometimes feels overextended. One review described the storytelling as “stretched thin,” arguing that with so many characters and plot threads, some storylines don’t get the depth they deserve.
At the same time, other critics have applauded the risk returning to core relationships while expanding the lore and escalating the stakes. For many, the shift toward a larger-scale showdown still works.
Because only 47 critic reviews contributed to this score so far, it’s possible the Tomatometer may shift once more reviews come in especially after the next batch of episodes release.
READ MORE: Stranger Things Season 5 Cast and Character Guide
How fans are reacting? Audience score and early impressions
The 90% audience score for Season 5 matches the high point of Season 2 indicating that many viewers are still enjoying the ride, even if critics are more reserved.
Feedback from fans so far tends to praise the familiar return to the show’s roots characters reuniting, emotional moments, and nostalgic callbacks. And for many, the heightened horror, new threats, and sense of urgency have resonated.
That said, some longtime watchers warn that with so many plots and characters, Season 5 might feel “too busy.” But overall, the audience reaction suggests enthusiasm is still high.
READ MORE: Stranger Things Season 5 Release: Global Rollout Strategy Explained
What this lower critic score could mean for Season 5’s final episodes
A lower critic score doesn’t necessarily spell doom. It could reflect dangerous, bold choices by the creators: bigger scale, more lore, and greater narrative risk. Some critics see these as strengths rather than faults.
Because Volume 1 covers only the first four episodes, the remaining episodes including the finale still have a chance to sway both critics and fans. A strong finish could reinforce the show’s legacy rather than diminish it.
Given the 90% audience score, there’s reason to believe many viewers will stick with the series through the end regardless of critical consensus.
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