Eight Episodes to End an Era: Stranger Things 5 and the Netflix Year-End Surge

Eight episodes are all that remain of a pop culture phenomenon. Stranger Things has returned to dominate the streaming charts as we hit December 27, 2025. With the Christmas batch of episodes now available, fans are counting down the final 4 days until the series finale lands on New Year's Eve.

The Siege of Hawkins and Historical Thrills

As Hawkins remains under military quarantine, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is secretly honing her powers for a final confrontation with Vecna. But Netflix isn't just relying on nostalgia. Last Samurai Standing, a brutal 6-episode miniseries set in the late 1800s, is drawing comparisons to Squid Game. It follows 292 former samurai competing for a ¥100,000 prize in a deadly tournament.

Gaming Icons Reimagined

The slate also strengthens Netflix’s gaming-to-screen pipeline. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, developed by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, delivers a gritty animated take on Sam Fisher's world. Meanwhile, The Witcher Season 4 introduces Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt of Rivia, shifting focus toward Yennefer and Ciri as the series prepares for its fifth and final season.