The highly anticipated series finale of “Stranger Things” arrived after five seasons and nearly a decade, offering fans a unique send-off. Unlike previous episodes, the finale received a limited theatrical release on December 31 and January 1 across 500 theaters, coinciding with its drop on Netflix. This decision allowed the pop culture phenomenon to be event-ized, creating a communal viewing experience that resonated deeply with its dedicated fanbase.

Screenings, some as early as 5 p.m. PT, saw packed theaters, notably Netflix’s own Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. Audiences, many donning Hellfire Club t-shirts, WSQK shirts, bowl cuts, and other 1980s apparel from the show, eagerly experienced the finale on the big screen. The diverse crowd included fans who might have been in kindergarten when the show debuted in 2016, highlighting the series’ enduring appeal across generations. For many, including one attendee who had watched the show for most of their twenties, seeing the conclusion in theaters among fellow fans was an experience akin to cinematic blockbusters like “Avengers: Endgame” or “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” marking the end of a decade-long journey of fandom.

The two-hour-plus finale was stuffed with huge emotional moments and otherworldly battles, effectively paying off every character arc and delivering a fitting ending for the ensemble cast. The Duffer Brothers, the series creators, ensured the final chapter left a lasting impression, solidifying “Stranger Things’” legacy as the streaming era’s defining sci-fi/fantasy blockbuster. The audience reactions in the theater were a testament to the finale’s impact, ranging from cheers at the Netflix logo to singing along with David Bowie in the closing credits.

Several key moments elicited significant emotional responses. Eleventh on the list of audience reactions was Hopper’s decision to go back for Kali (Linnea Berthelsen) during a tense military chase, affirming his heroism after initially rescuing only Eleven. Shortly after, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) liberated herself and Hopper by forcing the season’s side-antagonist, Lt. Robert Akers (Alex Breaux), to turn his gun on himself—a cathartic moment amplified by Murray (Brett Gelman) blowing up a helicopter outside. A heartfelt proposal between Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) also garnered a massive reaction. After the kids graduated, Hopper took Joyce to a fancy restaurant, floated the idea of moving to Montauk (a nod to the show's original setting), and then got down on one knee with a ring, asking her to spend the rest of her life with him.

More tear-jerking scenes included Eleven’s emotional moment with Hopper, where she tenderly explained she isn’t his lost daughter Sara, returning a hair tie that once belonged to Sara and relieving Hopper of his guilt. This led to audible sniffles in the theater. Her final scene with Mike (Finn Wolfhard) created audible sobs as Eleven made the decision to stay in the Upside Down. They shared tearful embraces over Prince’s “Purple Rain,” a beautiful and tragic sequence that left the audience breaking down with the characters.

The ensemble’s defeat of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) provided several cathartic moments. Joyce delivered the final, impactful blow, decapitating Vecna with an ax after he was impaled against a spike in the heart of the Mind Flayer. Her declaration, “You fucked with the wrong family,” before hacking away at his neck, was hailed as the finale’s “I am Iron Man” moment, resonating strongly with the audience. Another moment of heroism came when Eleven successfully reentered the Abyss via a shortcut, distracting the Mind Flayer with a boulder to the head before charging it, ripping a hole in its chest, and diving in like a superhero, earning a superheroic ovation.

Derek Turnbow (Jake Connelly), a standout addition to “Stranger Things 5” and arguably the funniest character, provided significant laughs. His most shining moment in the finale occurred when he saved Holly (Nell Fisher) from Vecna’s clutches in the Cave, pulling her to safety and then famously flipping off Vecna with his signature line: “Suck my fat one.” The audience also audibly gasped during a scene where Hopper, tricked by Vecna, fired his gun at an apparition, only for the bullets to hit the water tank where Eleven was submerged. The revelation of blood pouring from Eleven’s body shocked the theater, though her wounds proved fabricated, and Hopper’s panicked decision veered the plot in an unexpected direction, with Vecna’s rumbling villainous voice adding to the spooky atmosphere.

An early episode moment that tested audience fears was during Eleven’s attempt to align the falling Abyss with the radio tower. As seconds ticked down and characters faced odds across three realms, the screen cut to black, seemingly indicating Steve’s (Joe Keery) death. These cries of despair turned into cheers of triumph when Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), Steve's series-long rival, saved him. This cathartic moment, along with Joe Keery’s name receiving the loudest applause during closing credits, underscored the emotional investment. The top moment for many was Will (Noah Schnapp) embodying Vecna to save Eleven, giving the heroes the upper hand in the final battle. This satisfying moment, likened to Captain America wielding Mjölnir, affirmed the villain’s fate and the heroes’ capabilities.

While some minor missteps, such as the military subplots with Dr. Kay (Linda Hamilton) and obvious death fake-outs (like Steve not falling), were noted, these were largely overshadowed by the thrilling final battle against an upgraded, Kaiju-sized Mind Flayer. The Duffer Brothers bravely asked, “Why not both?” when it came to whether Vecna or the Mind Flayer would be the ultimate villain, culminating in Joyce’s violent decapitation of Vecna after he refused redemption, remaining true to his dark ambitions. The finale allowed largely sidelined characters to shine, with David Harbour delivering his strongest work as Hopper and Finn Wolfhard’s Mike serving as the emotional linchpin, conveying tear-jerking beats with a powerful performance.

Other pleasures included well-timed flashbacks, delightful Derek’s quip to Vecna, Kali and Eleven’s clever trickery, and Steve’s role as the best baseball coach. The episode’s impressive needle drops featured two Prince songs, Iron Maiden, and perfectly placed David Bowie over the Dungeons & Dragons-inspired end credits. Crucially, the finale avoided any obvious spin-off teases, instead treating the five existing seasons as a complete campaign, symbolically ending with an image of a closed “Stranger Things RPG Players Manual.” This decision allows the story of these characters to conclude here, providing a supremely satisfying ending to a journey that, despite a few speedbumps, arrived at a high note.