As the highly anticipated series finale of “Stranger Things” approaches this New Year’s Eve, fans are preparing for the show's conclusion through various avenues, from watching the final episodes in theaters to acquiring new collectible merchandise. The acclaimed series is set to conclude, marking a significant moment for its global fanbase, with Netflix confirming theatrical screenings for the finale and Lego releasing an intricate new set.

A major highlight for collectors and fans is the unveiling of a new, massive 2593-piece Lego set featuring the iconic Creel House. This creepy mansion serves as the primary base for the Upside Down mastermind, Vecna. The meticulously designed set will be available for preorder on Lego.com starting January 1, 2026, for Lego Insider rewards program members, and January 4 for the general public. Once constructed, the model will stand 11.5 inches tall and stretch 20 inches wide, presenting an opulent replica of the Creel manor. Its front facade is highly detailed, while the open back reveals seven furnished rooms packed with “Stranger Things” Easter eggs, including Max’s mixtape cassette and Henry Creel’s ominous sketch of the Mind Flayer. The set also boasts dynamic features, allowing its exterior to reflect both its pristine past and its abandoned, boarded-up present appearance in the series. A clever mechanism also enables the house to open up to the “Upside Down,” revealing Vecna’s hidden lair. The set includes a comprehensive array of minifigures, such as Eleven, Will, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Holly, Steve, Nancy, Robin, Jonathan, and Max. Crucially, it also features minifigures of the villainous Henry Creel in his various guises: imaginary friend Mr. Whatsit and the visceral Vecna. To complete the experience, buildable versions of Will’s bicycle, Steve’s Beemer, and the WSQK radio van are also included. Retailing for $299.99, the set is recommended for builders aged 18 and up. Additionally, those who preorder the Creel House while supplies last will receive a free gift: a miniature 234-piece version of the WSQK radio station interior, complete with Joyce Byers and Sheriff Hopper minifigures. This limited-time bonus encourages early preorders.

Central to the lore and new merchandise is the story of the Creel family itself. In the 1950s, the wealthy Creel family moved into a house in Hawkins, Indiana, inherited by matriarch Virginia from a great-uncle. Soon after, they began experiencing terrifying, mysterious events, including mutilated animals, electronic interference, and horrific waking nightmares. These occurrences escalated, culminating in a mysterious telekinetic force brutally killing Virginia and her daughter Alice, leaving son Henry (Jamie Campbell Bower) in a coma. Family patriarch Victor (Robert Englund), the only survivor, was unjustly blamed and spent decades institutionalized. The true culprit, however, was Henry, a powerful and malevolent psychic who had unleashed his abilities against his own family. He was eventually exiled to the Upside Down, where the twisted counterpart of the Creel House became his operational base. Dubbed “Vecna” by the show's heroes, he has since returned to menace Hawkins and the world in the latest season of the series.

“Stranger Things 5” delves deeper into Vecna’s evolution, presenting him not just as a powerful psychic but as a true Dungeons & Dragons lich. This season marks a profound shift in how the series treats its most infamous villain, moving beyond a simple physical comeback. Vecna's return resembles the later, ascended stages of a lich in classic tabletop lore, where destruction transforms rather than diminishes. His body becomes a mere vessel, his mind extends further, and his presence evolves into a persistent influence rather than a tangible threat. This redefinition of Vecna’s power means he no longer relies on monologues or physical proximity; instead, he manipulates through thought, fear, and perception, with his influence spreading effortlessly and without warning. Holly Wheeler (Nell Fisher) serves as a critical indicator of this transformation. Her visions, calm unease, and connection to Vecna mirror the way an advanced lich channels itself through a chosen vessel, creating an unsettling attunement rather than traditional possession. Similarly, the environment of Hawkins reflects Vecna's expanded power. The broken sky, corrupted air, and the slow merging of realities illustrate how high-level liches warp their surroundings to mirror their inner world. Hawkins is not merely containing Vecna; it is being reshaped by his will, truly treating him with the cosmic scope his name implies.

Season 5 Volume 1 subtly remixes the emotional and narrative patterns of Vecna’s most famous D&D trilogy: Vecna Lives, Vecna Reborn, and Die Vecna Die. While not literal adaptations, these echoes deepen the narrative for those familiar with the original modules. The opening of Volume 1 parallels “Vecna Lives,” depicting Vecna’s return after a perceived defeat, instantly proving that the heroes had underestimated him. The characters approach the threat with assumptions from Season 4, only to face a Vecna who defies their understanding of the rules. “Vecna Reborn” centers on a single vessel becoming a psychic link between Vecna and the world he seeks to reshape, a role Holly Wheeler fills with precision. Her visions and strange clarity echo the prophetic child at the heart of the module, whose connection becomes key to Vecna’s next stage of power. The most significant parallel lies in the finale of the trilogy, “Die Vecna Die,” where Vecna attempts to merge and rewrite entire planes. The distortion of Hawkins, the bleeding of the Upside Down into the real world, and the instability of time and space in Season 5 are direct thematic descendants of this concept. The show translates the feeling of living inside a collapsing cosmology into a grounded, cinematic, and emotionally resonant experience, showcasing Vecna as a mythic force that rewrites the boundaries of their world. The stakes for the final episodes are elevated; the battle is no longer just about saving Hawkins but confronting a being who has already altered the very laws of their reality.

In a grand send-off, Netflix has confirmed that the “Stranger Things” series finale will be screened in over 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada. These special screenings will commence on December 31 at 5 p.m. PT and run through January 1, 2026. The finale itself has a confirmed runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. Fans can find a full list of participating theater locations and instructions on how to RSVP at www.st5finale.com. Notably, tickets will not be sold directly; instead, exhibitors will sell concession vouchers that guarantee a seat, allowing theater owners to retain all revenue from these screenings. Netflix’s own theaters will not be selling tickets or concession vouchers, but fans can sign up via an RSVP list. This move marks a change in strategy for Netflix, as the Duffer brothers had initially expressed a desire for theatrical screenings, which Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria initially resisted. However, strong fan demand prompted a reversal. This initiative is significant as it's the first time Netflix is screening a series finale in theaters without recouping any box office returns. The first four episodes of “Stranger Things” Season 5 are currently available, with the next three episodes scheduled to drop on December 25, leading up to the grand finale on December 31, simultaneously on Netflix and in theaters. The series’ enduring popularity is evident, as all four previous seasons re-entered Netflix's Top 10 list prior to Season 5’s launch, a first for any series.