'Stranger Things' 5 Volume 1 Receives Rave Reviews as Shawn Levy Engages Fans in What’s Coming Next

Published 11/28/2025, 11:23 AM EST

After years of suspense, viewer discussions, and their eager anticipation to return to the world of Hawkins, Stranger Things came back in full force a couple of days ago. As excitement reached a fever pitch, audiences finally got a glimpse of the much-awaited season 5 of the saga, though only its first part has been released so far. After giving viewers ample time to catch up with the instalment, Shawn Levy, one of the directors of the IP, reached out to fans via social media, urging them to share their thoughts and reviews.

Shawn Levy took to Instagram in the early hours of Friday, November 28, to post unseen behind-the-scenes pictures from Stranger Things 5. He captioned his upload: “Season 5, Volume 1—Thoughts? Theories? Concerns?” As expected, the creative’s comments section got flooded with responses from the show's passionate viewers, and thankfully for Levy and the entire team of the offering, they were all positive. From praises in words to GIFs expressing their feelings, fans left no stone unturned in letting Levy know how much they appreciated what was delivered.

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Stranger Things volume one, for those unversed, comprises four episodes. Volume two, containing episodes five to seven, is set to drop on Christmas Day, and the final hurrah, episode eight of the title, concluding the nearly decade-long journey, will debut on New Year’s Eve. After watching the initial instalment, fans informed Levy that they cannot wait for what more is in store for them.

Every 'Stranger Things' Season 5 Volume 1 Song Your Playlist Desperately Needs

Amid reports of a Stranger Things spin-off, fans labelled Stranger Things 5 the best season so far despite only the first part out.

Stranger Things 5 Volume One stands out for fans

One fan under Shawn Levy’s post called the new Stranger Things season “absolutely phenomenal,” while another wrote, “Best season by far, so worth the wait.” A third viewer kept it brief and ecstatic with a simple “AMAZING.” Meanwhile, someone shared a Sadie Sink GIF to playfully hint that they hope to see her character awake again, capturing just how invested audiences remain.

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Fans appeared especially appreciative of the tender moments between Robin and Will, with one calling their scenes “absolutely BEAUTIFUL,” particularly Robin’s tunnel speech that still lingers in their mind, while another gushed that “the robin/will duo is everything.” Their reactions added to the wave of praise surrounding season 5 volume one, reflecting how deeply the characters still resonate. As viewers celebrate these emotional beats and share their excitement, it is clear the series is closing its final chapter on a powerful, heartfelt note.

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Did you also leave a comment under Shawn Levy’s post? If not, now would be the right time.

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Seema Sinha

650 articles

Seema Sinha is a journalist at Netflix Junkie, covering the celebrity culture and global cinema beats. With three years of experience at major Hollywood media verticals, she filters real news from the gossip and buzz. Her core focus is on pop culture narratives surrounding musicians—primarily Taylor Swift—with her reporting striking a fine balance between human insight and editorial clarity.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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