As the highly anticipated Stranger Things Season 5 finale approaches, Noah Schnapp opened up about the cast’s plan to watch the final episode together for the first time. The 21-year-old actor, known for playing Will Byers, shared details during an appearance on Good Morning America on December 15, 2025, revealing the emotional weight of saying goodbye to the show that has shaped his life.

The Cast’s Farewell Plan

Schnapp revealed that neither he nor his costars—including Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), and Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield)—will watch the series finale until it officially premieres for the world.

“I’m nervous to watch it,” Schnapp admitted. “Once you watch that, it’s done. That’s the last episode we’re ever gonna watch together.” He continued, explaining that the cast plans to view the finale as a group, likely spending the rest of the day—and even the month—emotional over the conclusion of their journey.

Noah also mentioned that he plans to see the finale in theaters with his family on New Year’s Eve, noting the possibility of wearing a mask for privacy. The episode is set to drop on Netflix and in select theaters on December 31, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.

Growing Up on Stranger Things

Schnapp has been part of the Stranger Things family since the show’s inception, joining the cast at just 11 years old. Reflecting on the experience, he said:

“I’m gonna miss our family of Stranger Things—not just the cast, though, the crew, and everyone at Netflix who’s worked on it. It’s all kind of just family. We’ve grown up with each other, and it’s going to be hard to not have that.”

The actors have formed strong bonds both on and off screen, making the finale not just the end of a series, but the closing of a formative chapter in their lives.

Early Reactions from the Cast

Prior to Schnapp’s GMA interview, he told Entertainment Weekly that the cast is “just as excited as fans” to see the story unfold. He admitted to already being emotional after watching episodes 5 and 6 of Season 5, calling them “so good” and revealing that he was moved to tears.

Other cast members, including Finn Wolfhard and David Harbour, have also teased the finale. Wolfhard described the resolution of Mike Wheeler’s story as “definitely a lot to process,” while Harbour called the final episode “the best episode they’ve ever done.”

Stranger Things Season 5 Release Schedule

• Volume 1: Currently streaming
• Volume 2: Premieres December 25, 2025
• Series Finale: December 31, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET

Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of this Netflix hit series, and the cast’s emotional viewing plan highlights the impact Stranger Things has had on both the actors and its global audience.