Netflix TUDUM offered fans an exclusive preview of the opening sequence of Stranger Things Season 5 during a red-carpet event at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The livestream began at 5:00 PM PT on November 6, 2025, and after two hours of anticipation, the first five minutes of the final season were finally revealed.
The scene begins with Will Byers, giving viewers a direct look at what happened moments after his abduction by the Demogorgon in 1983. The twelve-year-old boy is shown lying unconscious in the eerie forest of the Upside Down, softly singing a familiar tune in his sleep before waking up in terror.
He hears the Demogorgon approaching to attack. Will grabs a gun and fires, but the creature remains unaffected. Panicked, he runs, scrambling up a tree for safety, only to fall and lose consciousness.
The monster drags Will through the dark terrain until they reach Vecna, who appears more terrifying than ever. As Will is pulled closer, Vecna's tentacles tighten around him, pressing him helplessly against the wall in a chilling moment that sets the tone for the new season.
Author’s summary: Netflix’s early reveal of Stranger Things Season 5 opens with Will Byers’ terrifying encounter in the Upside Down, unveiling Vecna’s sinister role in his 1983 disappearance.