Did Stranger Things season 5 episode runtimes really leak? Ross Duffer clears the air

Interest in Stranger Things season 5 continues to grow, as viewers wait for the final chapter of the series. At the same time, recent discussions online about the possible running times of the new episodes have drawn widespread attention. Unverified claims about episode lengths began circulating on social media, creating noticeable buzz within the fan community. 

These reports suggested that the upcoming season might include longer episodes, similar to what was seen in Season 4. The speculation led many to question whether the final season would follow the same extended format. In response to these rumors, series co-creator Ross Duffer has spoken out, clearly stating that the leaked episode runtimes are not accurate.

Rumored runtimes stir online chatter

 

 

 

 

 

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Over the past few days, online communities began circulating what appeared to be a list of the running times for each episode in the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. 

According to the now-debunked reports, the episodes were said to be exceptionally long, with some running well over 90 minutes. Given that several episodes in Season 4 exceeded standard lengths—most notably the Season 4 finale, which ran approximately two and a half hours—the claims did not seem entirely implausible to many fans.

The reports gained traction quickly, with fans sharing opinions, predictions, and reactions. Some embraced the idea of longer episodes as a fitting send-off for the beloved Netflix series, while others questioned the feasibility of such runtimes from a production standpoint. The rumors soon caught the attention of the show's creators.

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Ross Duffer responds

 

 

 

 

 

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Addressing the situation, Ross Duffer took to social media to clarify the status of the leaked information. In a concise post on Threads, Duffer stated, 

“Those are not the episode lengths,” directly referring to the circulating runtime list. He followed this statement with a lighthearted tone, writing, “Unless someone is cutting these together without us,” effectively confirming that the official runtimes have not yet been released and any reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.

This is not the first time that misinformation regarding Stranger Things season 5 has surfaced ahead of a new season. Given the series’ massive global following and highly anticipated conclusion, it is not uncommon for false or unverified details to make their way online.

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What Is Known About Stranger Things season 5

While exact runtimes remain under wraps, some information about Season 5 has been officially confirmed. The Duffer Brothers have previously shared that the fifth season will bring the Hawkins saga to a close, with the core cast returning for the final installment. Writing for the season began in August 2022, though production timelines have shifted due to industry-wide delays.

The creative team has indicated that Stranger Things season 5 will aim to deliver a high-stakes narrative with emotional depth, maintaining the tone that has defined the series since its debut in 2016. Viewers can expect a return to the show's central themes of friendship, mystery, and supernatural conflict, set against the backdrop of 1980s-inspired storytelling.

Additionally, the Duffers have mentioned that the pacing of the upcoming season will be faster compared to Season 4, which featured several extended episodes. This suggests that the episode lengths might not necessarily match or exceed those seen in the previous season, lending further weight to Ross Duffer’s recent clarification.

Fans continue to wait for official updates

 

 

 

 

 

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Even though Ross Duffer has said the leaked episode runtimes aren’t real, people are still excited for what’s to come. Everyone is waiting for more updates—like the official release date, a trailer, or any new details about the final season. As Netflix and the creators work on wrapping up the series, fans will likely keep guessing and sharing their own theories online.

For now, Duffer’s comment is a good reminder to take online rumors with a grain of salt. Unless something is confirmed by the team or Netflix, details like episode lengths are just guesses.

With Stranger Things season 5 on the way, things are still under the wraps. Plot points and how the episodes are put together are being kept secret—just like they’ve done in the past to keep the mystery alive.