Stranger Things has a new best episode according to IMDb – thanks to this season 5 banger

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Stranger Things has a new best episode according to IMDb – thanks to this season 5 banger News By Bradley Russell published 28 November 2025

What sorcery is this?

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Stranger Things season 5 has reached new heights, at least according to the audiences voting over at IMDb.

Spoilers for the Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1 ending follow.

As of writing, 13,000 users have passed their judgment on the new batch of four Stranger Things episodes, with Volume 1 finale 'Sorcerer' topping the list at a 9.8 rating. That bests the fourth season's 'Massacre at Hawkins Lab' and 'Dear Billy'.

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In 'Sorcerer', Vecna reveals his plans to reshape the world – using the children as "perfect vessels." He even goads Noah Schnapp's Will Byers for breaking so easily (as shown back in the first season). In a sudden twist, Will reveals his own powers and destroys the Demogorgons terrorizing his friends.

"If anyone [was] going to be the key to ending Vecna, it needed to be Will," co-creator Matt Duffer told Netflix's Tudum in a post-mortem of the shocking cliffhanger.

"One of the earliest ideas in [Season 5] is, 'What if Will were able to harness this connection and use it against our villains?'" fellow co-creator (and brother) Ross Duffer explained. Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin on the Netflix series, adds that the Will reveal "changes the game" for Volume 2 and beyond.

Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 hits Netflix on Christmas Day, with the bumper-sized finale releasing on the streamer and in selected cinemas on New Year's Eve.

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For more on that, check out our Stranger Things season 5 release schedule. Then discover the TV settings the co-creators are asking you to tweak before settling in to watch new Stranger Things episodes.

CATEGORIES Netflix Streaming Services Bradley RussellSocial Links Navigation

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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