'Stranger Things' cast says emotional goodbye after 10‑year journey

The first season of the fan favourite show aired in July, 2016

After nearly a decade on the small screen, the cast and creators of Netflix’s Stranger Things gathered for a heartfelt farewell as the hit sci‑fi series concluded with its final episode. The show’s legacy, which began in 2016 and turned young actors into global stars, was celebrated by many of its key players at a special screening event in New York City, where emotions ran high.

On December 19, 2025, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer reunited with core cast members, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp, at Netflix’s Paris Theatre to watch the finale, titled The Rightside Up, for the first time together.

For many of the actors, saying goodbye was bittersweet. Brown, now 21, reflected on growing up as Eleven, a character that launched her to international fame. “I started this show when I was just 12. It’s hard to imagine my life without these people,” she said. “They’ve been my family for ten years, and this goodbye is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.” She added with a smile, “Noah is still the godfather of my child, so I guess some parts of this family stay forever.”

Finn Wolfhard, who grew up as Mike Wheeler on the show, echoed similar sentiments. “It’s strange to close this chapter. Mike, Eleven, the Upside Down, they’ve been part of my life for so long,” he said. “I’m proud of what we created, but I won’t lie, it’s emotional walking away from this world and these people who’ve become like my siblings.”

Sadie Sink, who played the fierce and complex Max Mayfield, shared: “I learned so much from everyone here, from Millie and Finn to Gaten and Caleb. We laughed, cried, and fought through the most intense scenes together. I can’t imagine doing this without them.”

Gaten Matarazzo, beloved as Dustin Henderson, added with his signature humor, “I guess it’s official, no more being the weird kid who eats chocolate every episode. I’ll miss these guys terribly, but I’m excited to see where life takes all of us next.”

Caleb McLaughlin, who portrayed Lucas Sinclair, gave an emotional farewell: “Being part of this show has been everything. We grew up in front of the world together. Saying goodbye is hard, but I know these friendships will last a lifetime.”

Noah Schnapp, who played Will Byers, nodded to the ensemble’s unique bond: “We started as strangers, and now we’re family. Saying goodbye to Hawkins, to the Upside Down, to these characters, it’s a lot. But I feel grateful beyond words for this journey.”

The Duffer brothers also expressed their pride and gratitude for the cast. “We couldn’t have imagined anyone else telling this story,” Matt Duffer said. Ross added, “Seeing these kids, now grown, embody their characters so fully over ten years has been the greatest experience of our careers.”

Despite the emotional farewells, the cast emphasized that their bonds remain unbreakable. They described their time together as more than just work, it was a family-like experience that will endure long after the cameras stop rolling.

The final episode premiered on New Year’s Eve 2025, bringing closure to the Hawkins gang’s supernatural adventures. As the series concludes, it leaves behind a cultural legacy that influenced television storytelling, nostalgia-driven sci-fi, and the careers of its cast long after audiences first met the kids of Hawkins, Indiana.

Fans and critics alike have praised the finale, noting that while the show is ending, the relationships and memories formed on set will continue to resonate with viewers and cast members alike. In the words of Millie Bobby Brown, “This isn’t really goodbye, it’s just ‘see you later.’ Hawkins will always be a part of us.”