The nearly three-and-a-half-year wait is finally almost over. The last time fans of the hit series Stranger Things saw a new episode was on July 1, 2022, but the fifth and final season is less than one month away. While speculation about how the highly anticipated Season 5 would play out has ramped up as more details, teasers and trailers have been released, the anticipation hit a peak on Wednesday, Oct. 30. Netflix unveiled the full Stranger Things Season 5 trailer, and it’s fair to say that fan speculation has run rampant.
Although the theories have included virtually every main character in some capacity, the trailer and its (perfect) song selection quickly sparked concern about the fate of a Stranger Things fan favorite.
Official ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Trailer Sparks Theories About Steve’s Fate
The whole core cast, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, David Harbour, Natalia Dyer, Winona Ryder and Charlie Heaton, is set to return for Season 5. However, it’s the character whose personal transformation from Season 1 to Season 5 has made him a fan favorite that many believe might not make it out alive.
Keery’s character, Steve Harrington, has evaded death a shocking number of times over the four seasons, and while the trailer appears to show his close buddy Dustin (played by Matarazzo) in trouble, fans began piecing together their theories. There were even some citing the use of Queen’s “Who Wants to Live Forever” in the Season 5 trailer to point it back to Steve’s ability to narrowly escape death many times.
For good measure, if things do play out in a fashion where Dustin needs to be saved, it’s hard to argue that Steve stepping in to save him wouldn’t be a fitting end for the character. This is exactly how some fans believe the final season of Stranger Things will pan out, and they began to highlight specific moments from the trailer, including screenshots pulled from the first-look.
this just confirmed for me that steve the hair is definitely dying sacrificing himself because he’s the only character that is “expendable” regarding the fact he’s not coupled with anyone and he’s a fan favorite that is set up for a big ending in a big finale 😭 #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/LdCwyuSDnk
— 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐝’𝐬 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 (@ssagittariusaes) October 30, 2025
Deram a entender que o Steve morre nessa temporada #StrangerThings5 pic.twitter.com/PJO0E4GWvS
— Cinemagic (@squadcinemagic) October 30, 2025
L man they killed steveee😖 #streangrthings5 #steveharrington #Netflix pic.twitter.com/MOxjpQt3bG
— thelitclip (@thelitclip_fam) October 30, 2025
Other fans of the hit series laid out their own predictions for how Steve’s story will come to a close, and there were more than a few good ones.
“Steve’s death in Stranger Things 5 will be a heroic ending for the character,” wrote one fan. “He will die while getting mauled by a demogorgon.. protecting Dustin and Nancy, while under attack from the creatures of the upside down.”
“Would love to see Steve survive, but I also accept that death in defense of the kids is the conclusion that best fits what is truly one of the finest character arcs Netflix has ever produced. His personal journey from s1 to s5 was a treat to watch and a highlight of the show,” added another.
“Placing bets on Steve dying in this final season of Stranger Things and Nancy’s final words to him being ‘you’re an idiot Steve Harrington,'” one fan predicted.
Former ‘Stranger Things’ Cast Member Previously Said ‘Someone Important’ Dies in Season 5
While there have been plenty of comments from the cast and creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, about how emotional Season 5 of Stranger Things will be, an old comment from an early season cast member also resurfaced.
Back in 2023, Grace Van Dien, who played cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham in Season 4, reportedly said “someone important” would die in the fifth season, as The Hollywood Handle highlighted.
Grace Van Dien states that “someone important” will die in ‘STRANGER THINGS’ Season 5.
(Via: @SThingsSpoilers) pic.twitter.com/JTN8F8N22W
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) May 11, 2023
Although this could point to any member of the core Stranger Things cast, it would be a stunning turn of events if a character from the initial core (Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas or Dustin) didn’t make it out of Season 5 alive.
Stranger Things officially makes its return to Netflix for the final season on Nov. 26, with the first four episodes available to stream. The next three episodes are scheduled for Dec. 25, with the finale on Dec. 31. In addition to streaming on Netflix, the eighth and final episode will also be shown in select theaters.
Related: ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Cost More to Make Than Beloved ‘Avengers’ Movie, per Report
