Netflix may have said goodbye to Stranger Things, but the fandom is far from done. From potential spin-offs to reunion projects still swirling in the rumor mill, the Duffer Brothers might also be interested in leveraging the momentum. Whether it is a stage production or new stories set in the same eerie world, a lot appears to be happening behind the scenes.

However, alongside the massive fandom, there is also much wishful thinking, rumors, and true potential. While it can be hard to tell the rumors apart, Matt and Ross Duffer’s latest interview offers some clarity on what fans should keep on their radar.

After the end of Stranger Things Season 5, several rumors have emerged about how the universe could expand, with the Duffer Brothers commenting on a few of them. One of the most talked-about is Stranger Things: Tales from '85, which is an animated project. The Duffer Brothers have expressed a desire to pay homage to ’80s cartoons through this project.

The animated version will focus on the same characters as they face new monsters and paranormal mysteries. Netflix has already announced that the series could be released in 2026. Although there are already rumors of a Season 2, nothing has been officially confirmed.

There is also speculation about a 10th-anniversary sequel series, but the Duffer Brothers have not approved it and even suggested that it might not be particularly interesting. On the other hand, the creators appear interested in a live-action Stranger Things spin-off, which would be separate from the animated series. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed that this project is in development, and it will focus on entirely new characters, settings, and stories, with only a few connections to the main universe.

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As for the original story, it is clearly over, as the Duffer Brothers have hinted. Nonetheless, fans continue to speculate about alternative endings or secret episodes that could change the series’ ending. So, what do the creators have to say about this?

There has been a long-running fan debate about Stranger Things, which is the Conformity Gate theory. Certain visual inconsistencies, such as a wrong reference of Melvald’s milkshakes and more, hinted at the Conformity theory, which meant that Vecna had won and had trapped everyone in a fabricated reality. However, the new documentary, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, and the Duffer Brothers put the debate to rest when they shared that the production began before the script was completed. 

So, it is unlikely for the show to have any secret messages. There were also rumors of Stranger Things having another secret episode that could show a different ending. However, in an interview with Screent Rant, the Duffer brothers confirmed that season 5 is indeed the end of Stranger Things since they had always planned it to be a coming-of-age story. 

"I mean, Mike’s closing the basement door. We’re closing the door on the story," Matt Duffer said.

It is quite clear that there will not be any series or movies expanding the story of Eleven or Hawkins of Stranger Things. However, there will be new characters, a different world, and stories with new challenges. So, while fans wait for the new series, rewatching Stranger Things without speculating too much might be the perfect way to enjoy the original magic all over again. 

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Which Stranger Things project are you excited for? Let us know in the comments section below.