Season 5 is going to be the last season of Stranger Things. While the writers have confirmed that there isn’t going to be another season, there are always rumors floating – about a prequel series being in the cards for Stranger Things. A Stranger Things prequel could dive into all the juicy gaps the main series only teased and tested.
Is there a prequel for Stranger Things?
Before we explore this, let’s see the current possible options for Stranger Things prequel series and stories.
Has Netflix confirmed a Stranger Things prequel?
Netflix hasn’t greenlit a Stranger Things TV prequel series, but there is an official prequel stage play called Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Written by Kate Trefry and produced by the Duffer Brothers, it’s set in Hawkins in 1959 and explores young versions of Hopper, Joyce, and the origins of Henry Creel (Vecna). This play is considered canon and is directly connected to Season 5. A behind-the-scenes documentary about the play, Behind the Curtain, also premiered on Netflix in April.
The first shadow can be considered as an unofficial prequel to Stranger Things as it deals with the story that happened 24 years ago, rather than the actual show’s timeline.
After watching the trailer, I could see how they have brought in the ‘humanizing the villain’ aspect into the prequel – showing the broken, vulnerable, and even softer side that aches for love, acceptance, and normalcy.
What did audiences say about this Stranger Things prequel – broadway version?
- “You don’t need to be a fan to enjoy it—though fans get the extra layer of Easter eggs; newcomers can still follow it.”
- “The play recontextualized Henry Creel’s arc—he genuinely feels like the Mind Flayer’s general making terrifying sense.”
- “The special effects—and set design—were some of the best I’ve seen in live theater. I was startled, scared, and even teary—multiple times.”
You can watch the trailer here.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 – a Netflix Animation series
Meanwhile, Netflix is developing an animated spin-off titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, set in between Seasons 2 and 3 and featuring the original gang in new adventures. The animated Stranger Things spinoff Tales From ’85 is officially set to premiere on Netflix in 2026.
Stranger Things prequel fan theories
Here are some Stranger Things prequel fan theories based purely on what fans want to see, not what Netflix has confirmed. We dug a little deeper into Reddit and other places and found a goldmine of stories—possible scripts Netflix can take notes from.
1. Hopper’s Past in New York
A lot of fans are obsessed with the idea of a gritty cop drama–meets–Stranger Things vibe. They want to see Hopper’s time as an NYPD detective, dealing with shady cases, corruption, and possibly his first brush with something supernatural before Hawkins even came into the picture. Bonus points if we get the tragic story of Sara (his daughter) and how it shaped the man we meet in Season 1.
2. The Origin of the Hawkins Lab Experiments
It’s always unexplored. We know the government is behind the experiments. But why is it actually against people from the same country? Is it the states vs. the USSR? Is it just telekinesis research? Are they aware of the danger behind the gate? Fans want Brenner’s backstory — how he got involved in MKUltra-inspired experiments, who funded him, and whether the first test subjects before Eleven were already connected to the Upside Down.
Popular Stranger Things theory: Number One wasn’t the first ever — just the first survivor.
3. The Rise of Victor Creel
Before The First Shadow play revealed parts of his past, fans theorized that Victor Creel’s family tragedy was the first known gateway to the Upside Down — and that he may have been the government’s original “test case” for understanding psychic trauma and paranormal events.
4. The Birth of the Mind Flayer
Some want a true origin story of the Shadow Monster/Mind Flayer — maybe even in a cosmic, “how the Upside Down began” style. A few wild theories suggest it was created accidentally by humans dabbling in interdimensional tech before the events of the show, possibly during Cold War experiments.
5. Younger Joyce and Hopper in Hawkins
Many fans love the idea of a slice-of-life drama set in Hawkins in the ’70s or early ’80s — showing Joyce, Hopper, Lonnie, and other familiar faces before tragedy and monsters. Think: teen Joyce as a sarcastic, quick-witted girl, Hopper as the star athlete, and maybe even young Murray popping up as a conspiracy-obsessed radio host.
6. Number Eight’s Lost Years
Kali (Eight) was introduced in Season 2 and then vanished from the main plot. Fans want a prequel about her escape from the lab, her life on the run, and her powers developing outside Brenner’s control. This could also fill in how many other “numbers” survived.
First of all – would a prequel series work?
- Rich unexplored history – The Hawkins Lab, MKUltra-style experiments, the early gateways to the Upside Down — all of these have untold stories that fans are hungry for.
- Well-loved characters with missing years – Hopper, Joyce, Brenner, Victor Creel, and even Dr. Owens has backstories we’ve only glimpsed in fragments.
- Retro setting potential – Stranger Things already thrives on nostalgia. Moving to the ’70s or early ’80s could give a fresh but familiar visual style and soundtrack.
- Expanding the mythology – A prequel could dig into the “rules” of the Upside Down and the origins of its creatures, which could make Season 5’s ending feel more complete.
The prequel idea could also fail… if
- No real stakes – We already know who survives. If the story feels like a “foregone conclusion,” it might lack tension.
- Overexplaining the mystery – Stranger Things works partly because of the unknown. If the prequel explains everything, it risks losing that eerie ambiguity.
- Character dilution – Recasting younger versions of beloved characters can be hit or miss — if the chemistry isn’t there, it could feel like a knock-off.
- Fan fatigue – After Season 5, some fans may feel “full” on Hawkins stories unless the prequel feels genuinely new.
Series, similar to Stranger Things, that explored prequel concept
| Example | Franchise | Why It Succeeded / Failed | Lesson for a Stranger Things Prequel |
| Bates Motel | Psycho | Explored Norman Bates’ youth with deep character drama; modernized tone | Focus on rich character arcs, not just monster origins |
| Better Call Saul | Breaking Bad | ✅Developed its own identity; slow, clever connections to main series | Give the prequel a distinct tone while tying in gradually |
| Rogue One | Star Wars | ✅Known outcome but high stakes, new characters, gritty feel | Even if fans know fates, make the journey intense and fresh |
| The First Purge | The Purge | ✅Expanded lore without emotional stakes; flat characters | Avoid pure exposition — connect to relatable, human stories |
| Prometheus | Alien | ❌Added mythology but confused with vague answers | Keep Upside Down mythology clear and purposeful |
| Rings | The Ring | ❌Felt repetitive; no fresh scares or ideas | Don’t just recycle “kids vs spooky” without a new twist |
Based on everything discussed, the safe plots for Stranger Things prequel series?
Not one, but 5 basic principles based on which a winning prequel story for Stranger Things series can emerge…
| Built strong on emotions | Focus on deep character arcs (friendships, rivalries, sacrifices) over just dumping Upside Down backstory. |
| Familiar faces, but in new light | Include younger versions of existing characters (Hopper, Joyce, Dr. Brenner) — but show them in situations that reframe how we see them later. |
| Layered mystery reveal | Give partial answers to the Upside Down origins, not the full picture — keep fans guessing for the main show’s finale. |
| Period charm done right | Capture the late ’70s or early ’80s cultural mood — music, fashion, Cold War paranoia, analog tech — without making it a parody. |
| Self-contained story arc | Plan it as one strong season that can expand if it’s a hit, but works even if it stops. |
| Fan service, but everything in moderation | Include Easter eggs for hardcore fans (young Owens, early Hellfire Club hints) but make sure the plot works for new viewers too. |
Final thoughts
If they follow the above framework, Stranger Things could avoid the Prometheus problem (overcomplicated lore) and the Rings trap (rehash with no soul) while leaning toward the Better Call Saul model — character-first with smart world-building.