Stranger Things is headed toward its fifth and final season, closing a major chapter in the story. Across every delivery, the cast’s salaries have been climbing, driven by the popularity of the show and the growing footprint of its stars. For the upcoming finale, the actors are set to see another round of significant pay raises, with details about the potential earnings now circulating.
Reports from Puck have indicated that talks are underway between Netflix and the Stranger Things ensemble to renegotiate contracts for the concluding season. Netflix reportedly uses a tiered approach in negotiations, grouping performers into four distinct levels based on their roles and seniority.
At the very top, the core lineup includes Winona Ryder and David Harbour, who are projected to receive around 9.5 million dollars for the entire season. In the next tier, a group of younger leads—Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Finn Wolfhard, and Sadie Sink—could jointly secure approximately 7 million dollars. A third tier would see Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, Maya Hawke, and Charlie Heaton earning close to 6 million dollars. The remaining cast members would fall into the fourth tier, with figures not publicly disclosed.
Millie Bobby Brown and the unique contract arrangement
Millie Bobby Brown maintains a distinctive deal with Netflix due to her involvement in multiple projects, including the Enola Holmes film series. This arrangement differentiates her compensation from that of the broader cast, allowing for separate financial terms that reflect her broader output and star power.
While the season five salaries are already substantial, history shows that high pay on network television can reach extraordinary levels. A well-known comparison is The Big Bang Theory, where the main cast earned about 900,000 dollars per episode in the final season, culminating in around 21.6 million dollars for season 12 when totals were tallied.
A central focus of season five is the character Vecna and the ambition for a powerful finale. As teased by Jamie Campbell Bower, Vecna makes a return with a relentless drive to settle old scores. The actor suggested that the villain is not merely haunted by past mistakes but is rebuilding and seeking retribution, much like a classic slasher figure who leverages a fearsome comeback to leave a lasting impression. The tension points to a climactic confrontation that could redefine the fates of the heroes.
The dynamic between this antagonist and Eleven remains pivotal. Rumors of a more intimate rivalry suggest Vecna may seek to disrupt Eleven’s world by drawing a line between them, potentially pushing Eleven toward a different path. The narrative implication is clear: revenge is not just about harm but about reshaping relationships and destinies, adding emotional weight to the impending finale.