Stranger Things fans in tears after cast release statements as final season wraps

The stars of Stranger Things have paid tribute to their time on the show as shooting wrapped on its final season last week.

It's been more than two years since our last Stranger Things fix when season four landed on Netflix in May 2022, so of course fans are ecstatic that the fifth season is on the horizon.

While a release date has yet to be confirmed, the final season is set to drop sometime in 2025.

And with the fourth season of Stranger Things being the second-most-streamed Netflix show of all time, to say its season five finale is highly anticipated would be an understatement.

The Duffer Brothers hit follows a group of young friends who unravel a series of supernatural mysteries in 1980s Indiana.

It's been responsible for launching the careers of the likes of Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink and Noah Schnapp.

With most of the main cast just teens when they were cast in TV show, they've grown up on set and in the public eye.

Here's what some of the cast has said about season five wrapping up...

Millie Bobby Brown

Brown was just 12 years old when she was cast as Eleven - and her life has dramatically changed in the eight years since.

The actor has been shot to dizzying heights of fame, starred in her own chart-topping Netflix action drama and met, dated and tied the knot with husband Jake Bongiovi.

Reflecting back on growing up on the set of Stranger Things, Brown posted a collection of photos of her younger self, plus a video of her emotionally addressing her co-stars on set.

Brown simply captioned the post: "With love, el."

Sadie Sink

American actor Sink has also grown up on set, playing Max Mayfield from the age of just 14 years old.

Sharing a collection of sweet photos on Instagram, she wrote: "This show, character, and every person involved made me who I am.

"It gave me the most amazing childhood. It brought me to my best friends. Saying goodbye is so painful, but I leave with memories and love to last a lifetime. "I’m eternally grateful."

Finn Wolfhard

Canadian actor Wolfhard was just 13 years old when he was cast as Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things.

The now 22-year-old shared a trio of adorable pictures of him and his castmates, writing: "We just wrapped Stranger Things Season 5. I’m still in shock.

"We shot it for a year and I’ll miss all of my friends and our characters terribly.

"When I think of the show, I picture this first photo. A bunch of goofy young people making something they think is cool but really have no clue what’s to come. I feel like we’re still those people and I’m lucky to still stand beside them today. I hope you’ll love this season as much as I do..."

Noah Schnapp

Will Byers actor Schnapp also paid tribute to his cast mates, with a lengthy Instagram post.

He shared his 10 favorite moments and reflected on the important lessons each of his co-stars had taught him.

Addressing how the show changed his life, Byers - who was cast in the show aged 11- wrote: "Growing up I always felt like an outcast, unsure of where I fit in. "Navigating life in the spotlight while carrying this feeling, through every awkward phase and embarrassing moment exposed for the world to see, has definitely been an unusual experience.

"But I’ve been honored to share it with my incredible co-stars, who understand it in a way that no one else can."

He added: “Stranger Things was more than a job; it was a lifelong dream. A dream made reality thanks to the Duffers.

"Thank you for taking a chance on me when I was just a 10 year old kid and entrusting me with something so important to you both. Together, this cast + crew has built something so very special, and I couldn’t be any more excited for the world to see the final chapter.

"Stranger Things is a never ending story for me - it’s in my heart forever."