Creators of Stranger Things tease ending of show during Jimmy Fallon and it might surprise you

Fans of Stranger Things are on the edges of their seats as they await the next instalment of the series' fifth and final season, which is set to drop on Christmas Day.

With just a week to go until the release of Stranger Things 5 volume two, the show's creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, have dropped a massive clue and potential spoiler for the finale.

Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the typically tight-lipped brothers discussed fan theories and even dropped a teaser for the three episodes dropping on December 25.

The last ever Stranger Things episode will be released less than a week later, with the finale becoming available on Netflix on New Year's Eve, December 31.

But if viewers can't wait to find out what happens to the Hawkins gang and the nebulous 'Upside Down', they can try decoding the Duffer brothers' major spoiler on Jimmy Kimmel - where they used Funko Pops to spell out how the series will end.

Kimmel grabbed a doll of Barb, who died in the first season, and attempted to involve her in the action, but the creators make the pointed move of placing her on the floor - indicating that she is still dead and not making a comeback.

"What is Barb doing here?", they asked, while pointedly moving the show's other characters around Kimmel's desk.

Some were placed at the front of the desk, others further back. But Eleven was placed into a glass of water, while villain Vecna was stacked on top of Will and Henry.

In what looked like bad news for character Steve Harrington, his doll was placed teetering on the edge of the desk, with the creators slowly pushing him closer and closer, until he fell off entirely.

These cryptic clues left fans perplexed, with many taking to Reddit to share their best theories as to what the Duffer brothers meant by their Funko Pop placements.

why did they keep messing with steve until he fell off the edge duffers when i catch you pic.twitter.com/qaSlSzSs8V

— eleanor ♡ (@nightphanges) December 18, 2025

One asked: "People are going to be focusing on Steve but guys look at where Nancy is. Why is she separated from the teens + kids and is with the Vecna's mind crew?? She’s the only one in a different group than where we left off in ep 4."

But many focused on what happened to Steve, with plenty already mourning him after seeing what the Duffers did to his doll. "That's a joke right? no way Steve's dying," one fan pleaded.

But while his actor Joe Keery has refused to spill the beans, he appears to be pleased by how the show ends for him.

He told ExtraTV: "I was very happy, though, with the way it wrapped up for me. Fans would absolutely like it."

A less pessimistic fan argued that the Duffer brothers were just having their fun with the audience ahead of the finale.

"They're such trolls with Steve," they pointed out. "I think he'll have a near death experience but ultimately survive. Oh Steve the people's prince everyone wants you to live!"