So far, Netflix hasn’t confirmed this staggered release. More clarity may come on 31 May, when Netflix’s annual Tudum event goes live. The streaming giant is expected to reveal updates on several big titles, including Emily in Paris, Squid Game Season 3, and possibly the official timeline for Stranger Things Season 5.
Here’s what we do know: filming wrapped up in December 2024, and the new season will have eight episodes set in the autumn of 1987, about six months after Season 4. Netflix has already released the episode titles, which include The Crawl, The Turnbow Trap, Escape from Camazotz, and The Rightside Up, all titles that hint at returning themes from earlier seasons.
Stranger Things season 4 poster Wikipedia
The core cast will be back for one last mission in Hawkins, including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, and Gaten Matarazzo. Veteran actress Linda Hamilton is also joining the final chapter, although her role remains under wraps.
Behind the scenes, the mood has been emotional. At the final table read, several cast members reportedly broke down in tears. David Harbour (Hopper) described it as “waves of people crying,” while Millie Bobby Brown shared a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on her journey from child actor to global star.
Once Season 5 wraps, the Stranger Things universe won’t close entirely. An animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is in the works. Details are scarce, but it promises to explore new corners of the show’s world, whether or not the original cast returns.
For now, fans will have to hold tight as Netflix prepares to bring one of its biggest shows to a dramatic, and possibly drawn-out, conclusion.
Industry buzz grows as Deepika walks away from SpiritGetty Images
According to several industry reports, disagreements began when Deepika reportedly requested fixed work hours for an 8-hour workday with approximately 6 hours spent filming. She also wanted a share in the film’s profits, in addition to her fee. Further, there were claims that she was unwilling to deliver her lines in Telugu, which became a sticking point in a multilingual project.
While none of these details have been officially confirmed by Deepika or Vanga, sources close to the film suggest that the director was not on board with the terms and decided to part ways. The production team is now said to be on the lookout for a new lead actress.
Earlier, Deepika had already stepped back from the film due to her pregnancy. The film’s shooting schedule, initially set for late 2024, had to be adjusted. When the filmmaker returned with a revised timeline, she was reportedly back on board. But the situation appears to have shifted again.
This development has sparked chatter on social media, with fans and insiders weighing in. Some question whether the actress was ever keen on doing the film, while others point out that Vanga’s films haven’t offered substantial roles for women. The debate has only intensified in the absence of any official statement from either party.
Deepika Padukone’s Spirit exit fuels debate on demands and director controlGetty Images
Meanwhile, Spirit remains a highly anticipated release, with plans for a global rollout in multiple languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Korean. The film is still in its early stages, and casting updates are expected soon.
For now, what could’ve been a major collaboration has ended before it began, not with a bang, but with a breakdown in expectations.
Charli XCX attends the 2025 Kering Women In Motion Awards and Cannes Film Festival Presidential Dinner at the Cannes Film FestivalGetty Images
Released in mid-2024, Brat catapulted Charli into mainstream stardom. From viral TikTok trends to sold-out arena shows, the album became a cultural mood board. That neon green cover wasn’t just aesthetic; it became a statement, one even Kamala Harris welcomed when Charli jokingly dubbed the U.S. presidential candidate “brat-coded.”
The album didn’t just resonate with fans. It grabbed three Grammy wins, including Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package. But despite the acclaim, Charli admits she never expected to be on the Grammys’ radar. “Last year, I didn’t think I’d even be in the conversation,” she said.
Charli XCX at the Magnum Crack Into Pleasure party Getty Images
Her older track Party 4 U is also getting a second life, blowing up years after its quiet 2020 release. “It reminds me of lockdown, recording vocals alone, stuck inside. It was a strange, lonely time,” she reflected.
Now, while fans anticipate new music, Charli’s exploring other creative lanes too. She’s stepping into acting, with several films lined up, including an A24 project she helped create, The Moment.
Charli xcx attends the 2025 Met Gala Getty Images
Whether the next album flops or flies, Charli isn’t chasing legacy. She’s just showing up, creating from instinct, and letting go of the scoreboard. That’s what makes her cool and maybe even braver than ever.
Aishwarya greets fans and photographers and pose for photographs at Cannes 2025Getty Images
Her look felt like a quiet celebration of Indian craftsmanship, but it was also personal. She greeted the cameras with a folded namaste, waved to fans, and blew kisses, making her presence feel like a moment of stillness amid all the flash. As a long time ambassador for L'Oréal Paris, she attended the premiere of The History of Sound, holding her own among the global fashion elite.
With sindoor and a smile Aishwarya brings Indian elegance to the global red carpetGetty Images
But this year, Cannes wasn’t just about Aishwarya. India showed up strong. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound received a standing ovation after its premiere in the Un Certain Regard section, with stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa walking the red carpet alongside him. Satyajit Ray’s restored classic Aranyer Din Ratri was screened in Cannes Classics, introduced by Wes Anderson. Veterans Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal were present, marking a moment of reverence and recognition for Indian cinema’s legacy.
Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who made history last year, returned as a member of the main competition jury, a proud moment in itself.
And yet, despite all the big names and powerful moments, when Aishwarya stepped onto the red carpet in that saree, everything paused. For many fans, Cannes truly begins when she arrives. As one put it simply online: “Queen is always a queen.”
Hrithik Roshan gets candid about the scale and challenge of making War 2Getty Images 
Hrithik Roshan reflects on the scale of the film and why returning as Kabir Dhaliwal felt rewardingGetty Images