Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
The Boys
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5, episode 3 recap: Easter eggs, cameos, and deaths
Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Movies I hate this Marvel theory about Doctor Doom in Avengers: Endgame's re-release – because I think it will happen
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
Homelander (Anthony Starr) saluting
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 calendar theory may have spoiled when the show's biggest deaths will take place
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 cast
Netflix Stranger Things: Tales from '85 release schedule – what time is the Stranger Things spin-off on Netflix?
Nikki Baxter in Stranger Things Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 showrunner teases Will's relationship with Hawkins' punky new kid Nikki
Homelander smiling smugly in the Oval Office of the White House
Superhero Shows The Boys' final season is done as creator Eric Kripke says farewell to the r-rated superhero show
Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) using his tendril powers.
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 episode 1 recap: Easter eggs, cameos and big deaths
The Witcher season 4 ending
Fantasy Shows The Witcher season 5 release date speculation, story, and everything we know about the final season so far
The Deep, Homelander, and Black Noir in The Boys season 5
Superhero Shows The Boys creator Eric Kripke responds to fan fears over a lackluster finale
Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Anime Shows Cyberpunk: Edgerunners season 2: Everything we know about CD Projekt Red's anime
Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows The original actors' ages aren't the only reason Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is animated, says showrunner
A character line-up of the heroes of Stranger Things: Tales From '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 boss explains why he's not keen on fans describing it as a Saturday morning cartoon
Steve and Dustin in Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Animated Shows Stranger Things spin-off once featured more Hawkins adults, but scenes were cut to bring back its "youthful innocence"
Fallout season 2
Sci-Fi Shows Fallout season 3 release date speculation, cast, news, and everything else we know
  1. Entertainment
  2. TV
  3. Sci-Fi Shows
  4. Stranger Things

Stranger Things fans crash Netflix waiting for non-existent secret final episode, as Conformity Gate finally comes to an end

News
By Molly Edwards published 8 January 2026

Stranger Things conspiracy theory Conformity Gate is no more

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler in the Stranger Things season 5 finale
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
3
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

After a full week of speculation and frenzied theorizing, Stranger Things season 5 conspiracy Conformity Gate seems to finally be over.

The theory, spread on social media, suggested a secret, ninth episode of the final season would be dropping on Jan 7. The conspiracy gained momentum partly because many fans were disappointed with the finale, and partly because a number of "clues" in the final season seemed to point towards Vecna crafting an illusion for the main gang in episode 8 – such as the dial in the WSQK radio tower changing color, or the graduating students wearing orange in the finale rather than the school's more regular green. Even Vecna star Jamie Campbell Bower's recent appearance on The Tonight Show fanned the flames.

Conformity Gate took its first blow when Netflix's teased January 7 announcement turned out to be a trailer advertising its 2026 releases. Still, that didn't stop Stranger Things fans from heading to Netflix at 8pm ET/5pm PT, the time previous episodes released, to check for the "real" finale. The influx of hopeful fans crashed the streamer, but everyone must've left disappointed, because no secret episode ever appeared.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Sadie Sink as Max, Noah Schnapp as Will, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin in Stranger Things season 5 Stranger Things season 5 Netflix views are behind season 4, with no real chance of overtaking
  • Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things 4 Stranger Things' Papa star Matthew Modine didn't enjoy the finale, and hopes Confrmity Gate is real "for the fans"
  • Jamie Campbell Bower in Stranger Things Stranger Things play The First Shadow could be heading to Netflix, with filming reportedly taking place this week

The writing was on the wall with Conformity Gate from the start, though. The Stranger Things season 5 finale played in theaters – earning over $25 million – and the show's official Twitter account bio reads "all episodes of Stranger Things are now playing."

While fans might have worked themselves into a fever pitch, the finale was actually pretty definitive. Eleven's fate is left ambiguous after she seemingly sacrifices herself in the Upside Down, but, as revealed in that poignant final scene, which mirrors the show's very first scene, the rest of the party go on to start happy, successful adult lives (you can read about everything that happened in our Stranger Things season 5 finale ending explained). A spin-off is in the works, but it won't feature the characters we know and love from Hawkins – though, we will see them again in animated show Stranger Things: Tales from '85.

All episodes of Stranger Things season 5 are streaming now. For more, check out our Stranger Things season 5 finale review, or fill out your watchlist with our guide to the best Netflix shows.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Netflix Streaming Services
Molly Edwards
Molly Edwards
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film section. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas, Sadie Sink as Max, Noah Schnapp as Will, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin in Stranger Things season 5
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things season 5 Netflix views are behind season 4, with no real chance of overtaking
 
 
Matthew Modine as Dr. Martin Brenner in Stranger Things 4
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things' Papa star Matthew Modine didn't enjoy the finale, and hopes Confrmity Gate is real "for the fans"
 
 
Jamie Campbell Bower in Stranger Things
Sci-Fi Movies Stranger Things play The First Shadow could be heading to Netflix, with filming reportedly taking place this week
 
 
Eleven drawn in bright neon colors
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is following the mothership series and heading to theaters
 
 
Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Sci-Fi Shows First trailer for Stranger Things spin-off Tales from '85 is here to fill the Upside Down-shaped hole in our hearts
 
 
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 cast
Netflix Stranger Things: Tales from '85 release schedule – what time is the Stranger Things spin-off on Netflix?
 
 
Latest in Sci Fi Shows
The Great Khans in Fallout season 2
Sci-Fi Shows Fallout 2 and New Vegas designer still hates the series' Amazon TV show
 
 
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 cast
Netflix Stranger Things: Tales from '85 release schedule – what time is the Stranger Things spin-off on Netflix?
 
 
Darth Nihilus and a red lightsaber against a dark background
Toys & Collectibles These Star Wars action figures are causing a stir, and they're up for pre-order now
 
 
Ahsoka
Star Wars TV Shows Ahsoka season 2 is dealing with a "higher level" of Star Wars than The Mandalorian and Grogu
 
 
Maul and Inquisitor Marrok fighting in Maul – Shadow Lord
Star Wars TV Shows Who is Inquisitor Marrok calling in Maul – Shadow Lord episode 6? All the Star Wars characters he could be contacting
 
 
A green Spirit Jersey reading "Star Wars" with a forest design
Toys & Collectibles Sorry Star Wars fans, this new Endor merch needs to be in your collection
 
 
Latest in News
Shuhei Yoshida
Games PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida says he was "fired" for not listening to ex-Sony boss Jim Ryan
 
 
Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones
DC Movies The actor behind one of Game of Thrones' most legendary characters is in talks to join the cast of The Batman 2
 
 
Bloodborne
Animated Movies Bloodborne producer says he's feeling "all the pressure in the world" to get the movie adaptation right
 
 
Steam Machine next to fish bowl.
Hardware New rumors suggest PS6 will massively out-perform the Steam Machine, but I'm not sure that's what we need right now
 
 
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games taken from the official Hunger Games Twitter page
Sci-Fi Movies Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson addresses Peeta's "silly" rock camouflage scene: "Why didn't someone stop it?"
 
 
Chris Hemsworth as Thor in the Avengers: Doomsday trailer
Marvel Movies Marvel fans think the Avengers: Doomsday trailer will be released soon after social media tease
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones
    1
    The actor behind one of Game of Thrones' most legendary characters is in talks to join the cast of The Batman 2
  2. 2
    Roblox safety chief knows age checks are "unpopular," but "the cost of not acting is greater than the friction of acting"
  3. 3
    Amid the search for writers and directors, Bloodborne producer says he's feeling "all the pressure in the world" to get the movie adaptation right: "Gamers need it"
  4. 4
    "After 11 years leading the first-party development," PlayStation veteran Shuhei Yoshida says he was "fired" from the role for not listening to ex-Sony boss Jim Ryan
  5. 5
    New rumors suggest PS6 will massively out-perform the Steam Machine, but I'm not sure that's what we need right now

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...