WhileStranger Thingshas given Mike short shrift for some time now, that is set to change with season 5’s arrival.Stranger Thingsseason 5 will be released in three parts, with the first batch of episodes arriving on November 26 and December 25, and the finale arriving on December 31.
After the original show ends, theStranger Thingsfranchise’s future at Netflixinvolves various spinoff shows and related projects. However, season 5’s arrival spells the end of the show’s main storyline, meaning the outing will say goodbye to the many iconic characters viewers have grown to know and love since 2016.
Stranger Things Season 5 Is Returning Mike To The Great Leader He Was Back In Season 1
Matt Duffer Revealed Mike’s Stranger Things Season 5 Comeback To Variety
One of the most pivotal characters in the entireStranger Thingssaga is Finn Wolfhard’s Mike Wheeler, a suburban boy who becomes an unlikely sci-fi hero after meeting Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven while searching for his missing friend. A meek, nerdy kid, Mike grows braver and more confident throughout seasons 1 and 2 ofStranger Things.
However, not all of Mike’s character changes were welcome alterations. In season 3, he was a pushy boyfriend to Eleven, eventually getting himself dumped as a result of his newly boorish behavior. In season 4, he was no longer as chauvinistic, but he was still sidelined in a storyline that largely forgot about his character.
Season 5, Series Finale
July 24, 2025
This was a shame since, in many other respects,Stranger Thingsseason 4’s storywas the show’s strongest outing since season 1. The series improved on a lot of its character issues from season 3, but left Mike behind in the process. Fortunately, co-creator Matt Duffer revealed toVarietythat this won’t be an issue for the final outing.
Mike will be back playing the hero inStranger Thingsseason 5, according to Duffer’s comments to the magazine. Per the writer, “You see Mike become that leader again that he was in Season 1, but a more mature, confident version,” as befits an older Mike who has all his friends back in his hometown after their year in California.
Mike’s Leadership Means Even More In Season 5 With The Wheeler Family’s Story Changes
Mike Can Finally Be The Stranger Things Hero He Once Was
In season 1, Mike’s role as the leader of the group made complete sense, as he seemed more mature than the others. However, this was no longer the case in seasons 3-4, where he lacked the strength for a leadership role. He became really immature in his romance with El, and did little to do much in season 4’s superfluous California story.
Mike will not only be stepping back into a stronger leadership role with his friends, but also with his younger sister, as they face the Upside Down together.
Fortunately,Stranger Thingsseason 5 is giving his little sister, Holly, a much bigger role. This means Mike will not only be stepping back into a stronger leadership role with his friends, but also with his younger sister, as they face the Upside Down together. Thus,Stranger Thingsseason 5 could be Mike’s best storyline since the series began.
