Will “Stranger Things” conquer more than the Upside Down?
Netflix has revealed its awards strategy for the fifth and final season of “Stranger Things,” submitting the entire acting ensemble cast in supporting categories for theGolden Globes in addition to other fall awards,Variety has learned exclusively.
The Golden Globes slate features all performers submitted for best performance by an actor/actress in a supporting role on television in their respective gender categories. The series itself is listed once again for best television series (drama), while the ensemble will compete for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series at the SAG Awards and the show’s stunt team will also be submitted.
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These submissions apply only to the fall awards season. Netflix’s official Emmy campaign strategy for 2026 has yet to be determined. For the Golden Globes specifically, voters will consider only the first four episodes of the final season.
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For the SAG Awards, which notably does not distinguish between lead and supporting performers in television series, all actors compete in the same race: David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and Jamie Campbell Bower are positioned for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series, while Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink, Natalia Dyer and Maya Hawke compete for the female equivalent.
The news of the submissions follow the show’s highly successful world premiere Thursday evening at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, held on Stranger Things Day (Nov. 6). The event screened the season opener “The Crawl” along with 10 minutes from the second episode, edited together seamlessly, giving audiences their first glimpse at the series’ epic conclusion.
Netflix’s all-supporting strategy for the Globes is a notable departure from traditional awards positioning, where series typically designate clear lead performers. Ryder was submitted in the lead category the previous two seasons. The decision emphasizes the show’s ensemble nature and could prove advantageous in a competitive fall season.
The move also sparks speculation about whether “Stranger Things” could achieve a capstone moment in the TV awards space, similar to other beloved franchises that peaked in their final outings. “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” famously swept the Oscars with 11 wins, while recent television juggernauts “Schitt’s Creek” and “Game of Thrones” dominated their final Emmy cycles.
“Stranger Things” enters its farewell season with a formidable awards pedigree: 57 Primetime Emmy nominations (12 wins), four Golden Globe nominations and a 2017 SAG Award win for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series. The cast has been collectively nominated three times in that category. Brown stands as the most nominated cast member overall, while she, Harbour and Ryder have each received individual SAG recognition. Brown and Harbour have earned two Emmy noms each, with Harbour and Ryder also garnering Golden Globe nods.
The fifth season will roll out across three volumes: four episodes on Nov. 26, three on Christmas Day and the series finale on New Year’s Eve, with each release scheduled for 5 p.m. PST. The staggered release strategy ensures “Stranger Things” maintains cultural dominance throughout the holiday season, potentially building momentum for Emmy campaigns.
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