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What's going to be the next Stranger Things?

It's a question worth asking, seeing as how the record-breaking scifi series from streamer Netflix is coming to an end before this year is out. But if you ask that question to the minds behind the pop culture titan - that is, Matt and Ross Duffer - you may get a somewhat depressing answer, at least from the latter. That's speculation, of course, but it does come from a place that's certain - a quote from Ross Duffer himself. You see, the filmmaker seems to believe that the opportunities that led to the creation of Stranger Things are narrowing... maybe even disappearing altogether.

The sentiment comes from an interview Duffer and his brother did with Variety, published October 15. In the course of the discussion, Duffer speaks frequently of all the circumstances that allowed Stranger Things to debut on and take hold of Netflix the way it did, and at one point, expresses the idea that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"When we started," Duffer said, "It was very early Netflix, [...] And I don’t know how many more opportunities there are going to be to tell stories of this length on that size canvas. So whenever I have the regrets that Matt was saying, I’m excited that we were able to take advantage of this very specific period of time in the industry."

Opportunities for the Duffers' future, on the other hand, are not so rare. Not only do the pair have a ways to go yet in their roles as Stranger Things's creative heads, with an animated series and a spinoff reportedly on the way, but even after that, the duo will be swapping Netflix red for Paramount blue, where they'll be developing feature projects around original IP.

And who knows? With Netflix soon to be in need of some certifiable moneymakers, perhaps opportunities over at the streamer will open up after all. 

Stranger Things season 5, volume one debuts November 26 on Netflix, followed by volume 2 on December 25, and the ultimate finale of the series on December 31.  

As we all collectively wait for Stranger Things season 5, here's the keys to getting ready:

• How to watch Stranger Things in chronological or release order
• Getting to know the Stranger Things season 5 cast
• There needs to be more death in Stranger Things, says co-star Gaten Matarazzo
• The Stranger Things time jump between season 4 and 5 has been confirmed by Netflix - and it raises some serious questions
• "They land the plane," David Harbour describes the Stranger Things finale, which he calls its "best episode"