Stranger Things 5: Director Shawn Levy Calls Show's Fans 'Greatest On Earth', Pens Emotional Note On Decade-Long Journey

Stranger Things Season 5 is finally here, and as excitement peaks among fans, director and executive producer Shawn Levy has reflected on the extraordinary decade-long journey of the beloved Netflix series.

After the Volume 1 premiere, Levy expressed deep gratitude, nostalgia, and admiration for both the show and its massive global fandom.

Shawn Levy pens emotional note for Stranger Things fans

Levy took to X to share an emotional message along with a behind-the-scenes photo from early in the show's production. He wrote, “This picture, taken almost a decade ago, sums up the experience of making @Stranger_Things. Yes, it's been challenging and utterly exhausting at times, but it's also been one of the great privileges and joys of my creative life. It's also introduced us to hands-down the greatest fans on earth. Thank you, Stranger Nation, for making this dream come true and thanks above all Matt and Ross Duffer--the little brothers I never knew I needed, but will treasure, always.”Take a look:

Levy on directing 2 episodes of Stranger Things every season

As Stranger Things embarks on its final season, Levy opened up about his behind-the-camera contributions this year. Speaking at the Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 1 premiere, he explained to Deadline that while he usually directs two episodes each season, his schedule for Deadpool & Wolverine prevented him from handling his usual Episodes 3 and 4. Instead, he directed Episode 6 and co-directed Episode 7 with the Duffer Brothers.ALSO READ:Stranger Things Season 5: 'The Vanishing Of...' - NOT Will Or Eleven, But THIS Character Disappears In Episode 2“Like always, I direct two episodes every season, but because of Deadpool & Wolverine I couldn’t do 3 and 4 like I’ve done every year,” he told Deadline. “So I directed 6, and I co-directed Episode 7 with the Duffer brothers, which is the first time that we’ve shared directing duties. It felt like a really fitting commemoration of this brotherhood the three of us have forged over the years.”Episode 6 is titled 'Escape from Camazotz' - a name that has already triggered intense fan theories online. Episode 7, titled 'The Bridge,' marks a historic collaboration between him and the Duffers. Both episodes will release on Christmas Day as part of Volume 2 of Season 5.