Stranger Things Secret Episode 9: After almost a decade of airing, the popular show ‘Stranger Things’ has come to an end. The final chapter of this show was recently released on the OTT platform Netflix, and the ending left many fans disappointed. Ever since fans saw the two-hour-long series finale for this sci-fi show, they have been speculating theories around the show’s conclusion. They think that this finale was not the real ending, and there is a hidden, secret 'Stranger Things' episode nine. Let’s dive in to see what this secret 'Stranger Things' episode nine is all about and what the fans are saying about the viral conformity gate theory here.
After tweets, posts, reels and TikToks of this secret 'Stranger Things' episode nine flooded the internet, fans rushed to find it on Netflix. With millions of users trying to find this secret episode that doesn’t exist, they literally crashed the streaming platform Netflix. The Instagram bio of this ‘Stranger Things’ also says that “ALL EPISODES OF STRANGER THINGS ARE NOW PLAYING.”
The conformity gate theory is the one that gave Stranger Things’ fans hope for an alternative, better finale of the show. Under this theory, fans suggest that what we saw in the series finale was not real but a mere false conclusion or illusion rather than the ending of the Hawkins saga.
ALSO READ- Stranger Things Season 5 Ending Explained: Who Kills Vecna In The Series Finale?
Multiple fan theories are running around the internet on the secret 'Stranger Things' episode nine, and the conformity gate theory. Let’s dive in to see what ST fans are saying on X (formerly Twitter) here!
A Twitter user, @sortaskylar97, said, “Has anyone else gone down the Stranger Things ‘conformity gate’ rabbit hole??? I feel like Joyce with them damn lights because there’s no way all this stuff was completely random! Actually losing my marbles rn!”
Has anyone else gone down the stranger things “conformity gate” rabbit hole??? I feel like Joyce with them damn lights because there’s no way all this stuff was completely random! Actually losing my marbles rn! pic.twitter.com/5zHYHgL2hH
— Skylar McAllister (@sortaskylar97) January 5, 2026
Another user, @Metal__Ed, said, “I love the creators & actors in Stranger Things. I would have loved another episode, but #conformitygate united us fans to globally relive & analyse 10 yrs of stories! That was the best part of the finale for me. This whole week, reminiscing with friends after a great DND campaign.”
I love the creators & actors in Stranger Things. I would have loved another episode, but #conformitygate united us fans to globally relive & analyze 10 yrs of stories!That was the best part of finale for me. This whole week, reminiscing w friends like after great DND campaign. pic.twitter.com/K4IbwiT8oR
— Metal Ed (@Metal__Ed) January 8, 2026
A user tweeted on how the makers didn’t give fans a good ending for the show, saying, “Stranger Things fans at 12:01 am on Jan 8th when they finally realise that episode 8 was indeed the actual finale, conformity gate isn’t real, and the finale really was just THAT bad #StrangerThings5 #conformitygate”
stranger things fans at 12:01am on Jan 8th when they finally realize that episode 8 was indeed the actual finale, conformity gate isn’t real and the finale really was just THAT bad #StrangerThings5 #conformitygate pic.twitter.com/cVKk8ceTsC
— THE DEVIL 👹 (@peeIedgrape) January 7, 2026
Stranger Things fans are very self-aware, and an X user, @rkiveego, said, “We really broke Netflix for an episode that doesn’t exist
#StrangerThings
#StrangerThings5
#conformitygate”
we really broke netflix for an episode that doesn’t exist #StrangerThings#StrangerThings5 #conformitygate pic.twitter.com/Yd0jOS2TRm
— taly⁷ ⊙⊝⊜ ⭒ seeing halsey in feb (@rkiveego) January 8, 2026
A Twitter user, @feefohara, talked more about the theory and why people believed it was true by saying, “this theory was great either way, because now it's gonna haunt the Duffer brothers knowing their finale was so bad we had to theorise and crash Netflix for an alternate ending that didn't exist #conformitygate”
this theory was great either way, because now its gonna haunt the duffer brothers knowing their finale was so bad we had to theorise and crash netflix for an alternate ending that didnt exist #conformitygate pic.twitter.com/KWdUg33Wqz
— beca☆ (@feefohara) January 8, 2026
Overall, after reviewing multiple fan theories, it is safe to say that people are mad at the Duffer brothers for giving the show this finale. Fans had really high hopes built up for the series finale, and the final episode didn’t match their high expectations.
Check out the full cast list for the final season of ‘Stranger Things’ here!
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven
Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler
Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna
Noah Schnapp as Will Byers
Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson
Sadie Sink as Max Mayfiel
Joe Keery as Steve Harrington
Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair
Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler
Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers
Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers
David Harbour as Jim Hopper
Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley
Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair
Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman
Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler
Amybeth McNulty as Vickie
Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler
Jake Connelly as Derek
Alex Breaux as Lt Akers
Linda Hamilton as Dr Kay
ALSO READ- Stranger Things Season 5 Finale: Is Eleven Really Dead?
This fifth season of the sci-fi series is going to be its final chapter. The Hawkins crew reunites this season to find and kill Vecna. Take this last crazy adventure with your favourite gang to see how their story ends in ‘Stranger Things’ season five. You can now stream all seasons of this show on the OTT platform, Netflix.
View this post on Instagram
Image Credit: Instagram, IMDb
For more such stories, stay tuned to HerZindagi.
Also watch this video
Herzindagi video
Our aim is to provide accurate, safe and expert verified information through our articles and social media handles. The remedies, advice and tips mentioned here are for general information only. Please consult your expert before trying any kind of health, beauty, life hacks or astrology related tips. For any feedback or complaint, contact us at [email protected].