Noah Schnapp Explains Why He Refuses To Watch The ‘Stranger Things’ Finale On New Year’s Eve
The long wait for the conclusion of the cultural phenomenon ‘Stranger Things’ is finally over as the series finale arrives on Netflix this New Year’s Eve. Millions of fans around the world are preparing to ring in 2026 by witnessing the final battle for Hawkins and the ultimate fate of their favorite characters. While the excitement is palpable among the dedicated fanbase, one of the show’s leading stars has decided to opt out of the live viewing experience. Noah Schnapp, who has played Will Byers since the show premiered in 2016, recently revealed that he will not be tuning in when the episode drops at midnight.
Schnapp candidly admitted that watching the final chapter unfold as the ball drops would simply be too emotionally overwhelming for him to handle during a holiday celebration. He explained that he does not want to start his new year feeling depressed by the inevitable conclusion of the story that defined his adolescence. The actor views this finale as a definitive goodbye to his childhood and the close-knit family he built on set over the last decade. These characters have become intrinsic parts of the actors themselves, making the separation feel like losing a piece of their own identity.
The pressure on the series creators Matt and Ross Duffer to deliver a satisfying ending has been immense since the show became a global sensation. Schnapp noted that it is literally impossible to please every single person with a finale of this magnitude. He praised the Duffer brothers for maintaining a tunnel vision approach and focusing solely on the story they set out to tell ten years ago. They refused to let internet theories or conflicting fan desires sway the narrative direction they had planned from the beginning.
The emotional weight of the final episode is apparently enough to move even the most stoic members of the production team. Schnapp shared that Matt Duffer, who is known for rarely showing emotion at his own work, was visibly moved every time he watched the last episode. Knowing that the showrunner himself tears up gave Schnapp a clear indication of how he would react as someone who cries easily. The cast has already shared tearful moments during table reads and private screenings as they processed the end of their era together.
Will Byers has been at the center of the supernatural mystery since his disappearance in the very first episode. His journey from a scared boy trapped in the Upside Down to a young man confronting his trauma and identity has anchored the emotional core of the series. Fans have watched Schnapp and his co-stars grow up on screen, which adds a profound layer of nostalgia to this final farewell. The finale promises to close the book on everyone’s stories and leave the audience with a sense of completion.
Are you planning to watch the final episode as soon as it drops or will you wait to emotionally prepare yourself like Noah? Tell us your finale viewing plans in the comments.