Missing the Upside Down? Here's Why Stranger Things Has Taken Forever to Come Back

Way back in July 2018, Netflix gave us a glimpse at the third season of its sci-fi horror darling Stranger Things. While it was great to plop into Hawkins for 90 seconds and to hear about the brand-spanking-new mall that's coming to town, the teaser also came with a bit of sour news: we'd have to wait a whole 'nother year before the show returned. Then came the official date announcement on Dec. 31 — season three will drop on the streaming platform on July 4.

While it's been nice to spend all this time theorizing about what's to come for our favorite Indiana residents — especially in regards to what's up with all those rats — the wait for new episodes of the beloved hit has been torturous, to say the least. So, what's the hold up?

During Netflix's big day as part of the TCA Summer press tour back in August 2018, Netflix's vice president of original content, Cindy Holland, fielded a bunch of questions about the current state of affairs. When it comes to Stranger Things, she didn't have much to say except yes, it will indeed be a full year until we get new episodes. But it's not for nothing (I guess)! "It's a hand-crafted show," she said. "The Duffer brothers and Shawn Levy have worked really hard . . . and want to deliver something bigger and better than they did last year. They want to take the time to get it right. I think it will be a fantastic season and will be worth the wait."

From what we've seen of the new season so far we're definitely intrigued (even though, again, we've basically seen zilch). Let's hope that the Duffer brothers can pull a hat-trick when Stranger Things returns this Summer.