Finn Wolfhard Dropped Major 'Stranger Things' Spinoff Hint That May Reveal Eleven’s Fate

As fans of the long-running Netflix hit Stranger Things attempt to wrap their head around the series finale, there's been no shortage of questions and debates about the Season 5 ending. Specifically, the topic of whether Eleven died in the Stranger Things Season 5 finale remains a point of frustration for many. Although the Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross, told Tudum that they've left it up to viewers to decide what they believe happened to Eleven, there may be to the story. At least that's the hope for most viewers who have already seen the series finale, and thankfully, fans have reason to be optimistic.

Warning: There are some spoilers from the series finale of Stranger Things beyond this point.

Did Finn Wolfhard Reveal a Key Detail About the 'Stranger Things' Spinoff?

If there's one thing fans could count on following the Stranger Things finale, it's that if there were any possible way to tie together unanswered questions, people would find it. On the specific topic of the Stranger Things spinoff that's largely been kept under wraps, an interview with Finn Wolfhard on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2023 began making the rounds again.

However, it was that interview, paired with comments Matt Duffer made to Deadline, that flipped the lightbulb on quickly. Duffer told the site that the spinoff is moving forward at Netflix, also revealing that Wolfhard guessed what it was previously.

"We are moving forward with it. Netflix, they finally know what it is. We held it. They were so frustrated," Matt said. "We just would not tell them. Finn [Wolfhard] guessed what it was. So he was the only one who knew."

Not surprisingly, following the Stranger Things finale, social media users found a clip of Wolfhard talking to Fallon in 2023. He revealed that he had guessed the spinoff and that the Duffer Brothers confirmed it, but one specific comment stood out.

"We were all talking about, like joking [saying], 'Oh they're all going to have us back in 20 years, we're all going to be like fat and old' and being like, 'Eleven, where are you?'" Wolfhard said to Fallon.

"Then I was like, 'Oh, but if you guys are actually going to do a spinoff, it should be this.' And I said it, and the Duffers looked at each other, then they looked at me, and they were like, 'Can we talk to you for a second?' They pulled me off, and they were like, 'That is the idea, who told you?' And I was like 'no one.' And they were like, 'What do you mean, you just like, came up with it?"

finn basically spoiled the ending and spin off all the way back in 2023 i’m crying pic.twitter.com/yshadWlQsk

— ִֶָ (@elvngf) January 1, 2026

To summarize the rundown that sparked the newest Stranger Things spinoff theory, here's a look at each piece:

• Finn Wolfhard revealed to Jimmy Fallon in 2023 that he had correctly guessed the idea behind the Stranger Things spinoff.
• Wolfhard said the group would be back, asking, "Eleven, where are you?"
• The Duffer Brothers confirmed in 2025 that Wolfhard had correctly guessed the idea behind the Stranger Things spinoff.

Wolfhard went on to explain that the Duffer Brothers ultimately just told him "don't tell anyone" about the spinoff. However, Wolfhard's comment that they'd return asking "Eleven, where are you?" may be worth remembering as the spinoff takes shape.

Will the 'Stranger Things' Spinoff Answer if Eleven Is Dead?

Although the Duffer Brothers have stated that the Stranger Things spinoff will feature "new characters" and a "clean slate," as Variety detailed, they also made one other noteworthy comment. While speaking with The National, Ross admitted that a scene from the finale gives "a hint" as to what the spinoff will be.

"There’s one small scene in the finale that gives a hint as to what the spin-off will be," Ross Duffer said. "We’ll see if people pick up on it."

Obviously, the final scene of Stranger Things Season 5, featuring Eleven overlooking a mountain with waterfalls, is far from "small;" it's still worth factoring in. It's anyone's guess whether the spinoff will feature the original crew, even in part, attempting to find out if Eleven is still alive. Or, it could potentially be just one layer of a much bigger story that indeed features all-new characters.

Regardless, for the many Stranger Things fans seeking answers, it doesn't sound like the new TV show is anywhere close to announcing a timeline, so it'll almost certainly be a lengthy waiting game to see whether the dots were connected correctly.

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