Netflix's New Split-Season Strategy: What It Means for Future Finales

Netflix's Split-Season Model Explained: Sandman, Cobra Kai, and More

Netflix has been shaking things up — and no, we're not just talking about surprise cancellations or shocking cliffhangers. Quietly but surely, the streaming giant has been building a new model for how it releases the final seasons of its most beloved shows. And if you’re a fan of Stranger Things, The Sandman, Cobra Kai, or even Emily in Paris, it’s time to brace yourself: splitting seasons is the new norm.

Let’s dive into what’s happening — and why it matters more than you might think.

A Trend We Should Have Seen Coming

The first real sign of this change came back in 2022, when Netflix released Stranger Things Season 4 in two parts. At first, it seemed like a one-time thing — a way to stretch out hype for their biggest show without leaving a multi-year gap before the next (and final) season.

But then, we started seeing it again and again.
Cobra Kai’s final season? Split into three parts.
Emily in Paris? Split into two parts.
And now, The Sandman — a show we geeked out over when it first launched — will follow the same playbook.

Netflix recently dropped the first teaser for The Sandman Season 2, and announced it would be split into two separate releases:

• Part 1 will premiere on July 3, 2025
• Part 2 will drop on July 24, 2025

Yep — barely three weeks apart, but still a split. Welcome to the new era.

Why The Sandman Feels Different

What’s particularly wild about The Sandman is that its second season wasn’t even supposed to feel “final.”
Netflix shot the entire season long before officially declaring it the end. But, amid some heavy real-world drama — including lawsuits and allegations against original Sandman creator Neil Gaiman — the streaming service decided to quietly label Season 2 as the show’s last.

Important note: Gaiman wasn't heavily involved in the show’s actual production, so the quality of the story is (thankfully) not dependent on the controversies surrounding him. But the impact on the fandom? Very real.

And for those who forgot: After Season 1 dropped, Netflix treated fans to a surprise bonus episode — an absolute gem that made the wait for Season 2 a little easier. So hey, maybe another bonus adventure could sneak its way between parts one and two? (We’re crossing our fingers.)

Why Netflix Is Doing This (And Why It Actually Makes Sense)

Let’s be real: streaming is a battlefield now.
Netflix isn’t the only game in town anymore — Disney+, Prime Video, Max, Paramount+, you name it — and viewer loyalty is more fragile than ever.

By splitting final seasons into multiple parts, Netflix:

• Keeps people subscribed longer ("You can't cancel yet, Part 2 is coming!")
• Generates more social buzz twice instead of once
• Gives shows room to breathe and create cultural moments instead of disappearing in a weekend binge

Honestly? It’s a smart move.
It may be frustrating for those of us who love binging a whole season at once (guilty!), but it makes sense for Netflix's bottom line — and for keeping shows like Stranger Things and The Sandman relevant longer.

Will Stranger Things Do the Same?

Absolutely.
In fact, we'd be shocked if Stranger Things Season 5 wasn't split into multiple parts. It’s Netflix’s biggest franchise, the one show that practically defines the service's golden age. Stretching out the farewell tour is inevitable — and honestly, kind of deserved.

Expect a giant first batch of episodes, a gut-wrenching cliffhanger, and then another few weeks (or months) of agonizing wait before the real ending.

Netflix isn't just giving us content. They’re giving us an event.

Pros and Cons of Netflix's New Model

Pros:

• 🎬 More hype and excitement around final seasons
• 📅 Keeps fans engaged longer (and more reasons to talk online)
• 🎁 Potential surprise bonus content (like The Sandman’s extra episode)

Cons:

• 🕰️ Waiting weeks between parts can kill momentum
• 📈 Feels a bit like a cash grab sometimes
• 📺 Harder to binge-watch the full story in one go

Netflix’s new way of handling finales might take some getting used to — but with epic series like Stranger Things and The Sandman on the horizon, it’s looking like we’re in for one wild (split) ride.

Stay tuned for more streaming deep dives, only here at Land of Geek Magazine! 🚀

#Netflix #StrangerThings #TheSandman #StreamingWars #GeekCulture