Netflix has quietly corrected an editing slip in Stranger Things season five after sharp-eyed fans noticed a piece of clothing that simply did not belong in 1980s America.
The error appeared in episode seven of the latest batch of episodes, released on 25 December, and it did not take long for viewers to call it out online.
What was the Stranger Things editing mistake?
Fans noticed that Holly Wheeler, played by Nell Fisher, was wearing an Under Armour shirt while trapped in Vecna’s lair.
The problem? Under Armour was founded in 1996, while the episode is set in 1987, a clear timeline clash for a show known for its careful 80s nostalgia.
Within days, screenshots of the logo spread across social media, with viewers joking that the brand had somehow made it into the Upside Down.
When did Netflix fix the error?
According to fans rewatching the episode, the logo was edited out around a week after release, ahead of the final volume of season five.
Netflix has not issued an official statement, but the change was spotted by viewers before the final episodes dropped at 1am UK time on New Year’s Eve (midnight GMT / 8pm ET).
One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Stranger Things is trying to ‘Mandela effect’ us. They really went and edited out the Under Armour logo on Holly’s shirt.”
Another added: “Just rewatching the last episode before the finale of Stranger Things, looks like they’ve fixed Holly’s Under Armour sleeve.”
Why are anachronisms a big deal for Stranger Things fans?
Stranger Things has built its global success on authentic 1980s details, from music and bikes to clothing and home interiors.
Even small mistakes stand out to long-time fans, especially in the final season of a show that first aired in 2016.
One viewer joked on social media: “Holly wearing Under Armour in season five is more unsettling than Vecna.”
Another quipped: “Did she tear through the fabric of space and time and go into the future?!”
Has this happened to other TV shows before?
Yes, and some mistakes have become legendary.
Famous TV anachronism examples
- Game of Thrones (2019): A modern Starbucks cup appeared in a season eight episode, forcing HBO to publicly acknowledge the error.
- Game of Thrones finale: A plastic water bottle was later spotted, adding to fan frustration over the final season.
The Stranger Things Under Armour mistake now joins this list, although Netflix’s quiet fix helped limit wider backlash.
Are fans unhappy with Stranger Things season five overall?
The clothing error is not the only criticism aimed at the latest episodes.
Many viewers have said the newest season feels slower and less dramatic than expected, with complaints including:
- Fewer action sequences
- No major shock deaths
- Storylines seen as underwhelming for a final season
LO CORRIGEN ❌ Netflix editó el episodio 7 de la temporada final de #StrangerThings tras un error de continuidad: la manga de Holly mostraba el logo de #UnderArmour, algo incorrecto, ya que la historia se sitúa en 1987 y la marca fue fundada hasta 1996. pic.twitter.com/sCwwnEkMd5
— ANDRU (@andrugeek) December 30, 2025
This reaction is notable given the show’s near-ten-year run and huge cultural impact in the UK and worldwide.
When does the Stranger Things finale release in the UK?
The final episodes of Stranger Things are now available on Netflix, following their release in the early hours of New Year’s Eve (UK time).
This marks the end of the series, nearly a decade after its debut, and closes one of Netflix’s most successful franchises.
