Stranger Things Season 5 was planned to end the year with a bang, but it seems like the beloved science fiction horror franchise is the one getting blasted by fans and critics for its underwhelming fifth season.

The cast notably expressed their worry about the series suffering the same fate as Game of Thrones Season 8, revealing that they worked hard to avoid such a fiasco. Unfortunately, Stranger Things is slowly heading in the same direction due to several reasons.

From low critical ratings to a rushed storyline, the ghost of Game of Thrones Season 8 is seemingly projecting itself on Stranger Things.

5Stranger Things Season 5 Received the Most Embarrassing RT Score

The latest season of Stranger Things received an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the lowest among the bunch. Such was the case with Game of Thrones Season 8, which earned a scathing 55% approval rating, tarnishing the franchise’s stellar legacy.

Final seasons are a very tricky business; they have the potential to make or break an entire series, and most fans will only remember how good or bad the story ended. It has one last chance to redeem itself as the final episode is yet to be released, and we’re hoping it won’t be as terrible as the Game of Thrones finale.

4Stranger Things Season 5 Handled Storylines In A Haphazard Way

Game of Thrones was scrutinized for Daenerys’ descent into madness and her sudden fit of rage that resulted in the burning of King’s Landing. For many viewers, her change of heart escalated too quickly without proper establishment.

Stranger Things seemingly rushed its storyline as well. The most prominent example was the case of Nancy and Jonathan’s relationship taking a sudden, dramatic turn. The proposal, aka break-up scene, did not sit well with many fans as it didn’t make sense to pull out an engagement ring and eventually “un-propose.”

3Stranger Things Season 5 Became Convoluted With Too Many Figures

Stranger Things used to be easy to follow as viewers were only focused on the main characters, but as the series headed towards the final season, we’re now dealing with several people’s arcs that there’s no more time and space to wrap up each of their stories neatly.

Game of Thrones, from the onset, already introduced a host of characters, and while viewers had time to figure out each of their roles, Season 8 had several goings-on condensed in just six episodes. No wonder they had to rush the plot to arrive at the conclusion.

2Stranger Things Season 5 Couldn’t Save The Plot Despite Huge Funding

The budget allocated for the fifth season dwarfs any blockbuster movie out there, with a reported cost of $50 to $60 million per episode (a total of $400 to $480 million) as per Puck News. Season 4’s reported budget was around $30 million per episode, making the latest installment one of the most expensive TV shows ever.

The hefty price tag does not seem to reflect in the enjoyment of the viewers, the same instance that happened to Game of Thrones Season 8 after allocating a huge fund and ultimately disappointing its audience.

1Stranger Things Season 5 Is Being Called Out For A Remake

As with any show ending with a negative reception, many fans demand to fix the story, a similar occurrence that plagued Game of Thrones. It seems quite a long shot, and it’s unlikely the showrunners will bend to fans’ requests, though a call for a redo is usually a bad sign.

The only chance the series can avoid public outrage is to deliver the final episode as good as they promised, to save them from the harsh fate of Game of Thrones.