You’re probably standing in your kitchen, maybe staring at a pile of dishes or a half-chopped onion, wondering when the hell the chaos returns. It’s been a minute. We’ve all been there—that specific "The Bear" itch that only high-stress shouting and beautifully plated short ribs can scratch. But the big question hanging over everyone’s head right now isn’t just when Carmy and the crew are coming back, but exactly how much story we’re getting. People are asking about how many episodes season 4 the bear will actually have, and honestly, the answer is simpler than the rumors made it out to be.
How many episodes season 4 the bear actually has
If you were hoping for a massive, 20-episode mega-season to make up for the long wait, I’ve got some news. It’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. The Bear Season 4 consists of exactly 10 episodes.
Yeah, ten.
It’s the same magic number we saw in Season 2 and Season 3. While the first season kept things tight with an 8-episode run, the show seems to have found its rhythm in the 10-episode format. All 10 episodes dropped at once on June 25, 2025, keeping that binge-friendly "all-at-once" model that FX on Hulu loves so much. No weekly waiting. No agonizing over a cliffhanger for seven days. Just one long, stressful night of television if you’ve got the stomach for it.
💡 You might also like: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Why the rumors said otherwise
For a while there, the internet was a mess of "insider info" claiming we were getting 18 episodes. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (our beloved Richie) even mentioned in a few interviews back in late 2024 that they had shot about 18 episodes' worth of material.
Naturally, fans lost their minds.
People thought Season 4 was going to be this giant, sprawling epic. In reality, what Ebon was describing was the "back-to-backish" filming schedule. The production team realized Season 3 was swelling. The scripts were getting dense. They filmed parts of Season 4 while they were still in the thick of Season 3 to save time and money, especially since the cast is now full of genuine movie stars. Jeremy Allen White is playing Bruce Springsteen now, for crying out loud. You can’t just get these people in a room together whenever you want anymore.
📖 Related: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
The episode breakdown and what to expect
Every episode in this fourth outing runs between 30 and 45 minutes, with the exception of the finale, "Goodbye," which pushes a bit longer. If you haven't binged it yet, here is the roadmap of what those 10 episodes look like:
- Groundhogs – A weirdly quiet, repetitive start that sets the mood.
- Soubise – The gears actually start turning here.
- Scallop – Classic "The Bear" tension.
- Worms – This one was co-written by Ayo Edebiri and Lionel Boyce. It’s a standout.
- Replicants – A bit of a reset for the kitchen staff.
- Sophie – We finally meet a character who’s been teased for a bit.
- Bears – The wedding episode. It’s exactly as stressful as you think.
- Green – Focuses on the "keeping on" aspect of the business.
- Tonnato – Carmy takes a literal and metaphorical ride.
- Goodbye – The finale that everyone is calling a masterpiece.
It’s a tight list. Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo didn't waste much space here. Unlike Season 3, which some critics (and fans, let’s be real) felt was a bit slow or "vibey," Season 4 is propulsive. It feels like the show remembered it’s about a restaurant that’s actually trying to survive, not just a collection of artistic montages.
Does the episode count matter for the ending?
There’s been a lot of talk about whether this is the end. When you hear "10 episodes," it feels like a standard season, but the way "Goodbye" wraps up has people divided. FX Chairman John Landgraf has been pretty open about letting the creators decide when the story is over.
👉 See also: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
The reality is that how many episodes season 4 the bear has doesn't dictate the series' longevity. They could have done six episodes or sixteen; what matters is the "countdown clock" Uncle Jimmy puts on the wall. The stakes are higher because the Chicago Tribune finally dropped their review, and the restaurant is basically on life support.
One thing that makes this season feel "fuller" despite only having 10 episodes is the cameos. We’re talking heavy hitters. Sarah Ramos returns as Chef Jessica, and we even get Rob Reiner playing a consultant named Albert. These aren't just empty "hey look at me" appearances; they actually push the plot forward.
What you should do next
If you’re planning to dive in, don’t just rush through it. This show is built on the details.
- Watch "Worms" twice. Ayo Edebiri’s writing is sharp, and the dialogue between Sydney and her cousin Chantel (played by the incredible Danielle Deadwyler) adds layers to Syd that we haven't seen before.
- Pay attention to the background. The production design in the new kitchen is insane. There are little nods to the original "Beef" hidden in the corners of the high-end "Bear" sets.
- Check your volume. As usual, the sound mixing is a character itself. The constant ticking, the "behind" calls, and the soundtrack are meant to make you feel a little bit ill. That’s the point.
Since Season 5 has already been greenlit and Jeremy Allen White confirmed filming starts in early 2026, you don't have to worry about this being the final goodbye. You’ve got time to digest these 10 episodes before the next course. Get your Hulu login ready, find a comfortable spot, and maybe have some Tums nearby. It’s going to be a long night in the kitchen.
Keep an eye on the official FX press releases for the Season 5 production timeline, as the filming schedule is currently being juggled around the cast's massive film commitments.