Stranger Things is going all out for its series finale, and that includes hitting the big screen!
No show this fall is anticipated as Stranger Things season 5. After nearly a decade, the epic Netflix sci-fi horror series will be wrapping up in three installments. The first four episodes drop the day before Thanksgiving (November 26), the next three on Christmas Day and the grand finale on New Year’s Eve. Fans are eager to see how the phenomenon of a show concludes.
Now, however, Stranger Things isn’t just going to be wrapping up on Netflix, but on the big screen! Netflix just announced that a special screening of the series finale will take place at 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada, timed to the global premiere at 5:00 p.m. PT on December 31 and running through New Year’s Day, 2026.
This is a bit of a surprise as the Duffer Brothers had expressed a hope for the finale to run in theaters, but it was seemingly shot down by Netflix's chief creative officer, Bela Bajaria. However, it seems to have been in the works and only adds to the buzz about the show.
What to expect from the finale?
This isn’t the first time a TV show has coordinated a theatrical release alongside a streaming premiere. Doctor Who had several special screenings in theaters with their BBC broadcast, such as the 50th anniversary special in 2013. However, it’s still a huge deal for Netflix to do this.
It does make sense, as New Year's is a big time for movie-going and the show's fans would want to experience it in a unique way. Rather than do watch parties at home, they can make a theater excursion out of it and have a far more memorable experience.
The Duffer Brothers gave a statement to Tudum about the release and how proud they are of it:
"We’re beyond excited that fans will have the chance to experience the final episode of Stranger Things in theaters — it’s something we’ve dreamed about for years, and we’re so grateful to Ted, Bela, and everyone at Netflix for making it happen. Getting to see it on the big screen, with incredible sound, picture, and a room full of fans, feels like the perfect — dare we say bitchin’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure."
So far, there are no details on which theater locations will host the premiere, but it’s expected that there will be special fan events to coincide with them (costume contests, parties, etc). This does seem to confirm the finale will be a feature-length event, as Netflix wouldn’t waste theaters on a 50-minute episode.
This adds to the pressure on the Duffer Brothers to deliver a truly great finale and not fall on their faces like too many other shows have. For the true Stranger Things fan, seeing the grand conclusion on the big screen should make this an even bigger event, which is fitting for one of Netflix’s greatest hits.
Stranger Things season 5 premieres Thursday, November 26 on Netflix.