Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
Stranger Things fans are in for a surprise as Netflix shifts the next chapter onto the big screen.
As the end of Stranger Things draws near, Netflix has laid out where fans can gather to watch the series close its final chapter.
The platform is marking the moment with a rare theatrical release that lands at the exact time the episode arrives online.
Across the U.S. and Canada, hundreds of cinemas are preparing for a New Year’s Eve rollout that blends streaming culture with big-screen spectacle.
A rare big-screen plan
The final installment of Season 5 will play in more than 500 theaters at 5pm PT on December 31, 2025, mirroring its global debut on Netflix.
Screenings continue through January 1, 2026, giving audiences a shared viewing window for the show’s last outing.
Netflix also confirmed that the finale runs 2 hours and 5 minutes, making it one of the longest episodes in the series’ decade-long history.
Creators’ long-held wish
According to statements shared by Netflix, the series’ creators Matt and Ross Duffer described the move as the fulfillment of an idea they have carried for years.
“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,” they said.
Seeing it with full sound, a large screen, and a room of fans, they added, felt like a fitting way to close the story.
Ross Duffer echoed that sentiment in October when he warned that viewers should only attend if they are comfortable being emotional in public.
“If you don’t mind crying in front of strangers, GO,” he wrote on Instagram, hinting that the finale may hit harder than earlier episodes.
Why theaters now
The Duffers have repeatedly told Variety that the extended runtimes in Season 5 made theatrical exhibition a natural fit.
Ross noted that a shared viewing atmosphere “would be incredible,” while Matt emphasized that theaters better showcase the detail poured into sound and picture.
Still, Netflix has maintained that streaming remains the core experience. Chief creative officer Bela Bajaria told Variety the show never needed a theatrical boost to sustain its cultural impact.
“It has not suffered from lack of conversation or community or sharing or fandom,” she said, adding that releasing it on Netflix “is giving the fans what they want.”
Final release schedule
Season 5 is rolling out in three parts: Volume 1 (Episodes 501–504) released on November 26 at 5pm PT; Volume 2 (Episodes 505–507) arrives December 25; and the finale (Episode 508) lands December 31.
Sources: ST5finale.com, IGN Nordic
