‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Finale Sets Theatrical Even in the US & Canada
Picture courtesy of Netflix
To celebrate the conclusion of the record-breaking series, Netflix announced today that it will bring the finale episode of Stranger Things 5 to select theaters across the U.S. and Canada, following news earlier this week that an agreement had been reached despite a Variety profile the week before stating the opposite.
The screenings will take place in over 350 theaters starting December 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PT, aligning with the global premiere of the finale on Netflix. Screenings will continue through January 1, 2026, giving fans a chance to ring in the New Year in Hawkins style.
In a statement, the Duffer Brothers said:
“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.”
More details on how to attend these fan screenings, including participating theater locations, will be revealed later this year.
As mentioned, the news comes after Puck reported earlier in the week that a deal had been reached between Netflix and AMC to bring the finale to theaters. It must be said that the reaction to that news was somewhat mixed, although we’d gently push back to tell you that you still have the ultimate choice of whether you see it in theaters or at home.
Whether this rollout will expand beyond the United States and Canada remains to be seen.
In the past few days, O2 Priority in the United Kingdom has launched a competition that would allow Brits to watch season 5 episode 1 a few days before its Netflix launch, with Cineworld cinemas across the country hosting the event on November 24th. They’re giving away 1,000 pairs of tickets to the early preview premiere, three days before the premiere. Whether the UK gets a full rollout on New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day remains to be seen.
The trailer is coming up soon, with rumored dates for it dropping on either October 27th or October 29th. That comes after the season 4 rewatch this weekend, with more posters expected too.