What happened: Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer discussed the show’s finale, particularly its runtime, content, and whether Netflix will screen it in theaters.
- When speaking to Variety about the series finale, Matt Duffer said, “We do every last remaining thing we wanted to do with the Demogorgons and Mind Flayer and Vecna and the Upside Down and Hawkins and these characters. This is a complete story. It’s done.”
- Matt added that the finale will be “around two hours.”
- Matt also expressed hope that the finale will get a theatrical release following the success of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters and the upcoming IMAX premiere of Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia.
- However, Netflix’s Chief Creative Officer, Bela Bajaria, struck down the possibility of a theatrical release, saying, “A lot of people — a lot, a lot, a lot of people — have watched Stranger Things on Netflix. It has not suffered from lack of conversation or community or sharing or fandom. I think releasing it on Netflix is giving the fans what they want.”
Why this is important: The Duffers confirmed that the Stranger Things finale will resolve all the mysteries and plotlines laid out throughout the show.
- Stranger Things 5 will be among the Duffers’ last projects with Netflix. In August, the Duffers signed a four-year deal with Paramount, where they will create new shows and theatrical movies.
- The Stranger Things season 5 runtimes for the first four episodes have been revealed. Episode 1 is one hour and 8 minutes; episode 2 is 54 minutes; episode 3 is one hour and 6 minutes; and episode 4 is one hour and 23 minutes.
- According to the Duffer Brothers, the finale will be around “two hours.”
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Why should I care? Stranger Things is one of the most popular TV shows in history, so the series finale will surely be a massive streaming sensation.
- Given Stranger Things’s popularity, Netflix can profit from screening the show’s feature-length finale in theaters.
- Either way, the show’s finale sounds like it will be a satisfying conclusion to long-time fans.
- Even with the Duffers leaving for Paramount, this will not be the end for the Stranger Things universe. The animated show, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, will premiere in 2026. A Stranger Things live-action spinoff is also in development.
OK, what’s next? Volume 1 of Stranger Things season 5 will premiere on Netflix on November 26, while Volume 2 will premiere on December 25, and the finale will premiere on New Year’s Eve.
- Fans can catch up on Stranger Things by streaming it on Netflix.
- Fans can also read Digital Trends’ guide on everything known about Stranger Things 5 so far.
