The concluding episode of *Stranger Things* is set to debut in cinemas, as revealed by Netflix today. The feature-length conclusion of Season 5 will be screened in over 350 locations across the US and Canada on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. Showings will commence at 8 p.m. ET on December 31, aligning with the global launch of the episode on Netflix.
“We’re incredibly thrilled that fans will have the opportunity to witness the final episode of *Stranger Things* in theaters — this is something we’ve envisioned for years, and we’re immensely thankful to [Netflix CEO] Ted [Sarandos], [Netflix Chief Content Officer] Bela [Bajaria], and everyone at Netflix for making this a reality,” stated *Stranger Things* creators Matt and Ross Duffer in a press release. “Experiencing it on the big screen, with amazing sound, visuals, and a theater full of fans, seems like the ideal — dare we say awesome — way to commemorate the conclusion of this journey.”
These theater screenings represent a shift from Netflix’s original decision to keep the finale solely on its streaming service. In a *Variety* piece concerning *Stranger Things* Season 5, Bajaria had ruled out the possibility of a theatrical release, claiming, “Numerous individuals — countless, countless individuals — have streamed *Stranger Things* on Netflix. It has not lacked conversation or community, nor sharing or fandom. I believe that launching it on Netflix is providing fans what they desire.”
Nonetheless, Netflix has recently experienced success with theatrical releases of titles that were already popular on their platform, such as *KPop Demon Hunters*, which enjoyed a successful singalong event this past summer and is returning to theaters for Halloween.
Further details about attending these fan events and which theaters will screen the finale will be shared by Netflix at a future time. Mashable will keep reporting on this story as it unfolds.
Volume 1 of *Stranger Things 5* debuts on November 26 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. Volume 2 will follow on December 26, with the series finale premiering on December 31.