For years, the "TV vs. Cinema" debate has raged on, with streaming giants like Netflix often drawing a hard line in the sand about not wanting their stuff to help save theatrical exhibition.
But there is no better communal experience than watching something big in the theater with your friends, and even with strangers.
You all get to experience emotions at the same time and let the storytelling wash over you like a baptism.
That's something prestige TV has always lacked, but may be changing now with this bold new strategy for Stranger Things on Netflix.
In a move that signals a massive shift in distribution strategy (and a win for big-screen purists), Netflix has announced that the Stranger Things series finale will receive a wide theatrical release. They're treating the show's conclusion less like a TV episode and more like a summer tentpole.
But all the proceeds go to movie theaters! The full list of participating locations can be found at www.st5finale.com
Let's dive in.
Stranger Things in movie theaters. Credit: NEtflix
Stranger Things Hits the Big Screen
The Duffer brothers are definitely cinephiles, I mean, just look at all the movie homages in their TV show! So I am sure they are stoked to see the finale of Stranger Things on the big screen across the country.
The runtime is just over two hours, which means it's the length of a movie.
So what better way to watch the end of a massive series than with a bunch of other fans feeling all the same feels as you?
According to Variety, the Stranger Things Season 5 finale will hit over 500 theaters across the U.S. and Canada on December 31, 2025.
The screening will be a simultaneous release, meaning the episode drops on Netflix at the exact same time it premieres in theaters (5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET).
The full list of participating theater locations can be found at www.st5finale.com
Instead of selling tickets to the showing, exhibitors will sell concession vouchers that guarantee a seat. That way, theater owners can keep all the profits for exhibiting the TV show.
This is a massive win for participating theaters, and good advertising for Netflix, which might be loosening its stance against theatrical after all.
In LA, we have a few Netflix-owned theaters, and they will be just taking RSVPs from the website for seats.
The first four episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 are now available and crushing on Netflix, with them and all the other seasons in the top 20 of TV shows. We'll get three more episodes on Dec. 25, and then the finale will drop on Netflix and in theaters on Dec. 31.
Summing It All Up
It's taken many years to complete all five seasons of the TV show. This is sure to be a landmark experience seeing it end, and I think going to the theater and sitting with people to experience it together is one of the best Netflix marketing ideas they've ever had.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
