198 Minutes
Netflix Confirms Two-Hour Finale — and a Theatrical Moment
Netflix has officially confirmed the runtime for the long-awaited finale of Stranger Things season 5: a two-hour and five-minute episode that will serve as the show’s dramatic send-off. In a move that blurs the line between streaming and cinema, Netflix will premiere the episode globally while staging special theatrical screenings across North America.
Starting December 31, 2025, the finale will be available to stream worldwide — and fans in the United States and Canada can experience the episode on the big screen. Special fan showings will run from December 31, 2025 through January 1, 2026 in more than 500 cinemas. Seats can be reserved via RSVP at ST5Finale.com, which lists participating theaters and cities.
What makes these screenings different?
The participating theaters will hand out a snack coupon to attendees who reserve seats, and Netflix has made it clear it won’t take box-office revenue from these events. The theatrical screenings are positioned as fan experiences rather than a traditional commercial release — a celebratory complement to the episode’s streaming debut.
Where this fits in Stranger Things’ journey
Stranger Things has been Netflix’s cultural juggernaut since its 2016 debut. Season 4 alone logged an impressive 140.7 million views, and in the run-up to season 5, all four earlier seasons resurfaced on Netflix’s most-watched lists — an uncommon achievement that underlines the series’ enduring popularity. Part two of season 5 will arrive on December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day), with the final installment following as a third part on December 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve).
This hybrid release strategy marks a subtle shift for Netflix. The streamer previously suggested the finale would be streaming-only, but reversed course after announcing theatrical screenings in October alongside the Duffer Brothers. The creators have since signed a new multi-year deal with Paramount to develop films after their Netflix era — a reminder of how television creators are increasingly moving fluidly between platforms and theatrical projects.
Context and comparisons
Bringing a TV finale to selected cinemas evokes past moments when streaming giants experimented with theatrical tie-ins: limited theatrical windows for prestige series or event screenings (and Netflix’s own recent success with a sing-along theatrical edition of the animated K-pop Demon Hunters). The Stranger Things finale’s runtime and cinematic presentation nod to the epic scope the Duffer Brothers have cultivated, reminiscent of finales that treated TV endings like cinematic conclusions.
"The decision to present the finale both at home and in theaters elevates the event status of the show," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "It acknowledges Stranger Things’ cultural weight while giving fans a shared, communal way to close this chapter. The runtime suggests the creators are going for scale and finality."
Beyond the runtime and screenings, the move is a cultural moment for fans who have followed the Hawkins saga for nearly a decade. Whether watched at home or in a packed theater, the finale promises to be an occasion — a final page turn for one of streaming’s most influential series.
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