Netflix has changed its mind about the conclusion of ‘Stranger Things.’ Despite previously confirming that the series finale would not hit theaters, the streamer announced Thursday that the feature-length final episode will indeed receive a big-screen release.

The finale of season five will screen in more than 350 theaters across the U.S. and Canada starting December 31 at 5 p.m. PT, coinciding with its global debut on Netflix and will continue through January 1, 2026.

The Duffer Brothers commented: “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.”

The announcement marks a significant reversal. Earlier this month, both the Duffer Brothers and Netflix’s chief creative officer Bela Bajaria told Variety that there were no plans for a theatrical release.

The news arrives shortly after the Duffer Brothers signed a four-year exclusive deal with Paramount to develop feature films once their Netflix contract expires next year — a move widely viewed as a creative loss for Netflix.

The decision also follows Netflix’s successful theatrical run of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ as a sing-along event in August. If it worked for that animated title, it seems Netflix’s flagship series deserves no less.

Details on how to attend the screenings, including participating theater locations, will be announced later this year.

Season five of ‘Stranger Things’ will be released in three parts, each aligning with major U.S. holidays: the first four episodes drop November 26 during Thanksgiving week, three more arrive on December 24 for Christmas, and the single-episode finale debuts New Year’s Eve.

Created by Matt and Ross Duffer, ‘Stranger Things’ premiered in 2016 and quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched series, with its fourth season alone drawing over 140.7 million global views.

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