‘Stranger Things’ 5 finale draws 1.1 million theater RSVPs

The series finale of Stranger Things 5 is shaping up to be a historic event for both fans and Netflix, with co-creator Ross Duffer revealing that over 1.1 million people have RSVP’d to watch the final episode in theaters on New Year’s Eve. According to Duffer’s Instagram post, 3,500 showtimes across more than 620 theaters have already sold out, demonstrating the incredible anticipation surrounding the conclusion of the beloved sci-fi series.

The two-volume season, which premiered with four episodes on Thanksgiving Day and followed with three more on Christmas Day, will see its finale released concurrently in theaters and on Netflix on December 31. Duffer teased that he and his brother Matt Duffer might attend a few screenings, writing, “What a way to close out a ten-year journey, together. Maybe we’ll see some of you in LA.”

Stranger Things has been a major force in entertainment over the past decade, with the show recently surpassing 1.2 billion views and contributing over $1.4 billion to the U.S. economy. Season 4 remains Netflix’s second most popular English-language series of all time, and Season 5 achieved the platform’s biggest opening week ever for an English-language show after its first volume debuted. These figures suggest the finale will cement the series’ place as one of Netflix’s most significant cultural phenomena.

The show is executive produced by the Duffers under their Upside Down Pictures banner, alongside Shawn Levy of 21 Laps Entertainment and Dan Cohen. Fans across the globe have been sharing their excitement on social media, with many noting that the theatrical screenings provide a rare opportunity to experience the show on the big screen and celebrate its ten-year run with fellow fans.

With the finale drawing such a massive audience and selling out thousands of showtimes, it is clear that Stranger Things remains a defining series of the decade.