Stranger Things series finale earns over $25M in theaters

Netflix’s Stranger Things finale earns over $25M in theaters as fans flock to cinemas to say goodbye

Netflix’s Stranger Things proved its theatrical draw as the series finale generated more than $25 million at the domestic box office during a limited run in movie theaters over the New Year’s holiday.

According to sources cited by Variety, theaters earned between $25 million and $28 million by screening the show’s two-hour finale, which debuted on New Year’s Eve.

Exact totals remain difficult to calculate due to varied ticketing models across cinema chains. Some exhibitors, including AMC and Cinemark, charged $20 for admission bundled with concession vouchers, while Regal Cinemas and others opted for an $11 price point—a nod to the show’s iconic character Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.

Earlier this week, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that 1.1 million vouchers were sold nationwide. AMC alone reported generating $15 million from more than 753,000 guests who purchased food and beverage credits, with the chain accounting for slightly over one-third of participating theaters. Netflix declined to comment on the final revenue figures.

The strong turnout offered a welcome boost for exhibitors during a holiday season that has outperformed expectations following a challenging year for the box office. Domestic ticket sales in 2025 reached approximately $8.9 billion, still well below pre-pandemic highs but supported by late-year successes including Avatar: Fire and Ash and other major releases.

The theatrical success of Stranger Things is notable given Netflix’s historically complex relationship with cinema chains, many of which have resisted screening the streamer’s content due to shortened release windows. However, AMC CEO Adam Aron suggested this may mark a shift, confirming that discussions are already underway to bring more Netflix programming to the big screen.

As one of Netflix’s most-watched series, Stranger Things closed its five-season run by demonstrating that even streaming-first content can still draw audiences to theaters when the event feels big enough.