Stranger Things World: How Netflix’s Biggest IP Could Take Over Universal Studios GB
Stranger Things has officially concluded its run on Netflix with the release of Season 5, which brings the live-action series to an end after nearly a decade.
The final season closed the chapter on Hawkins, the Upside Down, and all the characters, with an epic finale that premiered on December 31 (New Year’s Eve) and marked the end of the show in its original form, cementing it as Netflix’s most successful original property.
While the IP is set to continue across media, just as it has done since its inception in 2016 (comics, tie-in novels, video games, stage plays), this time venturing into animated TV territory (there’s also a live-action spinoff in the works), we’ve yet to see it in the theme park setting. The closest the franchise has come are frequent appearances at Universal Studios’ annual Halloween Horror Nights and other immersive walkthrough experiences.
But could Stranger Things soon find a more permanent fixture at Universal Studios?
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Universal Studios Great Britain, set to open in Bedfordshire in 2031, has not announced any attractions or themed lands yet. Rumored properties, however, include James Bond, Paddington, Jurassic World, and The Lord of the Rings. Stranger Things is not rumored, reported, or suggested to be part of the project, but could it emerge at the new resort?
A Stranger Things-themed attraction could focus on enclosed environments as well as large outdoor rides, drawing on iconic locations such as Hawkins and the Upside Down. A roller coaster that plunges guests into the Upside Down where they must survive Demogorgons and pass through Henry Creel’s house and Vecna’s Lair? Count us in. Character encounters including Eleven and Hawkins Lab employees could even work.
Attractions or lands based on Stranger Things wouldn’t even need to replicate the main series. An animated aesthetic, drawing upon the upcoming series Tales From ’85, could offer a more vibrant look for guests. Although with that said, just like the Harry Potter films are the most universally recognized part of the wizarding world, the live-action Stranger Things series is the true core of that franchise, and, undoubtedly, always will be.
Currently, Stranger Things has no connection to Universal Studios Great Britain. However, following the conclusion of the hit Netflix show, it now exists as a broader franchise rather than an ongoing television series. Later this year, Netflix will release Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, a 3D animated series set between seasons 2 and 3, with a new cast of voice actors portraying the show’s characters, such as Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will.
The project reflects Netflix’s continued interest in extending the brand beyond live action, so here’s hoping that a Stranger Things-themed land isn’t entirely out of the question. The series is also no stranger to the UK, having debuted the stage play The First Shadow in the West End in 2023, as well as a temporary interactive walkthrough experience.
Where Can I Watch Stranger Things?
Stranger Things seasons 1-5 are now streaming on Netflix.
Stranger Things Season 5 stars Gaten Matarazzo (Dustin Henderson), Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), Finn Wolfhard (Mike Wheeler), Noah Schnapp (Will Byers), Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven), Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Brett Gelman (Murray Bauman), Nell Fisher (Holly Wheeler), Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair), Sadie Sink (Max Mayfield), Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna/Henry Creel), Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).
Would you like to see Stranger Things get an attraction and/or themed land at Universal Studios? Share your ideas with us in the comments down below!
