It’s official: Matt and Ross Duffer—the creative duo behind Stranger Things—are leaving Netflix. By the time Hawkins bids farewell in the fifth and final season of the show later this year, the brothers will be setting up shop at Paramount, aiming to trade streaming screens for blockbuster-sized movie theaters.
The news, first reported by journalist Matt Belloni, confirms what industry insiders had been whispering for weeks: the Duffers are ready to take their talents to the big screen. Sources close to the duo say the move comes down to one simple reason—Netflix isn’t exactly in the business of wide theatrical releases. While the streamer occasionally allows a movie into theaters, that’s usually reserved for Oscar-worthy films, projects by A-list directors, or shows that generate a pre-release frenzy. For Matt and Ross, whose only theatrical release so far is the 2015 psychological thriller Hidden, Paramount’s film infrastructure offers the cinematic playground they’ve been craving.
Netflix Isn’t Going Anywhere… For Now
Despite the big move, the Duffers aren’t cutting ties with Netflix completely. Through their production company, Upside Down Productions, they still have multiple projects lined up. That includes Tales from ’85, an animated Stranger Things prequel slated for 2026, and another yet-to-be-announced spinoff. On top of that, the duo is executive producing two new series: The Boroughs and Something Very Bad is Going to Happen, both expected to debut in 2026.
So while Paramount will be their new playground for tentpole films, Netflix fans aren’t losing the Duffer touch anytime soon.
Stranger Things Season 5: The Final Ride
Of course, all eyes remain on Hawkins as Stranger Things hurtles toward its epic conclusion. Season 5 drops in three waves: Volume 1 on November 26, Volume 2 on December 25, and the grand finale on New Year’s Eve, with each episode rolling out at 5 p.m. PT.
Set in the fall of 1987, the new season picks up after the chaos of Season 4. Hawkins is still reeling from the opening of the Rifts, and the heroes have a single mission: find and kill Vecna. But the villain has vanished, leaving the town under military quarantine and Eleven in hiding. The stakes are higher than ever. As Netflix’s official synopsis warns: “The final battle is looming—and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything they’ve faced before. To end this nightmare, they’ll need everyone—the full party—standing together, one last time.”
Episode titles for Season 5 include: “The Crawl,” “The Vanishing of…,” “The Turnbow Trap,” “Sorcerer,” “Shock Jock,” “Escape from Camazotz,” “The Bridge,” and “The Rightside Up.”
Behind the Scenes: Duffers Speak Out
The Duffers have never been shy about their creative process. In a May interview with Netflix’s Tudum, they talked about a 25-page “mythology document” they put together during the first season to map out the lore of the Upside Down. Ross Duffer explained, “The last remaining questions that are answered in that document, we’ve punted a couple of those to have some big reveals in Season 5. That’s really going to affect what Season 5 is about.”
As production wrapped in December 2024, cast members shared emotional farewells. Ross posted on Instagram, saying, “Everyone involved was determined to bring this story to a satisfying conclusion. They poured their hearts and souls into it, and we couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished.”
Stranger Things Expands Beyond Netflix
Even as the series ends, the Stranger Things universe continues to grow. The official Broadway production, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, opened on April 22, 2025, following rave reviews from its 2023 West End debut, where it won Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment and Best Set Design. Set in Hawkins in 1959, the play explores younger versions of key characters and was documented in a Netflix behind-the-scenes special.
Fans also have Tales from ’85 to look forward to, which promises to dig deeper into Hawkins’ past and expand the storytelling the Duffers have perfected over the past nine years.
A New Chapter at Paramount
Paramount represents the next evolution for Matt and Ross Duffer. Known for their mastery of suspense, nostalgia, and supernatural thrills, the brothers now have the resources to tackle large-scale tentpole films for a global audience. According to Variety, their future output at Paramount will focus on big-budget projects, giving them the freedom to create original IPs that combine cinematic spectacle with the emotional depth fans have come to expect.
Leaving a Legacy Behind
Netflix will feel the impact of the Duffers’ departure, but their imprint on streaming television is indelible. Stranger Things has become a cultural touchstone since its 2016 premiere, influencing fashion, music, and pop culture at large. Its mix of 1980s nostalgia, supernatural horror, and heartfelt friendships has made it one of the platform’s defining hits.
As Hawkins prepares for its final showdown, one thing is clear: Matt and Ross Duffer aren’t slowing down. Whether through Paramount’s theaters or upcoming Netflix spinoffs, the duo’s storytelling is poised to thrill audiences for years to come.
