STRANGER THINGS Season 5 Finale Won’t Hit Theaters - “Releasing it on Netflix is Giving the Fans What They Want”

The long-awaited Stranger Things Seasoin 5 finale won’t be heading to the big screen after all. Despite the epic conclusion reportedly running “around two hours,” Netflix has decided that the final episode of the hit sci-fi series will remain a streaming exclusive.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria confirmed the decision in a recent interview with Variety, saying that keeping the finale on the platform is exactly what fans want.

“A lot of people – a lot, a lot, a lot of people – have watched Stranger Things on Netflix. It has not suffered from lack of conversation or community or sharing or fandom. I think releasing it on Netflix is giving the fans what they want.”

That may be true, but co-creator Matt Duffer admitted he wouldn’t have minded seeing the finale get the full cinematic treatment.

“People don’t get to experience how much time and effort is spent on sound and picture, and they’re seeing it at reduced quality. More than that, it’s about experiencing it at the same time with fans.”

The Duffers have made no secret of their love for theatrical storytelling, and it’s one of the reasons they’re stepping away from Netflix after Stranger Things wraps up.

The duo recently signed a deal with Paramount, which opens the door for them to create projects made specifically for theaters.

“I don’t want to get into the specifics of it, but I will say the biggest draw to us was just to be able to do something theatrical, which is not something Netflix does.”

While fans might not be getting a theatrical experience, they can still look forward to an epic final chapter featuring returning stars Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Sadie Sink, Winona Ryder, and David Harbour. The final season will also introduce Linda Hamilton, who’s joining the cast in an undisclosed role.

Stranger Things Season 5 will arrive on Netflix in three parts: Volume 1 on November 26, followed by additional episodes on December 25 and December 31.

So while the great Season 5 finale won’t light up theater screens, it’s safe to say fans will still be glued to their TVs ready to say goodbye to Hawkins and the characters they’ve grown to love.