The end of Stranger Things is nearly upon us. And this time, the hit Netflix show will do something the streamer has never done before: debut one of its most important shows on the big screen. While Netflix movies have had limited theatrical releases (like Glass Onion, or the current run of the new Frankenstein), a big Netflix show has never hit theaters like this. This is a historic switch for Netflix!
So, the big release schedule for the finale of Stranger Things will happen both online and in theaters. Here’s what that means and how to watch.
Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Theatrical Release Will Happen Just Before the Netflix Release
As revealed by Variety, on December 31, 2025, Netflix will air the two-hour finale of Stranger Things, an episode called “The Rightside Up,” in select theaters at 5 p.m. Pacific Time and 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This will be slightly before this two-hour finale hits Netflix on New Year’s Day, 2026.
It was previously reported that Netflix would not release the Stranger Things finale in theaters, making this news something of a reversal.
Stranger Things Season 5 Streaming Schedule
While “The Rightside Up” represents the finale of the entire series, all of Stranger Things Season 5 will precede it. Here’s how Stranger Things Season 5 will be broken up in release blocks on Netflix:
- November 26: Episodes 1-4
- December 25: Episodes 5-7
- January 1, 2026: The two-hour finale.
Netflix shows tend to start streaming at 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the date of release. So, that means on New Year’s Eve, at midnight on the West Coast, the finale will be on Netflix, a few hours after several fans have seen it on the big screen.
