Netflix never disappoints when sending off its greatest masterpieces, one last time. As Stranger Things heads towards its final battle, the farewell that Hawkins and the Upside Down deserve must be grand enough to shake up the theaters.  

For those holding their breath to see their beloved characters battling for life, and an era coming to an end, a visual epic awaits. Stranger Things' grand finale is poised to be a cinematic goodbye with sound amplified and the fan community coming together in person.

But the question is, will only theaters across the country screen the final episode?

The first episode of the final season will be released at the same time on Netflix and in theaters all across the US and Canada in 500 locations. Bid adieu to Netflix's sci-fi magnum opus in theaters, but also from the comfort of home.

The first show timings are on December 31, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM PT and 8:00 PM ET, and continuing into January 1, 2026, making the grand finale one of Netflix's biggest theatrical events.  

In addition to being a great way to enjoy the finale, the fan screenings come with special tickets. In many theaters, guests are given concession vouchers at $11, seemingly a nostalgic nod to the show’s main character Eleven. Tickets for the Stranger Things finale are available through Fandango, AMC, and ST5Finale.com.

According to Tudum, the theatrical release has been a dream for the show's creators, the Duffer Brothers. They shared their excitement with the outlet, calling the theatrical release, "the perfect — dare we say b----in’ — way to celebrate the end of this adventure." Expect more than just a movie, as it promises an unforgettable fan experience like never before.

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Stranger Things aficionados are in for a lifetime treat as Netflix has vowed to make the send-off outstanding.

Stranger Things' finale packs in an extended runtime of  2 hours and 5 minutes. This allows them to conclude character arcs, unravel decade-old secrets, and send off the leads of this global cultural phenomenon in a grand manner. 

While all the previous episodes ranged from  55 to 87 minutes, this marks the longest episode in the show's history. And the best, lucky fans might even get to enjoy the experience with the show's creators themselves.

Matt Duffer told The Hollywood Reporter, "We get to sneak into a theater and watch it with the fans," one last time, when asked why he was excited for the theatrical release of the finale. However, the universe is not coming to an end as the curtains close. 

As Hawkins' history concludes with The Rightside Up finale episode, talk of spin-offs and rumors of a documentary permeate the air. For a lot of fans, this prolonged experience of living in the Stranger Things Universe might even be a little better than saying goodbye forever. For now, the critical choice to make is whether one wants a theatre experience or to watch the Stranger Things finale at home.

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