Stranger Things Finale Lights Up Theaters
Record-Breaking Event
Theaters experienced a significant surge in revenue over the New Year's period, earning between $25 million and $28 million from screenings of the final episode of Stranger Things. This special event saw varying ticket prices across different theaters.
- AMC and Cinemark: Charged $20 per ticket, including a snack voucher.
- Regal: Offered tickets for $11, a nod to the character Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.
Netflix and AMC's Success
Netflix has not yet commented on the event. However, the Duffer Brothers previously announced that 1.1 million vouchers were sold. AMC alone made $15 million from over 753,000 attendees, who purchased food and drink credits. AMC held a substantial share of the total theater count.
A Year of Recovery
The news is a positive sign for theaters, which faced a challenging year. Domestic ticket sales reached $8.9 billion, a modest increase from 2024 but still far from the pre-COVID $11 billion. Despite this, 2025 saw some successful releases, including:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- The Housemaid
- Marty Supreme
The Legacy of "Stranger Things"
Stranger Things has been a cultural phenomenon, often compared to classic '80s films like The Goonies and E.T. The show concluded with a two-hour finale, which premiered on New Year's Eve.
Theaters and Netflix: A Complex Relationship
The relationship between theaters and Netflix remains complicated. Some theaters refuse to show Netflix movies due to unconventional release rules. Concerns have been raised about Netflix's potential acquisition of Warner Bros. and its impact on movie releases.
Future Collaborations
Adam Aron, CEO of AMC, hinted at more Netflix shows in theaters. He described the relationship between AMC and Netflix as smooth and indicated that discussions about future projects are already underway. This could pave the way for more Netflix content on the big screen.
