The finale of Stranger Things achieved substantial success, generating approximately $25 million-$30 million in concession sales during its one-day release on New Year’s Eve across 620 screenings in North America. This performance has positioned the episode as Netflix's highest-grossing theatrical release for 2025, surpassing KPop Demon Hunters.
AMC theaters reported that over half of the audience for the finale chose to view it at their locations, marking a significant win for the chain, which did not screen the previous KPop film. Despite this success, Netflix remains hesitant about fully embracing theatrical releases, with reports indicating a potential 17-day window for future film showings, significantly shorter than the 45-day standard typically observed by other studios like Warner Bros.
This development raises concerns among exhibitors who advocate for longer theatrical runs, viewing Netflix's strategy as potentially detrimental to the cinema industry. Currently, Netflix has not announced any specific plans regarding its acquisition of Warner Bros., maintaining a business-as-usual approach as of December.