'Stranger Things' finale turns box office downside up pulling in an estimated $25 million

The finale of Netflix’s blockbuster bid “Stranger Things” gave movie theaters a overmuch needed jolt, generating an estimated $20 to $25 cardinal astatine the container office, according to aggregate reports.

Matt and Ross Duffer’s supernatural thriller debuted simultaneously connected the streaming level and immoderate 600 cinemas connected New Year’s Eve and held encore showings each done New Year’s Day.

Owing to the cast’s contractual presumption for residuals, theaters could not complaint for tickets. Instead, fans reserved seats for performances straight from theaters, paying for mandatory nutrient and beverage vouchers. AMC and Cinemark Theatres charged $20 for the concession vouchers portion Regal Cinemas charged $11 — successful homage to the show’s pb character, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.

AMC Theatres, the world’s largest theatre chain, played the finale astatine 231 of its theaters crossed the U.S. — which accounted for one-third of each theaters that held screenings implicit the holiday.

The concatenation said that much than 753,000 viewers attended a show astatine 1 of its cinemas implicit 2 days, bringing successful much than $15 million.

Expectations for the theatre showing was high.

“Our twelvemonth ends connected a high: Netflix’s Strangers Things bid finale to amusement successful galore AMC theatres this week. Two days lone New Year’s Eve and Jan 1.,” tweeted AMC’s CEO Adam Aron connected Dec. 30. “Theatres are packed. Many sellouts but seats inactive available. How galore Stranger Things tickets bash you deliberation AMC volition sell?”

It was a uncommon triumph for the lagging home container office.

In 2025, gross successful the U.S. and Canada was expected to scope $8.87 billion, which was marginally amended than 2024 and lone 20% much than pre-pandemic levels, according to movie information steadfast Comscore.

With fewer exceptions, moviegoers person stayed home. As of Dec. 25., lone an estimated 760 cardinal tickets were sold, according to media and amusement information steadfast EntTelligence, compared with 2024, during which full summons income exceeded 800 million.