2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Stranger Things leaving Netflix? Maker Matt and Ross Duffer in talks for massive Paramount deal
In Hollywood, deals shift faster than you can say 'Upside Down.' Matt and Ross Duffer, the brains behind Stranger Things, are in advanced negotiations for an exclusive film and TV deal at Paramount. The move would reunite them with Cindy Holland, the executive who originally greenlit their Netflix hit, while also connecting them to Paramount film chiefs Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg.
Stranger Things still on Netflix?
Despite the Paramount talks, Netflix is far from losing the Duffers. Their production company, Upside Down Pictures, still has multiple projects on the streaming platform. This includes the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, slated to premiere in November 2025, as well as two new 2026 series: the adventure-packed The Boroughs and the relationship horror drama Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Even an animated prequel, Stranger Things: Tales From '85, has already screened at the 2025 Annecy Festival.
From struggling filmmakers to pop culture giants
Before hitting gold, the Duffers' careers almost stalled. Warner Bros. delayed their debut feature Hidden, dumping it straight to VOD, while their pilot script for Stranger Things was rejected by almost every network. Their breakthrough came when Shawn Levy's 21 Laps recognised their potential, selling the show to Netflix. Since its 2016 debut, Stranger Things has become Netflix's first big homegrown hit, with season four becoming the platform's most-watched English-language series.
Paramount Deal: What it really means
The Paramount deal is expected to focus on tentpole films and new series, not on existing Stranger Things seasons. It offers the Duffers a massive creative playground, but it doesn't cancel their Netflix commitments. Fans can expect Netflix exclusives to continue while new projects under Paramount will explore different worlds and genres.
The upside down future
While speculation swirls about a 'Netflix exit,' the reality is more nuanced. The Duffers are expanding their creative empire, juggling Netflix hits with bold new ventures at Paramount. For fans, the Stranger Things universe is safe, but the Duffers' imagination is officially unbound.
