1.1 Million People Have RSVP’d to Watch the Final Episode of the Netflix Sci-fi Series in Theaters on New Year’s Eve

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The Stranger Things 5 finale is set to make history as Netflix experiments with theatrical releases, drawing over a million viewers across thousands of full shows. Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 could not fulfill the expectations, but its final episode 8 is shaping up to be a major theatrical event. 

Stranger Things 5 Finale Shows Housefull

Netflix has announced that it will release the finale of its blockbuster sci-fi show in select cinema halls in the US and Canada. According to Ross Duffer, one half of creators Duffer Brothers, the final battle between Hawkins and Vecna is heading to become a huge cinematic experience. 

Ross revealed that 1.1 million people have sent RSVP to watch episode 8 in theaters on New Year's Eve. Stranger Things will release its last installment, The Rightside Up on December 31, 2026 (January 1, 2026 in India).

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Ross Duffer took to his Instagram account and revealed the statistics, along with info that 3,500 showtimes across more than 620 theaters are completely sold out. 

Ross wrote in his Instagram, "Over 1.1 million of you have already RSVPed to the finale screenings on NYE and New Year’s Day, and more than 3,500 showtimes across 620+ theaters are already completely full. What a way to close out a ten-year journey—together. Maybe we’ll see some of you in LA."

Stranger Things 5 Release

Netflix has planned the release of Stranger Things Season 5 in three parts. While its Volume 1 premiered the first four episodes on Thanksgiving Day, its Volume 2 followed with the next three episodes on Christmas Day.  Indian fans had expressed disappointment with Netflix for releasing Stranger Things 5 episode 8 only in a few theatres

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What Did Creators Reveal about Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2?

The Stranger Things Volume 2 teaser dropped earlier this month. It has left the viewers worried about fan-favorite character Steve Harrington. Is he going to die in the final season? The show's creators, the Duffer Brothers, said, "It's gonna be a long six-day wait for the finale," following the release of Volume 2.

“At the end of the day, what people care about are the characters. Ross and I also love monsters and action. You do try to do both,” said Matt Duffer about balancing the sci-fi with the humanity of the beloved ensemble in the end. 

“The sweet spot for us, that I always reference, is the ‘Dear Billy’ episode, where you have two things climaxing at the same time. You’re having this visual effects spectacle reaching a crescendo at the same time that Max’s character is reaching an emotional crescendo. If you can have those two collide simultaneously, that’s the ultimate,” Duffer added.

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Final Thoughts

Stranger Things season 5 volume 1 is streaming now on Netflix. Along with the theatrical release, the series finale will simultaneously release on the OTT platform on the same day. The fifth season of this famous series will run at just over 10 hours. 

Netflix previously announced that Stranger Things' send-off would be 125 minutes. However, the conclusion (Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up) will be 2 hours and 8 minutes long, confirmed by the makers.