The finale of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” gave movie theaters a surprising boost, bringing in around $20 to $25 million at the box office. This special event took place on New Year’s Eve, with the episode showing in over 600 theaters alongside its streaming release.
The unique setup allowed fans to reserve seats at the cinemas, but theaters couldn’t charge regular ticket prices due to the actors’ contracts. Instead, attendees paid for food and drink vouchers — $20 at AMC and Cinemark, and $11 at Regal, a nod to the show’s lead character, Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown.
AMC, the world’s largest theater chain, played the finale in 231 locations across the U.S., making up about one-third of the theaters that hosted these screenings. Over the two days, more than 753,000 viewers attended, contributing over $15 million in revenue.
This event marked a rare win for a struggling domestic box office. In 2025, experts predict that revenue for theaters in the U.S. and Canada will reach $8.87 billion. This is a slight improvement compared to 2024, but still only about 20% more than pre-pandemic levels, according to data from Comscore.
Despite this, many moviegoers are still hesitant to return to theaters. As of December 25, only around 760 million tickets had been sold in 2024, while ticket sales surpassed 800 million in the previous year, according to EntTelligence. This decline shows a continuing trend where many audiences choose to stay home.
The excitement around “Stranger Things” reflects a growing trend in how streaming services influence traditional movie-going. As streaming platforms release blockbuster content, theaters are finding innovative ways to draw audiences back in. With viewers eager for communal experiences, special events like this one may become more common in the future.
As social media buzzed with enthusiasm during this premiere, the event was also a reminder of the changing landscape of entertainment. Movie theaters may need to embrace more interactive and event-like showings to engage audiences moving forward.
For further insights into the evolving movie industry, you can check out [Comscore’s report](https://www.comscore.com/) on box office trends.
