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Stranger Things’ Finale Draws $25–$28 Million in Theatrical Concessions

The concession-voucher experiment gave theaters a rare holiday boost without signaling a broader Netflix pivot.

Overview

  • Roughly 620 North American locations hosted the New Year’s screenings using concession vouchers to reserve seats because cast residual terms prevented traditional ticket sales.
  • AMC, representing about one-third of venues, reported $15 million from more than 753,000 attendees, while creators Matt and Ross Duffer cited about 1.1 million reservations nationwide.
  • Chains varied pricing and bundles—AMC charged $20 vouchers—helping drive an estimated $25–$28 million in concession revenue that flowed to exhibitors.
  • Exhibitors and analysts pointed to the turnout as a proof-of-concept for event-style showings that can lift late-year traffic after a soft 2025 box office.
  • Despite the strong turnout, reporting indicates Netflix has not shifted its theatrical stance, with unconfirmed talk of a 17-day window opposed by major chains, and AMC says discussions continue on future collaborations.