Netflix may soon lose two of its most valuable creators. Reports indicate that Matt and Ross Duffer, the minds behind Stranger Things, are finalizing an exclusive deal with Paramount, now under David Ellison’s Skydance.
The Duffers’ interest in blockbuster filmmaking appears to be the driving factor, with Paramount offering a stronger theatrical pipeline. While Netflix has resisted long exclusive theatrical windows, the brothers reportedly saw the “theatrical component” as a dealbreaker.
Related: Spotlight on Creators Transforming Industries with Progressive Content and Ideas
Their departure won’t immediately affect Netflix’s lineup: the final season of Stranger Things will stream later this year in three parts, with more Duffers-produced shows slated for 2026. Meanwhile, the franchise continues to expand with a Broadway prequel, an animated series, and a live-action spinoff.
