What does the Duffer brothers leaving Netflix mean for the future of Stranger Things?

Stranger Things creators the Duffer brothers have just signed an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount, so here’s what that means for the future of the beloved Netflix show.

In potentially seismic Hollywood news, the brothers behind Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things are leaving the streamer so they can set up shop at Paramount Pictures.

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer have signed an exclusive four-year deal to make movies, TV, and streaming shows at the studio, with the brothers saying in a statement: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the Paramount family… we can’t wait to create new stories together.”

But where does that leave the series that made their name? Here’s what we know about the future of Stranger Things, as well as the Duffers’ involvement in other forthcoming Netflix shows.

The Duffer brothers will “continue collaborating” on Stranger Things

Netflix

The concluding season of Stranger Things drops in November and December, and will be followed by animated spinoffs Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, and a live-action anthology show with separate stories connected to the Upside Down.

The Duffer Brothers are also producing sci-fi series The Boroughs at Netflix, and executive producing horror series something Something Very Bad is Going to Happen for the streamer.

According to the statement from Matt and Ross, they will still be involved with those new productions through their ‘Upside Down Pictures’ banner, as well as future Stranger Things projects.

“Our time at Netflix has been incredible… a decade in, they are family,” say the Duffers. “We’re excited to continue collaborating – not only on the upcoming release of Stranger Things 5, but also on shows we’re deeply proud to be producing, including Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen and The Boroughs.

Upside Down Pictures/Instagram

“And we look forward to building out the future of Stranger Things together – there are many more stories to tell beyond Hawkins, and we can’t wait to share them.”

The deal doesn’t come into play until April 2026, which means the brothers have eight months to continue overseeing those aforementioned projects, which are in various states of production.

Stranger Things 5 is pretty much in the can, with Part 1 dropping on 26 November, 2025, while footage from the animated show screened at the Annecy Animation Festival in June, in advance of a 2026 release.

As for those standalone shows, The Boroughs – about an otherworldly threat descending on a retirement community – commenced principal photography in September 2024, with a cast that includes Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, and Alfred Molina.

Upside Down Pictures/Instagram

Meanwhile Something Very Bad is Going to Happen – about a doomed wedding – kicked off in January of 2025, with Camila Morrone, Adam DiMarco, and Jennifer Jason Leigh starring.

So that’s the state of play at present, but with Paramount movies and shows very much on the Duffers’ minds from April 2026, it remains to be seen just how involved they are in the future of Stranger Things, especially that live-action anthology that’s in the very early stages of development.

For more Stranger Things action, here’s who we think will die in Season 5, plus details of the first peak at Vecna’s terrifying final form. While you can also check out our list of best Netflix thrillers.