Duffer Brothers Sign Four-Year Deal With Paramount Starting 2026

The Duffer brothers, creators of Stranger Things, have signed a four-year exclusive deal with Paramount starting after their Netflix contract ends in April 2026. While they will transition to Paramount for ambitious large-scale theatrical films and new TV and streaming projects under their Upside Down Pictures label, they will remain involved with Stranger Things and related Netflix projects until their current deal concludes. Paramount aims to leverage the Duffers' storytelling to reinvigorate its cinematic identity, planning to release up to 20 films annually and supporting franchise development with substantial marketing efforts. The Duffers expressed excitement about fulfilling a lifelong dream to create bold, original films at a studio with a storied Hollywood legacy, and they are reuniting with key executives from their Netflix days now at Paramount. This deal represents Paramount's first major signing under CEO David Ellison and his team, signaling a strategy to become a top destination for talented filmmakers by embracing both theatrical and streaming content. The partnership reflects broader trends in the entertainment industry, balancing streaming success with ambitions for traditional big-screen storytelling.