The Duffer Brothers, the creators behind Netflix’s Stranger Things, have confirmed that their storytelling style with long gaps between seasons will carry over to their upcoming projects at Paramount. Speaking at Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit, Matt and Ross Duffer outlined their creative direction under a new four-year exclusive deal with Paramount Global, set to begin in 2026 (via Variety). Matt Duffer said,
If TV shows come out every year, it’s a diminishing return. I like the buildup.
This strategy follows their work on Stranger Things, where years-long waits between seasons became the norm. The final season will premiere in three parts: Part I on Thanksgiving, Part II on Christmas Eve, and the finale on New Year’s Eve.
The Duffer Brothers’ Paramount Deal Is Movie-Focused
The Duffers’ next chapter is centered on original theatrical movies. Under the new four-year deal, their production company, Upside Down Pictures, will develop both movies and television projects exclusively for Paramount. Ross Duffer said,
When Matt and I were talking about what we want to do next, it really came down to we wanted to do a movie, specifically an original movie— a big original film. And theatrical is so important to us.
The brothers revealed they didn’t actively seek a new studio. Paramount approached them with the opportunity to bring their cinematic vision to theaters, something they’ve dreamed of since childhood.
While open to using existing intellectual property, the Duffers made it clear that they won’t jump into just any franchise. They also mentioned they prefer eight-to-10 episode seasons with high production value, much like Stranger Things. Matt said,
I get fatigued watching 20-episode seasons. We didn’t grow up interested in any of that. We only watched. That’s the weird thing, we ended up in TV, because we had almost zero interest in television.
Despite comparisons to prolific studios like Bad Robot, the Duffers insist they won’t build a massive production pipeline.
The Duffer Brothers Still Working With Netflix on Two New Series
Although they’re moving to Paramount from Netflix in 2026, the Duffers are still developing two new series for Netflix: The Boroughs and Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. Both are scheduled to debut in 2026. The brothers also revealed that they even got the release dates of Very Bad Is Going to Happen.
They’re also producing Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an animated spin-off inspired by classic Saturday morning cartoons. Additionally, a live-action Stranger Things spin-off is in development, though the Duffers are not serving as showrunners.
The Duffer Brothers are sticking with what they know best, cinematic storytelling and long build-ups between releases. Their move to Paramount won’t change that.
Are fans ready to wait even longer for bigger Duffer Brothers content? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Stranger Things Season 5 Part I arrives on November 26, Part 2 on December 25, and the finale on December 31, 2025, on Netflix (US).
