The conclusion of Stranger Things did not just put an end to the story of Eleven and Hawkins. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter behind the scenes, just as Netflix faces the most important question for the future of one of its most profitable franchises: what will happen to the universe created by Matt and Ross Duffer now that they no longer work for the platform.
The Duffer brothers signed an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount in 2025, effective since April of this year, when their contract with Netflix expired. Joining them is Shawn Levy, a producer and director linked to the series since its inception through his company 21 Laps, who has signed with 20th Television, Disney's television division.
Faced with this scenario, Ted Sarandos, Netflix's co-CEO and chief content officer, has stepped forward to clarify how this departure will affect the future of the franchise.
Netflix understands the Duffer brothers’ decision
As Sarandos explained, the creators of Stranger Things were not looking to break with Netflix, but rather to change professional direction after nearly a decade dedicated almost exclusively to the series.
The Duffers showed interest in developing film projects intended for theatrical release, something that did not fit with Netflix's model. Sarandos claims he even encouraged them to explore that path before they could eventually wonder what might have happened if they hadn't tried.
That interpretation frames the departure as a professional evolution rather than a traumatic break, at least according to the platform's official narrative.
Stranger Things remains Netflix property
The key takeaway from Sarandos' statements is that Netflix fully retains the rights to Stranger Things. The Duffers' move to Paramount does not imply that the intellectual property is moving with them, nor that the universe will end after the fifth season.
The series, which premiered in 2016, became a central piece of Netflix's international identity during the consolidation of streaming. Elements like Hawkins, the Upside Down, Eleven, or Vecna are part of the popular imagination even among those who did not follow the series regularly, which explains why abandoning that universe was never a realistic option for the platform.
The Duffers will remain linked to some spin-off projects
Despite now working for Paramount, the Duffer brothers will maintain some involvement in the Stranger Things spin-off projects that began development while they were still at Netflix.
Among them is Stranger Things: Tales From '85, an animated series that will expand the universe from a different perspective, and a live-action spin-off whose details remain unconfirmed.
This scenario allows Netflix to continue expanding the franchise while its original creators maintain a supervisory role, even if they are no longer part of the studio's exclusive structure. In the long term, the platform will have to prove that the universe can sustain itself without depending on them.
Tales From ’85, the first major test
The animated series will be the first real test of this transition. Its format allows for exploring Hawkins without the age limitations of a cast that has grown up in front of the cameras for nearly a decade, and its temporal setting prior to the final stretch of the main story opens the door to bringing back familiar characters and settings.
The real challenge will come with the live-action spin-off, which will have to answer a more complex question: what does a Stranger Things story mean when it doesn't revolve around the group of characters that turned the series into a global phenomenon.
Shawn Levy also changes studios, but does not break with Netflix
Levy, who directed several episodes throughout the five seasons, has signed with 20th Television after years of collaboration with Netflix. He is currently working on Star Wars: Starfighter, a film starring Ryan Gosling scheduled for release on May 28, 2027.
Sarandos went so far as to say that he hopes Levy continues making Star Wars films for a long time, although it is worth clarifying that Lucasfilm has not officially confirmed new projects from the director beyond Starfighter. This is a personal expectation of Sarandos, not an official announcement.
Netflix also maintains projects in development with Levy, such as the hockey drama Sticks, which indicates that his new chapter at Disney does not completely close his relationship with the platform.
A delicate phase for the franchise
With the conclusion of the main story in the fifth season, Netflix faces the typical challenge of any major franchise: continuing to grow without losing the essence that made it special.
Stranger Things has the potential to expand into animation, live-action, video games, or in-person experiences, but a poorly calculated expansion could saturate the brand. The continued involvement of the Duffers in some projects may help in this transition, although Netflix will also have to bet on new creative voices if it wants the universe to endure beyond its founders.
The end of the series is not the end of the universe
Sarandos' statements clear up the main doubt for fans: Netflix does not consider the Stranger Things chapter closed despite the end of the series and the departure of its creators to other studios.
With Tales From '85 underway, a live-action spin-off in development, and the Duffers themselves still linked to part of the project, the question is no longer whether there will be more Stranger Things content, but what form the franchise will take from now on.
Frequently asked questions
Will Stranger Things continue to produce content after its fifth season?
Yes. Netflix has confirmed that it retains the intellectual property and plans to continue expanding the universe with new projects.
Why did the Duffer brothers leave Netflix?
They wanted to focus on film projects intended for movie theaters, which prompted their exclusive four-year deal with Paramount, effective since April of this year.
Will the Duffers remain related to Stranger Things?
Yes, they will maintain some involvement in spin-off projects that were already in development before their departure, such as the animated series Tales From '85 and a live-action spin-off.
What relationship does Shawn Levy maintain with Netflix after signing with Disney?
Despite his deal with 20th Television, Levy still has projects in development with Netflix, such as the hockey drama Sticks.
What is Stranger Things: Tales From ’85?
It is an animated series set before the final stretch of the main story, conceived to expand the Stranger Things universe with new narratives.
Has Netflix confirmed more Star Wars films for Shawn Levy?
No. Lucasfilm has not officially announced additional projects beyond Star Wars: Starfighter, so Ted Sarandos' statements reflect a personal expectation, not an official confirmation.
