Matt and Ross Duffer, the creative duo behind Netflix’s cultural phenomenon Stranger Things, are officially making a blockbuster move. The brothers are leaving Netflix after years of chart-topping success to ink an exclusive four-year deal with Paramount, covering feature films, television, and streaming projects. This isn’t just any deal—it’s expected to focus on “ambitious” and “large-scale theatrical” projects, giving the Duffers the chance to flex their storytelling muscles on an even grander scale. The agreement kicks in after their current Netflix contract wraps up in April 2026, marking the start of a bold new chapter for the brothers and their production company, Upside Down Pictures.
The announcement has been met with excitement from both sides. Matt and Ross themselves expressed their enthusiasm in a statement: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the Paramount family. To be part of that mission is not just exciting – it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. And to do so at a studio with such a storied Hollywood legacy is a privilege we don’t take lightly.” The Duffers also highlighted the personal side of this move, noting the opportunity to reunite with key figures from their early careers: Cindy Holland and Matt Thunell. “They were among the very first to believe in us and an unusual little script we wrote that became Stranger Things. They took a chance on us in 2015, and they’re taking a chance again – we can’t wait to create new stories together.”
Upside Down Pictures will serve as the creative hub for these upcoming projects. Led by the Duffers and their producing partner and company president Hilary Leavitt, the company is poised to handle both TV and feature film content. Reuniting with Cindy Holland, Paramount’s new head of streaming who initially greenlit Stranger Things at Netflix, and Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television, positions the brothers to leverage deep institutional knowledge while exploring new creative avenues. They’ll also collaborate with Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg, who oversee film and series at Paramount, ensuring that the Duffer Brothers’ ideas have maximum reach across all of Paramount’s platforms.
Cindy Holland expressed her excitement about this reunion, saying, “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Matt and Ross for over a decade and worked with them from their earliest stages through their well-deserved global success. We have seen firsthand their extraordinary creative vision and exceptional gift for storytelling. We couldn’t be more excited to reunite and welcome them to Paramount.” Her words underscore the long-standing professional relationship and mutual respect between the Duffers and the studio executives who first believed in their talent.
Dana Goldberg, co-chair of Paramount Pictures and chair of Paramount Television, along with Josh Greenstein, co-chair of Paramount Pictures and vice chair of Platform, also chimed in: “We are thrilled that the incomparable Duffer Brothers are joining our Paramount family. Their singular talent for creating stories and worlds that shape culture sets them apart, and this partnership is a great example of the new Paramount in action – our film, television, and streaming businesses united to offer Matt and Ross the full power of our platforms to tell their best and most ambitious stories yet.”
The timing of this announcement is particularly interesting. Fans are eagerly awaiting the fifth and final season of Stranger Things on Netflix, which promises to wrap up Hawkins’ supernatural saga. Despite moving to Paramount, the Duffers will remain actively involved in Stranger Things and other existing development projects. In fact, their collaboration with Netflix isn’t ending with this deal; it’s simply evolving. “Our time at Netflix has been incredible,” the brothers said. “Ted [Sarandos], Bela [Bajaria], and Peter [Friedlander] have given us the kind of creative freedom and support that artists dream of but so rarely receive. A decade in, they are family.”
The Duffers emphasized that their Netflix relationship will continue alongside their Paramount endeavors. “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. 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.” This approach highlights a rare dual-strategy in Hollywood: maintaining long-term relationships with one platform while expanding opportunities with another, signaling a nuanced approach to creative independence.
For Paramount, landing the Duffer Brothers is more than just a win—it’s a strategic coup. In today’s streaming-saturated entertainment landscape, having a pair of creators with proven global appeal and the ability to generate cultural phenomena is invaluable. Stranger Things didn’t just dominate streaming metrics; it became a global touchstone for pop culture, influencing fashion, music, and even Halloween costumes. By bringing the Duffers into their fold, Paramount is securing access to visionary storytellers capable of replicating—or even surpassing—that level of impact across multiple media forms.
The deal also underscores Paramount’s broader ambition to integrate film, television, and streaming under a unified creative vision. By offering the Duffer Brothers access to every corner of its ecosystem, the studio is signaling its commitment to fostering groundbreaking content without forcing creators to navigate siloed platforms. For the Duffers, this means the ability to develop both high-profile theatrical releases and binge-worthy streaming series, all while maintaining the same creative freedom they enjoyed at Netflix.
Looking at the Duffers’ trajectory, this move seems like a natural progression. Starting with an “unusual little script” that became a global sensation, the brothers have consistently proven their ability to craft compelling narratives with emotional depth, supernatural intrigue, and cultural resonance. Paramount offers them the chance to scale these narratives up even further, moving beyond Hawkins into potentially expansive new universes and original properties. With Upside Down Pictures at the helm, the Duffers can now build a slate of projects that reflect both their vision and Paramount’s ambition for large-scale storytelling.
Industry watchers have speculated that this deal could herald a new wave of genre-defining projects. Known for blending horror, sci-fi, and coming-of-age drama, the Duffers have a knack for creating worlds that feel lived-in yet fantastical. Paramount’s resources could allow them to push these elements even further, experimenting with big-budget effects, star-studded casts, and cross-platform storytelling. It’s not just about making another hit; it’s about building lasting franchises that resonate worldwide.
This partnership also highlights an intriguing dynamic in Hollywood today: the power of trusted creative relationships. By reuniting with executives who first believed in their vision, the Duffers are ensuring a supportive environment where ambition meets experience. It’s a formula that has already proven successful with Stranger Things, and now it’s being scaled up for a broader, more ambitious slate of projects.
In short, this move isn’t just another studio deal—it’s a statement. For Matt and Ross Duffer, it represents the next phase of their careers, a chance to tell bigger, bolder stories while continuing to honor the creative roots that launched them. For Paramount, it’s a bold step toward establishing itself as a one-stop hub for top-tier talent, capable of nurturing franchises that define global pop culture. And for fans, it promises new worlds, new stories, and plenty of the kind of suspense, nostalgia, and heart that have made the Duffers’ work so addictive.
As Hollywood watches closely, one thing is clear: the Duffer Brothers are just getting started, and Paramount is the perfect playground for their next big ideas. With Upside Down Pictures leading the charge, audiences can expect projects that challenge conventions, push boundaries, and deliver the kind of cinematic and streaming experiences that make fans’ jaws drop. The stage is set, the team is in place, and the next chapter of the Duffer legacy promises to be as thrilling as any supernatural showdown in Hawkins.
Login