Netflix thinks Stranger Things: Tales From '85 would feel good in a place like AMC Theaters

After decades of pooh-poohing movie theaters, Netflix continues its streak of putting its blockbuster shows in theaters.

By Matt Schimkowitz  |  March 17, 2026 | 4:03pm
Courtesy of Netflix
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Netflix thinks Stranger Things: Tales From '85 would feel good in a place like AMC Theaters

For two decades, Netflix has dug its heels into membership as the best way to fund its billions upon billions of original movies and TV shows. However, since the world’s biggest streamer is running out of people to sell subscriptions to, even its CEO had to walk back criticisms about how “outmoded” movie theaters were. Dumping entire TV seasons or $250 million popcorn movies on a streamer might have been a savvy business plan in 2013, but as streaming prices rise, we’re seeing another millennial lifestyle subsidy die before our eyes. Plus, even the company knows people are just looking at their phones during their productions anyway. So Netflix is holding its nose and slowly but surely learning that it can make an extra couple million by peddling its wares in movie theaters. And what better property to celebrate a throwback like movie theaters than the animated Stranger Things spin-off, Tales From ’85. 

Partnering with its enemy-turned-frenemy, AMC, Netflix is sending the first two episodes of the cartoon spin-off to theaters. A nostalgia play that could teach ’80s-obsessed Stranger Things fans how the old fogies enjoy movies, Tales From ’85 will screen in 34 AMC theaters, as well as the Netflix-owned Paris Theater in New York City and Philadelphia’s Netflix House. However, fans will have to act fast because seating is limited. Screenings will be at 12 PM and 3 PM local time on April 18, five days before the show’s April 23rd premiere on Netflix. Attendees will also receive a special collectible, which better be a Vecna popcorn receptacle, while supplies last. 

Netflix has always been averse to theatrical releases because it prefers people stay on the couch and watch Netflix. But considering Gen Z are the cinema’s fastest growing demographic, the streamer is simply meeting the audience where they’re at. Unfortunately for Netflix, people want to leave the house sometimes.
 

 
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