WASHINGTON — Enthusiasts of “Stranger Things” are faced with an intriguing choice for the series finale: watch from the comfort of home or opt for a cinematic experience.

Netflix has revealed that the climactic, two-hour episode of Season 5 will make its debut in chosen theaters across the U.S. and Canada concurrently with its streaming release, a novel move for the streaming behemoth.

“Stranger Things 5: The Finale” will have limited showings starting Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 5 p.m. Pacific Time in over 350 theaters.

With this simultaneous release, fans have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Hawkins one last time, either from their couch or surrounded by fellow fans in a theater. These screenings are particularly exclusive, scheduled only for Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, as Netflix and theaters aim to create a shared farewell for one of the streaming service’s most beloved series.

The finale caps a staggered holiday rollout for the season. Volume 1, covering Episodes 1–4, premiered Nov. 26 in the U.S. Volume 2, featuring Episodes 5–7, arrives on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and the eighth and final episode drops on the evening of Dec. 31.

Advance movie theater ticket sales for the finale opened on Dec. 2. 

U.S. audiences can book seats through Regal Cinemas, Megaplex Theatres, and major online platforms including Fandango, Atom Tickets, and Ticketmaster. Canadian fans can purchase tickets through Cineplex.

Netflix has traditionally been adverse to allowing its films in theaters, but has relented slightly to give some of its offerings a better chance during award season. Most of the major award shows don’t allow nominees that haven’t been shown in theaters. 

But the scale of the finale, described as the longest episode in the show’s history, and the size of its cultural footprint helped nudge the streamer toward a multiplex farewell.

At the Season 5 world premiere at Hollywood’s TCL Chinese Theatre, co-creator Ross Duffer said releasing the finale in theaters had been a long-held dream. 

He told reporters that Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, helped maintain secrecy around the decision even as she publicly downplayed any theatrical ambitions.

Matt Duffer, Ross’ brother and co-creator, said Netflix initially approached the brothers about separating the finale’s premiere from the earlier episodes. That conversation opened the door to proposing a theatrical event — an idea the creators said they had never formally pitched before.