The future of cinema may not be new movies

Netflix's theatrical presentation of the Stranger Things series finale is estimated to have generated roughly $25m in the US over a 24‑hour New Year event, and exhibitors and distributors are increasingly programming concert films, Broadway recordings and rereleases to draw audiences back to cinemas.

Netflix ran a feature‑length Stranger Things finale in cinemas at the same time as its streaming debut during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Estimates put the 24‑hour box office for those engagements at around $25m in the US. Contractual arrangements meant many attendees reserved seats by buying $20 concession vouchers rather than standard tickets. The event joins a wider pattern of cinemas showing concert films, filmed theatre, and targeted rereleases to bring audiences into theatres. Key facts: - The Stranger Things theatrical engagements began at 8pm on New Year's Eve and continued through New Year's Day, with reported 24‑hour grosses estimated at about $25m and some estimates suggesting over $30m. - At many locations, contractual terms led cinemas to use $20 concession vouchers for seat reservations instead of conventional paid tickets. - Those voucher sales were likely retained by exhibitors rather than split with distributors, making the experiment financially notable for theatres. - Recent examples of event cinema include filmed Broadway shows such as Hamilton and Merrily We Roll Along, concert/album‑release films tied to artists like Taylor Swift and BTS, and Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters engagements. - Distributors and studios also mount targeted rereleases of classics, with companies such as Fathom and studios like Universal booking titles such as Back to the Future and Jaws for special runs on large screens. Summary: Cinema operators and distributors are increasingly leaning on event programming, special screenings and rereleases as a way to create communal outings that streaming alone does not replicate. Undetermined at this time.