Stranger Things Creators Jump to Paramount in A Blockbuster Deal
The Duffer Brothers sign a massive four-year pact with Paramount for films, TV, and streaming projects.
Paramount has secured a game-changing, exclusive four-year deal with Matt and Ross Duffer, the creative masterminds behind Netflix’s global phenomenon Stranger Things. The agreement, announced on Tuesday, encompasses feature films, television, and streaming projects, marking a significant coup for the studio following its recent acquisition by Skydance Media, led by CEO David Ellison.
The Duffer Brothers, among Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, will transition from Netflix to Paramount in April 2026, after their current Netflix contract concludes. Their production company, Upside Down Pictures, led by the brothers and president Hilary Leavitt, will spearhead upcoming projects.
The deal emphasizes the duo’s ambition to write, produce, and direct large-scale theatrical films, fulfilling a lifelong dream. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining the Paramount family,” the Duffers said in a statement. “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 move reunites the Duffers with Cindy Holland, Paramount’s head of streaming, who greenlit Stranger Things at Netflix, and Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television, a former Netflix executive who also supported the brothers. “We’re excited to reunite with our friends Cindy and Matt, who were among the very first to believe in us and an unusual little script that became Stranger Things,” the Duffers added.
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This high-profile signing aligns with Paramount’s strategy to attract top-tier talent, as articulated by Ellison, who aims to make the studio “the top destination for the most talented artists and filmmakers in the world.” The deal follows other major acquisitions, including a motocross heist film featuring Timothée Chalamet and director James Mangold. With the Duffers’ proven track record of crafting culturally resonant stories, Paramount is poised to amplify its creative output across film, television, and streaming platforms.
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