UPDATE: April Fools! Stranger Things isn't set to end after four seasons or with a movie. But how long can the show run on for?
Netflix is officially ending Stranger Things after four seasons, capping off the popular 80s-set series with a movie. Despite the massive popularity, Netflix is confident that ending on a high will ultimately do the series justice in the long run.
Premiering in 2016, Stranger Things took Netflix by storm. Quickly picking up steam through word-of-mouth, the series doubled as a polished sci-fi series and a dose of nostalgia for its older audience. It followed a group of friends in 1983 (Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin) who attempt to find their missing friend (Noah Schnapp), while also trying uncover the truth behind a mysterious girl (Mille Bobby Brown) who shows up out of nowhere. With the third season approaching this summer, following the longest gap between seasons so far, anticipation is building. Unfortunately, the creators of Stranger Things have announced that the series is coming to an end.
Related: 10 Things We Learned So Far About Season 3 From All The Stranger Things Teasers And Trailers
According to a press release from Netflix, Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer are ending the series with a movie followings its fourth season. Though details are sparse, the movie will stream on Netflix, but its release date - as well as season four's release date - have not been confirmed. Netflix is also considering a limited theatrical run for the movie. In an official statement, the Duffer Brothers stated that they had "planned the ending for a while" and "in order to avoid overkill or the temptation to ride the show's success," ending with a movie after season 4 "feels right." They also confirmed that the series will remain in the 1980s.
The Duffer Brothers had already hinted at Stranger Things ending with season 4, though they have considered that a fifth season is possible. Having seemingly rounded out a complete story with four seasons, it's possible that what might have been planned as the series finale is what the Duffer Brothers will break off into its own feature-length story.
Though there isn't much to go off, considering season 3 hasn't even released yet, fans can definitely expect the narrative in Stranger Things to start wrapping up. All of the mysteries surrounding everything from Eleven to the Upside Down are on their way to getting closure, and as devastating as it may be for fans hoping for an extended run - especially seeing as 2019 is already saying goodbye to so many other popular shows, like Game of Thrones, Veep, and Big Little Lies - a memorable series is as much about entertaining its audience as it is about not overstaying its welcome. And in the case of ending a series with a movie, stranger things have happened.
More: What To Expect From Stranger Things Season 3
Stranger Things season 3 will be available for streaming on July 4, 2019 on Netflix.
Source: Netflix