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Duffers move to Paramount signals shift in streaming power

The Duffer Brothers are negotiating an exclusive deal with Paramount that could reshape where tentpole projects take root.

August 14, 2025 at 07:41 PM
blur Stranger Things Creators Duffer Brothers Exit Netflix for Paramount Deal

The Duffer Brothers are negotiating an exclusive deal with Paramount to create film and television projects.

Stranger Things Creators Duffer Brothers Exit Netflix for Paramount Deal

In Hollywood’s high-stakes dealmaking, the Duffer Brothers are in advanced talks to move to Paramount on an exclusive, overall deal that would emphasize tentpole films and big television events. The arrangement would bring them back into a working relationship with Cindy Holland, Paramount’s head of streaming, and with executives Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg overseeing film and series development.

Even as they pursue a Paramount future, Upside Down Pictures remains tied to Netflix through ongoing projects. Two Netflix series are slated for 2026, The Boroughs with Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard and Alfred Molina, and the relationship horror Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen with Jennifer Jason Leigh. A preview of the animated Stranger Things prequel Tales From ’85 screened at the Annecy Festival in June, and a live-action spin-off is being discussed after the final season of Stranger Things premieres in November.

Key Takeaways

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Paramount aims to lock in a major creator duo for tentpoles
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Upside Down Pictures maintains Netflix collaborations
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Two new Netflix series will anchor the Duffers’ output through 2026
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A Stranger Things animated prequel signals multimedia expansion
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A live-action spin-off could extend the franchise beyond the final season
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The move illustrates rising value of exclusive creator deals in streaming
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Past studio setbacks in the Duffers’ career underpin today’s deal dynamics
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The shift adds pressure on Netflix to retain top talent and partnerships

"The Duffers are in advanced negotiations to exclusively create film and television for Paramount."

central deal described in the reporting

"Upside Down Pictures still has Netflix projects in the pipeline."

ongoing relationship with Netflix confirmed by reporting

"This move shows talent mobility is now a core engine of studio strategy"

editorial insight about industry trend

"Fans and investors will watch how this reshapes the streaming landscape"

public reaction and market implications

This move signals how studios are racing to secure creator-driven tentpoles. By courting the Duffers, Paramount aims to anchor a broader streaming strategy with a proven audience magnet while keeping a channel to Netflix through Upside Down Pictures. The arrangement tests whether talent can effectively juggle two homes, balancing exclusivity with ongoing collaborations. It also highlights a larger industry trend: studios competing not just for finished shows but for the people who conceive them. The industry will watch budgets, timelines, and how cross-studio ties affect creative freedom.

Highlights

  • Power moves shape the next wave of streaming
  • Tentpole projects need storytellers who can scale and sustain
  • Creators carve futures across studios while keeping a Netflix home
  • In a crowded market, relationships with studios matter more than a single show

The Duffers’ next chapter will unfold on a bigger stage.

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