Stranger Things stage prequel to close in West End and Broadway this winter

Closure announced

Producers of Stranger Things: The First Shadow said on Tuesday that the stage prequel will close its West End and Broadway productions this winter. London's final performance at the Phoenix Theatre is set for 27 December 2026, while the New York engagement at the Marquis Theatre will end on 3 January 2027. The announcement marks the conclusion of a run that saw more than 1.5 million tickets sold across both venues (Netflix told Variety the figure was nearly 1.6 million).

We were stunned - both by the fact that Stephen wanted to do this, and that he believed it could work. And, boy, did it work.

Box office trajectory

The Broadway production enjoyed a Christmas week high of $2.5 million in 2025, coinciding with the release of the TV series' record-breaking fifth season. But momentum cooled quickly: last week grosses fell to $859,339, with attendance at 74% of the Marquis Theatre's capacity. Over the past month, houses hovered between 60 and 70 percent full. The play, which cost an estimated $20 million to mount on Broadway and at least $1 million per week to run, has not recouped its capitalization.

Creative honours

Directed by Stephen Daldry, with Justin Martin as co-director and a script by Kate Trefry from a story by Trefry and Jack Thorne, the show garnered acclaim for its technical wizardry. It won two Olivier awards in London and four Tony Awards on Broadway, including best scenic design, sound design, lighting design and a special honour for illusions.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow represents an unprecedented collaboration between television and theatre, showing what's possible when a world class creative team brings a beloved and iconic series to life on stage.

What's next

Netflix has filmed the stage production but has not announced a release date. The company had hoped the play would extend the franchise much like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. On Monday, competition in the horror genre increased with the announcement that Paranormal Activity is heading to Broadway this summer.